Prince Kanu Okoro Oke Nnachi Crowned 9th Eze of Arochukwu Kingdom

Bennett Oghifo

Prince Godwin Kanu Idei Kanu Okoro Oke Nnachi has been crowned as the 9th Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom.

Arochukwu Kingdom is situated North of Abia State, South-east Nigeria. 

A statement issued by a member of the Coronation Oganising Committee, Mazi Agodi Kanu, said His Royal Majesty Godwin Kanu Idei Kanu Okoro Oke Nnachi is the son of late Mazi S. K. Idei and grandson Okoro Oke.

“The Palace is made up of three Ruling families. They are Asi Eko Oke Ruling House, Oji Okoro Oke Ruling House and Kanu Okoro Oke Ruling House. The Asi Eko Oke produced the late sage Eze Kanu Oji that ruled for 73 years having mounted the throne at the age of 14 years. On his demise, the Oji Okoro Oke Ruling House presented the late Eze Vincent Ogbonnaya Okoro.  His death a few years ago immediately produced his son Mazi Prince Obiora Vincent Ogbonnaya Okoro as Arianzu (the messenger of the Eze) pending the proper burial and mourning of the demised Eze and  emergence of new Eze since nature abhors a vacuum. It was in line with established custom and traditions that the next Ruling House, the Kanu Okoro Oke presented Prince Godwin Kanu Idei Kanu Okoro Oke Nnachi as the next Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom.”

The process, the statement said, “started with his Ruling Family presenting him to Oror Village where the Palace is situated and then to Utughugwu where Mazi Ajunwa received him. The Okennachi kindred responsible for presenting new Eze took him to Eze Ibom Isii, HRH Eze Eze Kanu Nwa Kanu who’s the only one in the Kingdom traditionally empowered to cap and crown a King. After interviews and approval, he took him to the shrine and crowned him with the ancient cap that has stayed for over 100 years amid traditional rites and traditional 7 gun salute. Next port of call was the Palace of Eze Eze Agwu   HRH Eze Okoroafor Uroh Okoroafor who received him with a mammoth crowd and marked his palm and wrist with nzu (traditional chalk) signifying acceptance by the gods. The two Royal Fathers and the crowd now matched majestically to Amaikpe where he was formally presented to the whole Arochukwu at home and in Diaspora announcing him as a new Eze Aro, the 9th and custodian of Arochukwu Kingdom culture and traditions.

Since his emergence he has played host to many people and groups both within and outside the Kingdom. The people are happy with the new King Arochukwu was agog and the Palace became a Mecca of some sort,” the statement said.

The new Monarch attended Ziks Avenue Primary school Enugu while his secondary was Methodist College Uzuakoli. HRM is a graduate of Estate Management from University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His Majesty is a Property Developer and Consultant.  He’s well travelled having lived and worked in Europe, Asia, South Africa and Brazil. He’s blessed with two sons.

It is therefore the expectations of Umu Aro that His Majesty will bring his exposure and experiences to bear in driving development in Arochukwu Kingdom and to  jealously protect our rich  cultural and traditional heritage.

Reacting to the development, an elated Mazi Chijioke Okoro said that the emergence of HRM Godwin Kanu Idei was not only divine but deserving in sustenance of the rich Aro succession plan and heritage. He described His Majesty as humane, intelligent and well prepared ahead. For Adamazi Mrs Gladys Oti, it’s a fresh air and new dawn for Aro advancement in view of his exposure, listening ears and digital orientation as she wished him well on the throne. Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, former President General,  Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide and former Chief Executive of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) described the development as the best deal for Aro at this time as he prayed for the success of his reign.

Arochukwu is one of the ancient Kingdoms not only in Nigeria and Africa but in commonwealth Nations. It prides as one of the earliest cities visited by the whites which led to early exposures, education, transnational trades, slave trade and mixed traditional and contemporary culture. It was  this early exposure that led to adventures and exploration of businesses through nomadic  trades among Nde Arochukwu that gave birth to the spread of Arochukwu people nationally and globally through slave trades. This therefore accounts for the vast Arochukwu settlements in every part of Nigeria including Guinea Bissau. It’s a Kingdom with respected cultural and traditional heritage that has endured centuries till date which has largely  accounted for her stability, unity and generational blessings. Perhaps, one outstanding global recognition is Arochukwu on the Scottish Pound note because of the presence of Mary Slessor, a Scottish with strong affinity to Aro who stopped killing of twins.