Government orders crowning of Prince Eberechukwu Oji as Eze Aro IX, issues staff of office

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Abia State Government Friday directed that Prince Eberechukwu Oji, be crowned by the Community as Eze Aro IX immediately and has same day issued staff of office to the new Eze Aro.

In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, the Abia State Government said it has released a White Paper on the report of the Board of Inquiry into Allegations of Misconduct against HRH, Eze Kanu Nwa Kanu Okereke of Ibom Isii in Arochukwu Kingdom, Arochukwu LGA of Abia State.

According to the statement, the Board which was inaugurated on the 16th of November, 2023, submitted her report to Government on January 8, 2024, stating, “Government duly notes and accepts the recommendations of the Board and hereby declares as follows:

“That HRH Eze Dr Kanu Nwa Kanu, Eze Ibom Isii of Arochukwu Kingdom is hereby sanctioned, and his Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as a Traditional Ruler in Abia State are hereby withdrawn immediately. The Abia State Government hereby affirms that Dr. Kanu Nwa Kanu Okereke ceases to be the Traditional Ruler of Ibom Community/Eze Ibom Isii in Arochukwu Kingdom, Arochukwu LGA; and the Deputy Chairman, Arochukwu Traditional Rulers Council, Abia State.

“Government directs the Ibom Isii kindred to immediately commence the process of producing a new Eze to replace the deposed one (Dr. Kanu Nwa Kanu Eze Okereke).

“Government hereby notes and accepts the Board’s recommendation and declares the action of coronation/installation of Prince Godwin Kanu Idei as Eze Aro IX by HRH Eze Dr Kanu Nwa Kanu Okereke, the deposed Eze Ibom Isii of Arochukwu Kingdom, null and void.

“Government upholds the selection process adopted by the Okennachi Kindred, which produced Prince Eberechukwu Oji as the Eze Aro Designate”.

Following the above scenario, the Abia State Government Friday presented Staff of Office to the newly selected Eze Aro ix (the ninth), HRM Eberechukwu Oji

Presenting the staff of office at the headquarters of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu charged the new Eze Aro to ensure peace, unity, law and order among his people and to rule with the fear of God.

The Commissioner reiterated that government has no hands in the selection process of the new Eze Aro but only followed the constitution in respect to the autonomous communities in the State.

“I want to encourage the people of Aro. They have shown resilience. It’s been a long process of selecting and presenting their Eze. Initially there were issues and there were factions but then, a panel of Inquiry was set up by government, and they gave their recommendations upon which the Government issued a white paper and based on the white paper they were asked to go and do the right thing which they have done and then government has also put a seal of approval on that which the people did.”

“I want to reiterate for the umpteen time, that the overment had no hands in the process of selection of Eze Aro but what the government has always insisted will be that the people follow the processes as documented in the constitution that we have here with us, which guides the autonomous communities and they have done that and His Excellency has given his seal of approval to that which the people have done”

He used the forum to admonish the people of Arochukwu whom he noted have shown resilience to embrace peace in the overall interest of Arochukwu kingdom.

The Commissioner congratulated the Eze Aro and Arochukwu people on the feat they have achieved.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,Mrs Florence Chigbu and the Director, Chieftaincy Affairs Department, Mr Chuka Agomuo explained that the Aro people followed the tradition and passed through due process in selecting their new Eze.

In his response after receiving his staff of office, the Eze Aro, Eze Eberechukwu Oji thanked the Governor for his tireless effort in resolving the ezeship tussle in Arochukwu, stressing that the event marks a turning point in Arochukwu kingdom.

He stated that he would run a peaceful, inclusive and righteous government, adding “This is the dawn of a new era in Arochukwu.

“Today marks a turning point in my life personally and I believe also , a turning point in our journey as a kingdom, the Arochukwu kingdom. I remember with nalstagia the excellence in leadership that my grand father, Mazi Kanu Oji used to run the kingdom and I am trusting God that with the help of the Almighty God that we will follow in his footstep to run a kingdom that is peaceful, a kingdom that is prosperous, a kingdom that is inclusive, a kingdom that unleashes the talent of everyone that belongs to Arochukwu kingdom both young and old.

“It is my desire that we live in unity and we will maintain absolute balance in everything we do and we pursue in the kingdom and that Arochukwu will become a model of what traditional Igbo leadership represents”

The event attracted the presence of the new Eze Ibom Isii, the President General of Nzuko Arochukwu World Wide and many other prominent Aro sons and daughters.

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