Welcome to my platform again! This is Aro Onyokometer, the eye and the nose of Arochukwu Kingdom where we see far ahead of you. Aro Onyokometre sees the happenings in all Aro villages and says it the way it is. That is why this Column is a most read. We gossip the truth.
Today, we have no intention of reporting about anything Aro. We wanted to sound abstract in my storyline. Don’t ask me why: of course, I will not tell you; but I have reasons you don’t need to bother in this edition. But just go with me. I have questions on my table, asked by Umuaro. These questions came after listening to the palace radio program I anchored on radio nick named “From Aro Palace.” The program is on BCA radio 88.1 FM, Family Love 99.9 FM Umuahia and on Magic FM Aba. These questions look strange and I had wondered why a typical Aro man can ask such question. At first, I thought I could ignore it, but later decided to respond to it to help many other Umuaro who found themselves in the same quagmire. Perhaps, the questions asked have to do with ignorance or may be, they may not have been born when the subject matter referred to was part of Aro leadership so they need our help to help many others in similar circumstances.
It is also important we address this issue to enlighten Aro community of several structures His Eminence, Eze (Dr.) Eberechukwu Oji is putting in place to widen the scope of leadership of Aro for effective management and objectively. His Eminence wants to ensure that all the (19) villages in Aro are awake to their responsibilities and to operate within the ambits of the exalted stool of Eze Aro. You will agree with me that since His Eminence Eze Aro the 9th was crowed in July, 2024, he has put in place several machineries to return Arochukwu Kingdom to its past glory. New things abound everywhere in the kingdom. Now let us look at these questions they asked me:
- What is Okpankpo Aro? Does it still exist?
- Who occupy Okpankpo Aro or who are members of Okpankpo Aro?
- What are their duties to Aro Kingdom?
- Does their duty affect Village functions?
- Can they interfere in community affairs?
Many questions to ask. I want to recall that Mazi Emma Kanu Ivi (Ogene Ukwu Aro) had early written elaborately on the origin of Okpankpo Aro and its role in the Kingdom. And so, I will advise you look for a copy of the write up and that book answered these questions. Mazi Kanu Ivi did a comprehensive analysis of the foundation of Okpankpo Aro, its function and benefits to the Kingdom. Also Prof. Okoro Ijoma documented Okpankpo Aro.
I am also aware that His Eminence understood the value of “Okpankpo” as a catalyst that would help his leadership style before his decision to import it into his administration. He is looking for a perfect leadership in the Kingdom. He sees the Okpankpo Aro as a stronghold of his leadership since this structure was the opium of the success of the leadership of his late grandfather, the legend Mazi Kanu Oji who ruled Aro Kingdom for 73 years to the glory of the kingdom. And so, Okpankpo Aro is not strange in Aro leadership. It has been around with previous administrations in the Kingdom.
The only snag here is that Okpankpo Aro and its effectiveness depended on who was on the stool of Eze Aro, his leadership styles and so on. That was may be, why Okpankpo Aro was albert not effective in the past Aro leadership under the watch of late Eze Vincent Ogbonna Okoro (CFR).
And now, let me answer the questions on Okpankpo Aro. The concept of Okpankpo Aro is not new to the kingdom as said earlier; it is an established part of Aro organogram. It has come of age. Okpankpo Aro therefore is the Supreme Court of justice in Aro Kingdom. Okpankpo is like the Supreme Court of Nigeria. That is the final judgment in the country (Okwucha-Ogwu) in all matters in the kingdom. That in a nutshell is the function of Okpankpo Aro.
Okpankpo Aro in the language of Eze Aro, His Eminence Eze (Dr.) Eberechukwu Oji can discuss any matter under the sun in the Kingdom-villages, and kindred. Okpankpo Aro can form committees and assign responsibilities to them and get recommendations from such committees and work with it to conclusion.
Okpankpo Aro handles matters that could not be decided at community level, (Imeulo levels), compound level, kindred level and even Eze Aro-in-Council and when Okpankpo Aro gives a final judgment on such matters, that is final. That is why the choice of this team was a challenge to Eze Aro. The reason is because the choice must involve elites, people with great wisdom, integrity, honest, fearless, eloquence, experience and willingness to serve. Therefore members are drawn from across Aro best personalities from among Ndi Ezeogo, and other personality of note. You must be known and tested head for you to be made a member. This is against the backdrop of this argument by Mazi Okoroafor Uror-Eze Ezeagwu Na Okwaragwu who said that past Okpankpo Aro members were made up of only Ndi Ezeogo and nobody else, an argument Prof Okoro Ijoma dismissed as not true, pointing out that members of past Okpankpo Aro were mixed in selection.
Members of previous Okpankpo Aro according to Prof. Okoro Ijoma, a Professor of History, in Aro culture were drawn from both Ndi Ezeogo and other prominent Aro sons. Prof Okoro Ijoma also has a book to tell this story better. Find it and read. Therefore, Okpankpo Aro under the leadership of his Eminence, Eze Oji Eberechukwu Oji was inaugurated on 19 th April, 2025 at Ukwuovo in Arochukwu kingdom. His Eminence announced, the list of Okpankpo members which he said was assembled after due consultations with the kindred Ezes and other prominent Aro. Before the inauguration proper, he announced the following Aro sons as members of the new Okpankpo Aro:
His Eminence Eze (Dr.) Eberechukwu Oji – (Chairman), HRH Eze Amos Ngwu Egbo Okoro – Eze Ibom Isii (1st Deputy Chairman), HRH Eze Okoroafor Uror – Eze-Eze Agwu na Okwara Agwu (2nd Deputy Chairman) Mazi Bassey Nwosu – Ezeogo Amukwa (deceased), Mazi Charles Kanu Okoro – Ezeogo Atani (Member), Mazi. Thomas Okoroji – Ezeogo Amuvi (Member), Mazi Nnadozie Udensi – DG (Nzuko Aro worldwide) – (Member), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa -(Member), Mazi Emmanuel Kanu Ivi – (Member), Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor – (Member), Mazi Sonny Allison – (Member), Mazi Justice Onwuchekwa Rtd. (Member), Mazi Lawson Obasi-(Sobaz)(Member), Mazi O.J. Nnanna (Member), Mazi Prof. Okoro Ijoma -(Member), Mazi Sir. David Imoko- (Member), Mazi Uzoma Nwankwo (Member), Mazi (Dr.) Kanu Ohuche – (Member), Mazi Sir Anicho Okoro-(Member), Mazi Sir Prof. A. S. Amaramiro – (Member), Mazi (Barr.) Ogbonnaya Torty – (Member), Mazi Udo Chijioke- (Member), Mazi P.C. Okoro (Member), Mazi (Dr.) Orji Ogbonnaya Orji – (Member) and Mazi Raphael Onoh – (Member).
Those were members of the new Okpankpo Aro inaugurated on the 19th April, 2025. While inaugurating the team, Eze Aro charged them to be firm and steadfast in the discharge of their duties to the Kingdom. “You have to be diligent, honest, loving, and show patriotism in your service to the Kingdom”. As an apex and highest cultural and traditional system of governance in the Kingdom, it is expected that members would bring all it takes to move the
kingdom forward even as they take their oaths of office.
That is the team Eze Aro is working with in his dream for a new Aro. That is the new Okpankpo Aro under the leadership of Eze Aro at a glance. That is Aro first eleven team. The movers and shakers of Aro Kingdom. This is the last bus-stop for your unresolved cases. Okpankpo Aro is unarguably the final decision making body in all Aro cases. It is as simple as that.
Today, the body has had their median meeting after inauguration, on the 19th April, 2025. That was chaired by his Eminence Eze (Dr.) Eberechukwu Oji who painstakingly enumerated the focus of the new Okpankpo Aro. They will hold meetings four times in one calendar year during Aro festivals, Example Easter period, Coronation anniversary, Ikeji Aro festival and Christmas periods.
According to Eze Aro, that principally is to enable those returning home during those periods to attend Okpankpo meetings. He announced committees as Finance, Home Affairs, Secretariat, Business and legal Committees. Eze Aro also announced their terms of references. He announced some positions and appointments but added that because those appointed were not consulted, they have the opportunity to sleep over their appointments and make their intensions known when they meet again. He enunciated his concept of Aro renaissance which he said was a re-birth of Aro Kingdom where “Aro Ulo Na Aro Uzo” would work in collaboration for the peace, growth and development of the Kingdom. His Eminence, Eze (Dr.) Eberechukwu Oji Eze Aro’s also spoke on the need for Eze Aro’s secretariat, staff, setting up a foundation that will house finances for Aro projects, Code of conduct for Okpankpo members, their identity and respect at functions etc. He equally spoke on the expectation of the leadership of Okpankpo Aro in the next one year in areas of Kingdom security, Diaspora outreach, promotion of Eze Aro throne, planning of Aro major events, tourism, Eze Aro’s Palace, Aro project and media which he said has made him proud.
Those are the settings of the new Okpankpo Aro, the last bus-stop for all Aro issues. You now know what Aro Okpankpo is all about, its functions, dos and don’ts. You now know your members of Okpankpo Aro and what the body is set up to achieve. You now know that Okpankpo Aro has been living with previous Eze Aros but may be, not noticed because of who was on the throne.
But today, because of the vibrant nature of the new Eze Aro – His Eminence Eze (Dr.) Eberechukwu Oji, Okpankpo Aro is real, and equally an institution to rely on in Aro leadership. And so, we congratulate his Eminence Eze (Dr.) Eberechukwu Oji for his focus and determination to return the Kingdom to its past glory. Carry go “The good news is that today you have the support all “Umuaro” in your struggle to rebuild Aro kingdom and God will see you through. Let me now welcome you to Ikeji Aro 2025. Come and enjoy the beauty of Aro culture and tradition.Once again we congratulate you and wish you well ‘Long live His Eminence, Long live Arochukwu Kingdom, Long live Abia State.
