By Alao Abiodun
The spiritual leader of Aro kingdom and Eze Aro, His Royal Majesty, Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro, CFR will be interred on the April. 5, 2021
Organisers of the event announced the burial proceedings on Friday at a virtual press briefing of the late monarch, monitored by The Nation.
The ceremony which is expected to begin on April 2 will end on April 5.
Activities lined up includes; mourning for all Aros, performance from the Ekpe society, performance from some women counterpart in the community.
Also, there would be a rite conducted round the entire village and on the last day of the burial proceedings, the Eze’s body will be laid to rest with 21-gunshot salute.
The organisers noted that no fewer than nineteen villages of the Aro Kingdom will perform with their various dance troupes.
They also stated that the entire Aro nation is mourning because there is only one king leading the Aro society.
The Chairman, Publicity Committee, Eze Aro national rites of passage, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor in his remarks said the demise of the monarch is a sad one for the Aro community.
He further stated that this period is an opportunity for the Aros to showcase their deep sense of tradition.
The Secretary, National rites of passage Mazi Anicho Okoro in his address explained that the demise of the Late Eze Aro is an important landmark which signifies the end of an era.
“It is a challenging moment for the Aros when he joined his ancestors. We thank God for giving him opportunity to preside over the kingdom.
“This ceremony is a solemn one, we want to use this opportunity to tell the world how unique the Aros are and still in the business of humanity.”
The Chairman, National Rites Of Passage Committee, Prof. Okoro Ijoma while speaking on Aro Kingdom and its royalty, described the late monarch as a shining light during his 25 years reign.
He said, “We lost a great monarch, he has joined our ancestors. We are mourning in one form, and in another we are celebrating Arochukwu.”
“The event is to celebrate him, Aro and what the monarchy stood for,” he added.
Commenting on how the Aros have universally been known for ages to be a distinct people among the Igbo, Mazi Ugochukwu explained that different elements have binded the Aros together including, the music, tradition and indeed every Aro man wants to come back home.
“We’ve created a value system that deals with ethics more than financial gains or money,” he said.
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