NEWS XTRA

NEWS XTRA

DAY NDI-EZE VISITED AROCHUKWU WITH THE HOLY BIBLE (proof read)

………………RETURN TO GOD, they demand
By Elder Isaac Onoh
2011 edition of Eke –Ekpe, the peak of the age-long traditional new yam festival of Arochukwu people, IKEJI, was reported to have witnessed HRH Eze Okorafor Uro, Eze Ezeagwu kindred in Arochukwu kingdom, offering Christian prayers to declare the festival open.
Many were said to be taken aback as Eze Uro is a known die-hard traditional, just as his Ibom Isii counterpart, Eze Dr. Kanu Nwa Kanu Okereke.
However, recent events in Arochukwu kingdom tend to explain what could be termed a reformation on the part of Eze Uro, traditional rulership and traditional affairs. Of course this is the era of transformations.
Recently, a group of traditional rulers from Igbo land paid a visit to Arochukwu kingdom with a straight massage, “Return Ndigbo to their rightful position with Jehovah God”.
Led by HRH, Eze Chukwuma Tony Okoro, Nwachukwu I of Umudikeukwu Autonomous Community, Oboro, in Ikwuano local government area, Abia State, the visiting team was warmly received at Eze Aro’s Palace at Oror Arochukwu by Rev. Joshua Kanu Oji, Royal Assistant to Eze Aro of Arochukwu kingdom.
Also at the reception were leaders of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the Christian Council Nigeria, CCN, and other Christian faithfuls in Arochukwu.
HRM Eze Ogbonnaya Okoro, the Eze Aro, was unavoidably absent but Eze-Ibom Isii and Eze Ezeagwu were on hand to receive their colleagues in the traditional way and warmly welcomed them to Arochukwu kingdom. Soon after, Eze CT Okoro, leader of the team introduced his delegation which included HRH Azuike Nwegege of Ogbor Hill, Aba; HRH Godwin Agbanyim of Amike, Orlu; HRH Bob Ezuma of Okigwe; HRH Daniel Chima Emerole of Ehime Mbano and Moses of Ikwnano, Abia State.
Others in the entourage included Bishop Dr. Victor Isiodu, a medical practitioner from Mbieri, Imo State, Rev. John Uka and wife from Assemblies of God Church, Oboro, Abia State, Pastor John Ukeje of Alayi Bende local government area, Abia State and Mr. Moses Mbagwu of ECWA Church.
AIM OF COMING:
The leader, HRH, Eze CT Okoro, opened up by disclosing that their mission in going round Igbo land was “to return Ndigbo to their rightful position with Jehovah God in order that they might regain their lost glory in the scheme of things, like the Jews, whom God blessed through Abraham”
He thundered “Olu nadara anyi dika ndi Igbo onadara Ndi Jew” (meaning the voice that beckoned on the Jews is similarly beckoning on Ndi Igbo), adding that it is for the same vision that the team also spoke to Ndi Eze Aguleri, Agukwunri Anambra State and Ndi Eze Owerri-Nchi Ise, among other traditional kingdoms
Eze Okoro further revealed that his team had also visited Enugu State during which they prevailed on the state governor, Barrister Sullivan Chime, to re-open the former Eastern House of Chiefs’ building abandoned since 1969. He said the governor obliged them paving way for the group to hold a seminar in the House between 1 and 3 June, 2011.

Rounding up on the mission for the visit, the traditional ruler, acknowledging Arochukwu as a great and historic kingdom declared that the ancient town cannot be left out in the crusade of reclaiming the land for Christ, adding, “ Ndi Eze ought to pray without ceasing,” citing Revelations chapter 5 verse 10; Acts 26: 8-9, and 17-19. He continued, “In the olden days some traditions were bad, and now God wants us, Ndi Eze, to change completely to worship the true God through His Son, Jesus Christ our Saviour. We Ndi Igbo rightly claim to be Jews the blessed race of the world” and asked theoretically, “If so, how do we copy the Jews?”
He admitted “that Ndi Igbo have offended God in certain areas for which we suffer some self-backs and therefore need repentance”.
Contributing Bishop Victor Isiodu who appeared to be the arrow-head of the mission stated that though he was satisfied and comfortable as a Medical Practitioner, he continued to be disturbed by calls from Above to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Medical Doctor from Mbieri, Imo State, told his audience that he was spiritually arrested in 1998 and God specifically directed him to commence the crusade by concentrating on Ndi Eze in Igbo land. According to him, “I felt not qualified to do it, but later reasoned that like other prophets of the Bible, I should give it a trial”.
He said his first port of call was Enugu where he met the Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, who not only received him, but readily agreed to re-open the abandoned House of Chiefs.
Dr. Isiodu lamented that most Ezes in Igbo land have lost their respects and dignity compared to traditional rulers in Hausa and Yoruba lands, emphasizing that Ndi Igbo could regain their lost glory only if they can return to God. He quoted copiously from Deuteronomy 28:1-4 to stress the benefit derivable from the face of God.
“We have come to assure Ndi Eze Igbo that they could regain the lost glory only if they turn to God”, he told Ndi Eze present, adding, “ The blessings were lost because of sins we commit every day and worse, we refuse to repent”.
Expressing enthusiasm for visiting the historic Arochukwu kingdom for the first time, and the privilege of speaking with the Eze Aro and other royal fathers of the kingdom, Dr Isiodu described Arochukwu people as intelligent and ubiquitous, declaring, “Aro are great Ambassador of Nid Igbo”.
Also visiting Arochukwu for the first time is HRH Bob Ezuma of Okigwe, who said his father was brought up in Amannagwu village, a relationship he guessed, gave rise to his name Ezuma which happened to be Aro’s native name.
Let Ndi Eze Aro be Christians:
Apparently Aro Ezes, considering their strict adherence to cultures and traditions, Bishop Dr Isiodu referred his audience to II Chronicles 7:14, and said that Ndi Eze should use example of the king of Nineveh and Jonah where the king repented and caused his people and animals to fast, pray, repent and trust God to deliver Ndi Igbo.
Concluding, he told Aro Royalty. “This is our first visit. We shall come again, this time you will invite us to speak to all Aros” and ended with a wish, “Let Ndi Eze Aro be Christians!!
In a similar vein, the leader of the Royal Evangelical Team to Arochukwu, Eze Chukwuma Tony Okoro, after narrating the experience of the Jews and their leader, Moses as recorded in Exodus 32, likened Ndi Igbo to the Jews, and Ndi Eze, a semblance of Moses in the Bible. He admonished Aro to drop the worship of idols in order to escape the wrath of God as to experience progress in the land.

Eze Okoro recalled that the Jews removed all their idols thereby attracted the face of God and ultimately made progress. In like manner, he urged his colleagues to turn to the true God for abundant blessings to flow. “My good people of Arochukwu set a good example by denouncing idols and the leadership (Ndi Eze) should now be embracing Christ for salvation,” he urged.
In his response, Dr Kanu Nwa Kanu, Eze Ibom Isii, stated, “We have heard all the impressive things you said and we thank you. We had heard the good news before. Your wonderful message is inspiring indeed. We urge you to continue the good work”.
His counterpart in Ezeagwu, Eze Okorafor Uror made a remark which tended to give approval of the message. He said, “Christianity came into Arochukwu in 1904 when Miss Mary Mitchell Slessor first landed at Amasu, Arochukwu, on 24 December, 1904. We Ndi Eze regard Juju as of no effect more just as my grand father and other converts then denounced idol worship and accepted Christ as their Saviour. We will continue to follow their steps and help the Gospel to spread”.
Any wonder, then, Eze Okorafor Uror of Ezeagwu offered Christian prayers at the traditional festival of Ikeji?
The highlight of the ceremony was the distribution of copies of the new Igbo Bible and other religious books to all present. However, the question which seems to be on the lips of some observers is, with the seeming tacit acceptance of Christian religion in the affairs of Arochukwu, particularly Ikeji, which procedures and processes are mainly traditional, what becomes of the festival? What next? The answer seems lie to the womb of time.




AROCHUKWU “OKADA” RIDERS PROTEST (Proof Read)
Commercial motorcycle riders popularly called Okada riders, on the 13th day of July being Nkwo Market protested over the so many check points by the Mobile Policemen and other Policemen.
The protest had started on the 13th day of July 2011 being a market day “NKWO” valued within Arochukwu kingdom and other communities around. For the protest to be effective the chairman of the Okada riders Association, Mazi Monday Oluche, aka Mutum, said they barred their members from-operating the Asaga- Amuvi route and that defaulters were to pay fine of three thousand naira to the Association.
As early as 9.00am on the day in question, scores of motorcyclist carrying green leaves had taken to the road leading from “Nkwunabuo” junction in Amangwu village to “Agbata-uzo” in Amuvi.
No sooner had the protest began than some youths, suspected to be supporters of the Okada riders, joined them and there was confusion. There was pandemonium and this caused fears among traders who were trekking to “Ahia Agbatauzo” in Amuvi village, parents also rushed to pick their children from schools for fear of an attack and other developments.
Residents along the road stayed indoors for hours and shops also closed to prevent looting by hoodlums among the Okada riders.
The Okada riders were later spoken to by an elderly statesman who would not want his name mentioned. The Omu Aro also gathered that several delegations have been made to Arochukwu D.P.O who promised to do something and advised the protesters to be peaceful in their demonstration.
Concerned citizens are calling on the Eze Ogo Amuvi, Mazi T.W Okoroji, Mazi Okafor Okoronkwo, Eze Ogo Asaga, and other stakeholders of Arochukwu kingdom to intervene and save the people from untold hardship of trekking from their residents to their business area, more especially from our neighbouring community Okobo, which is the food basket of the L.G.A and the State. A stitch in time, it is said, saves nine.
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