Confusion, at the outset, seemed to have dogged the 2023 IkejiAro celebrations, following the emergence of two different calendars to herald events lined up forcultural fiesta. Usually, a few months to the event, a calendar detailing the dates for the various cultural activities is released to the Aro public at home and the Diapora communities, which ought to be adhered to, in marking the festival. This year’s calendar was released and signed by Ojeozi Arianzu Aro, Mazi Augustine Okoro, jointly supported by Mazi Kanu Okereke Kanu, Eze Ibom Isii and Mazi Okorafor Uror, Eze Ezeagwu.
On the basis of the calendar, Aros started making preparations for the event. However, a few days after the first calendar was released, a second calendar started circulating, this time signed by Mazi Oji Kanu Oji, the former Arianzu Aro with the backing and support of Umu Otusi, a development that raised eyebrows. But promptly, the President-General of Nzuko Arochukwu, Sir Dozie Udensi and other prominent Umu Aro quickly intervened with a view to douse the tension, and get the second calendar withdrawn. Initially, their efforts seemed to have hit a brick wall as the camp of Mazi Oji Kanu Oji remained adamant, insisting that their calendar is the authentic one, having met all the traditional requirements precedent in Ogugu Ikeji.
They claimed that their calculation follows the old tradition, which stipulates that Ikeji Aro takes place after that of the neigbouring Ututu community. At the time of filing this story (September 6, 2023), the situation was yet to be resolved, raising fears of having two parallel Ikeji celebrations – an abnormally that has never been heard of.
Indeed, while the calendar signed by Mazi Augustine Okoro listed Sunday September 3, 2023 as the Afor Okpo Ga Aza Awada, the one signed by Mazi Oji Kanu Oji gave its date as Monday, September 11. In the first calendar, Eke Ekpe Aro – the culmination of all the events lined up forthe celebration – is scheduled to hold on Thursday, September 21, 2023 whereas the second calendar picked Friday, September 29 as the D-day. Various peace initiatives have been made including meetings of Ndi Eze. Ndi Eze Ogo, Nzuko Aro and its patrons, but all seemed (at the time writing this story) to have yielded no positive outcome.
Apparently hamstrung, Nzuko Aro – which organises the festival – had gone ahead with its preparations on the basis of the first released calendar. They have invited dignitaries to the event, and publicizing the event with the jingles on radio and various social media platforms, etc. Indeed Umu Aro have called on those concerned to do the needful, to enable them make travelling plans for the event. It remains to be seen how the crisis will be resolved as both parties have remained adamant and have held on to their positions.
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