Abia State Government has formally presented the Staff of the Office to the newly selected Eze Aro IX (the ninth), His Royal Majesty Eberechukwu Oji.
Presenting the staff of office at the headquarters of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, on Friday, the Commissioner, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, charged the Eze Aro to ensure peace, unity, law and order among his people and to rule with the fear of God.
The Commissioner reiterated that the government had no hands in the selection process of the new Eze Aro, but only followed the law of the land concerning 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 the Government, and they gave their recommendations upon which the Government issued a white paper 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 umpteenth time, the Government had no hands in the process of selection of Eze Aro, but what the government has always insisted is that the people follow the process as documented in the constitution that we have here with us, that 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,” the Commissioner explained.
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 had achieved.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs Florence Chigbu, and the Director, of the 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 ship tussle in Arochukwu, stressing that the event marked a turning point in the Arochukwu Kingdom.
He stated that he would run a peaceful, inclusive, and righteous government, adding that it was 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 nostalgia the excellence in leadership that my grandfather, Mazi Kanu Oji used to run the kingdom and I trust God that with the help of the Almighty God, we will follow in his footsteps to run a peaceful kingdom, a prosperous kingdom, an inclusive kingdom, a kingdom that unleashes the talent of everyone that belongs to Arochukwu Kingdom, both young and old.
“I 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,” Eze Oji declared.
The event attracted the presence of the new Eze Ibom Isii, the President General of Nzuko Arochukwu worldwide, and many other prominent Aro sons and daughters.

Picture: Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, congratulates the new Eze Aro, HRM Eberechukwu Oji, after handing him the Staff of Office, while his wife watches.