Let me welcome you to another edition of Aro News. A quarterly news tabloid for Aro entertainment, education and information. This is ikeji Aro 2023 edition and Aro onyokometer paid a courtesy call on Eze Otusi Aro in Ugwuakuma village, Mazi Onoh Ivi, to know how prepared he is towards meeting Aro ancestors in this year’s Ikeji Aro festival. In this exclusive chat with Aro onyokometer, Mazi Onoh Ivi explained his preparations and willingness to perform the traditional rites on behalf of the kingdom.
Mazi Onoh Ivi: I am ready, well fortified to carry out this primary assignment for Aro kingdom. I have been in solitary mood, reserved and preserved because I know what is involved. To accept to be Eze Otusi Aro is not an easy assignment because you have to prepare yourself for the task ahead. You have to be holy because you are going to meet Aro ancestors at close range on behalf of Aro kingdom. I am going to handover Aro security, peace and progress into their hands and perform the rituals involved. I have to call the Aro gods to take over the land and restore peace and tranquility. That is all that is required.
Captain’s media: Mazi, how do you prepare for this journey to meet Aro ancestors?
Mazi Onoh Ivi: That is left for me. This is not your news. Once you are made Eze Otusi you know the rules of engagement and adhere strictly to them or go in for it.
Captain’s media: Go in for it, meaning?
Mazi Onoh Ivi: I don’t know. That is my answer. Take it like that!
Captain’s media: But Mazi are you saying it is a risk to be Eze Otusi?
Mazi Onoh Ivi: I don’t know. Am I not living; it is an assignment for Aro kingdom.
Captain’s media: So how do you prepare?
Mazi Onoh Ivi: This man! What do you want to hear? Once ikeji Aro calendar is out, my life changes as well. There are many things I have to avoid. I prepare my home because I will be away from my home for the period of the ceremony. From Avor Okpo na Aza Awada to the day of Nwupu mai, I have no business elsewhere. Are you okay with the answer?
Captain’s media: Thank you Mazi but…
Mazi Onoh Ivi: But what? I have finished with you ooo!
Captain’s media: Thank you Mazi Ivi but you are not answering my questions the way people will understand your role. Mazi, how do you relate with Aro ancestors, what do you do tell them about Aro and how do they react to the happenings in Aro today?
Mazi Onoh Ivi: Captain, Captain, Captain, how many times did I call you? There are things you want to hear that cannot be discussed here. Don’t push me too hard and far.
What I told you is simple. I go to Awada Aro, where Aro ancestors assemble every Ikeji festival with their food and drinks from Umuamadi Aro. The purpose is to let them know that, in line with the origin of Aro, they are remembered. That what they established we should do will continue to be done for them till the end of time. I will ask for Aro protection, peace, and development, etc.
Captain’s media: How long is this festival?
Mazi Onoh Ivi: Don’t forget it is a yearly festival and comes up every September. There is always a calendar drawn by the three Aro ancestral Ezes and signed by Eze Aro or Arianzu if Eze Aro had joined his ancestors or as the case may be. Once the calendar is out and shared in Aro villages, preparations begin traditionally, while Nzuko Aro takes over the planning and execution of the ceremonial aspect of the festival, basically for Eke Ekpe day. Nzuko Aro indeed sees to it that Eke Ekpe day is symbolic and spectacular as a world-class ceremony which even heads of states and other dignitaries from all walks of life attend. I have to thank past and present Nzuko Aro leadership for taking Eke Ekpe Day in Aro calendar to another level. I hear it is going to be something else this year looking at many innovations. But this year’s Ikeji Aro calendar has a snag. Two calendars are flying.
Captain’s media: Thank you, Mazi Onoh Ivi. I heard you mention that two Ikeji calendars are before you?
Mazi Onoh Ivi: Yes, two calendars are before me. One drawn by Mazi Oji Kanu Oji, who said he is the oldest man in the royal house and most qualified to prepare the Ikeji Aro calendar and has been doing so in the past. The other calendar was drawn by the kindred Ezes – HRH Eze Dr. Kanu Nwa Kanu, Ibom isii, HRH Eze Okoroafor Uror Eze- Eze Agwu, and HRH Mazi Augustine Kanu Okoro of Okennachi.
Captain’s media: Which of these two calendars are you using, or are you using the two to celebrate the 2023 Ikeji Aro festival?
Mazi Onoh Ivi: This is the crux of all the questions. I know you will ask the question. Well, Captain my brother, I saw the two Ikeji calendars. One from Mazi Oji Kanu Oji and the other one from Mazi Augustine Kanu Okoro, Arianzu Aro. It was strange even seeing Ikeji calendar in July. What happened? I asked? But you now know that trouble was looming!
Meanwhile, Nzuko Aro you represent was busy investing money and dissipating energy on the Ikeji calendar drawn by Arianzu Augustine Kanu Okoro because that’s what they received as calendar for the festival. That calendar was what Nzuko Aro was using to prepare for the festival before Mazi Oji Kanu’s calendar emerged from the blues, which is the confusion we have presently.
However, Captain, as Umu Otusi, I have had several meetings with Umu Otusi in Aro kingdom to resolve this impasse. The President General of Nzuko Aro also had a crucial meeting with Umu Otusi at Eze Aro’s palace and pleaded that Umu Otusi should let go of this agitation and present their case after the festival. The PG said that he would have asked questions on why there were two calendars if he had received them before Nzuko Aro’s preparations for the festival. He appealed to everyone concerned to sheath their swords and allow the calendar signed by Arianzu Mazi Augustine Ogbonnaya Okoro to be used for this year’s ceremony. Umu Otusi Aro can later file in their protest against future preparations of that ancient document – Ikeji Aro calendar. I know Mazi Oji Kanu will appreciate this appeal as the father of Aro tradition and oldest in the palace.
Captain’s media: Thank you Eze Otusi Aro for your time, anything more?
Mazi Onoh Ivi: Thank you too, Captain of the people, Ikemba Aro, Arianzu of Ugwuakuma village, you are doing great for us. You are indeed a true son of Aro. God will bless you in your struggles to restore peace, which you have graciously achieved in Ugwuakuma. You have served us well because Ugwuakuma is now working together as a team.
Let me thank the past and present leadership of Nzuko Aro for their roles in sustaining the legacies of their forefathers during Ikeji festivals. They should not allow the tempo to go down, rather it should be sustained. I am very glad to observe that Nzuko Aro has brought great innovations into the Eke Ekpe day celebration, which has suddenly become a carnival with great prizes and rewards to promote Aro culture. That effort is commendable.
We are all ready for this year’s event. Expectations are high, and I pray for a successful ceremony this year. Let me emphasize that Ugwuakuma village, as the ancestral home of Aro ancestors, is ready to do the needful. As the Chief Priest, I am ready to host Umu Otusi Aro all through the event and offer those traditional sacrifices. It is time to feed and appreciate our ancestors for their roles in protecting and caring for the kingdom for this past one year.
I have met with Umu Otusi Aro and those of Ugwuakuma village, and all are ready to play their roles in the festival. Everyone is welcomed.
Let me conclude by reminding the Nzuko Aro leadership of the need to also recognize Eze Otusi and Umu Otusi Aro for their roles in Aro tradition. Eze Otusi is not for Ugwuakuma alone but for the kingdom. He should be remembered at all times. For example, it takes a lot of funds to meet the traditional requirements of Awada Aro Okeigbo during the festival, which will last for seventeen holy days. In the time passed, funds and arrangements to host Umu Aro at Awada Aro Okeigbo during the festival has been the sole responsibility of Ugwuakuma and Eze Otusi as the Chief Priest. The burden has not been easy, but I have moved on. That is why Eze Otusi Aro should be recognized as other Ezes in Aro. We leave you with this appeal.
I thank the current President General of Nzuko Aro – Mazi Dozie Udensi – (Ugwu Aro) for his visits some time ago. That is good for me as the Chief Priest of Aro kingdom. That is an honor to me as well. Thank you so much for your great assistance in all areas of my service in Aro kingdom. I wish the kingdom a very successful outing at the 2023 Ikeji Aro festival. May peace reign throughout this period and beyond.
Captain’s media: Thank you Eze Otusi Aro, say me well to our ancestors and good luck in this assignment.
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