Uda Nkwa: Legacies Of Eze Aro VII, Mazi Kanu Oji, Revisited

By John Okoro*

The drumbeat echoed memories of Nigeria’s longest-serving monarch, whose legacies extended across generations.

On February 2, 2025, an elite audience in Lagos witnessed Uda Nkwa, a Command Performance depicting the legendary reign of His Majesty Mazi Kanu Oji, Eze Aro VII of the Arochukwu Kingdom.

The play, scripted by Dr Ikechukwu Erojikwe of UNN, was produced by Joseph Edgar and hosted in honour of Eze Aro IX, His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji, at the prestigious Terra Kulture on Victoria Island.
The Lagos episode, like the first public performance in Arochukwu Kingdom on December 27 as part of the events marking the 2024 Aro Day celebration, was a big show that drew top socialites, industry titans, art and culture aficionados, clergy, and foreign nationals.

The stage show, performed by a cast of young and talented artists, depicted the legendary Eze Kanu Oji’s exceptional leadership sagacity, which earned him British Empire honours.
The play depicted how the legendary Eze Aro used his God-given wisdom to resolve otherwise contentious issues and keep his kingdom peaceful during his 73-year reign.

Following the captivating theatre performance at Terra Kulture, guests were treated to a delicious refreshment spread graciously hosted by the group’s chairman, Princewill Utchay.

A symbolic evening commemorating the life of the legendary Eze Kanu Oji took place under the impressive glow of decorative string led lights at the Prime Chinese Restaurant on Victoria Island.

As the night progressed, vibrant Aro cultural dances intertwined with the rhythmic steps of Urhobo performers, led by Olorogun Oskar Ibru, who energised the atmosphere and got everyone on their feet.

The celebrations echoed the Aro Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, which was renowned for its spirit and unity.

The event had sentimental significance, as it served not only as a celebration of the current Eze Aro, but also as a poignant reminder of a gathering 24 years ago. On March 12, 2001, the then-Eze Aro, Eze Ogbonnaya Okoro, CFR, was warmly welcomed at the same venue, kicking off the Aro 2002 Centenary Commemoration of the Aro-British War.

The night felt like a beautiful continuum of tradition and respect for leadership as it commemorated the iconic Eze Kanu Oji, who ruled for an astonishing 73 years (1914-1987) and was among the first traditional rulers conferred with Nigerian National honours when they were established in 1964.

Eze Kanu Oji, CFR, CON, OBE, is a revered figure who represents more than just lineage; he embodies a legacy that is inextricably linked to the nation’s history.

He was hosted by three Nigerian heads of state over the decades: Tafawa Balewa in 1965, Olusegun Obasanjo in 1976, and Ibrahim Babaginda in 1986, adding to the weight of his reign and the significance of this night.

As the grandson of this revered monarch, His Eminence Dr. Eberechukwu Oji carries on not only his ancestral legacy, but also his people’s hopes.

“It is a unique moment for us,” Princewill Utchay said during his opening speech, “not only to celebrate a king, but to honour the greatness that has united the Aro Kingdom and the larger Nigerian community.”

Prime Chinese Restaurant plays an important role in this tradition, ensuring that heritage is celebrated alongside the culinary delights it offers.

Aside from the cultural festivities, the evening highlighted Eze Aro’s remarkable contributions to the oil industry and his recent appearance at a World Bank/IMF session in Washington, USA, where he advocated for sustainable solutions in Africa’s energy sector on October 22, 2024. His journey from the oil fields to prestigious leadership is an inspiring story that resonates with both local and global goals.

Indeed, the gathering was not for lengthy speeches, as the host emphasised, but rather to “express gratitude and respect for Eze Eberehukwu Oji’s commitment to unity and development, and to pledge our total support and loyalty to His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro.”

“As the first grandson of Mazi T.K. Utchay, the designer of Omu Aro, the Aro Kingdom’s Coat of Arms in 1925, it is traditional for me to align myself with this great king of our time.”

Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, a venerable elder of the Arochukwu Kingdom, led the opening prayer, invoking blessings for Nigeria’s peace and prosperity, a moving moment that touched everyone in attendance.

In her vote of thanks, Prof. Ngozi Osarenren passionately reaffirmed the night’s purpose: to celebrate unity and Eze Eberechukwu Oji’s bridge-building efforts.

Within a year of his appointment, he was instrumental in establishing the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, forging alliances among various traditional leaders such as the Oni of Ife, Dein of Agbor, Jaja of Opobo, Obong of Calabar, Obi of Isingwu, Elegushi of Ikate, Olofin of Isheri, Alara of Ilara, and Amanyanabo of Abonnema, among others.

As the evening came to a close, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, flanked by his adorable queen, Ugoeze Nneoma, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Chinese Restaurant, which has consistently served its customers with excellence for over three decades, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, inviting all Aro people to join together for communal growth and development.

His Eminence promised that the third leg of the play would be staged in Abuja and then transported to the United Kingdom.

The Echoes of the Drum, laughter, and music were intertwined with promises of a united future, celebrating not just a lineage but a shared vision of greatness that knows no bounds.

Eze Aro’s legacy lives on, reminding everyone of the Aro Kingdom’s rich culture and unwavering spirit, as well as its significance in Nigeria’s history.

Some of the dignitaries present included a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, His Excellency, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; Professor Ngozi Osarenren of the University of Lagos; Treasurer-General of Nzuko Aro Worldwide, Mazi Adindu Elekwa and his wife Maria; former presidents of Nzuko Aro, Lagos branch, Mazi Jideofor Kanu and Mazi Ejike Onwuchekwa; Chairman of AROSON, Lagos branch, Mazi Chinedu
Others were the Publisher of Daily Times, Mr. Fidelis Anosike; Mr. Rufai Oseni of Arise TV; Nollywood actress Rita Dominic-Anosike; showbiz presenter Yemi Shodimu; Engr. Obioha Chijioke, Mazi Chimezie Orji; oil and gas magnet, Mazi Obioha Okorafor; Full Moon Hotel proprietor, Mazi Chike Okorafor; real estate developer, Mazi Emeka Okoronkwo; Mazi Udeaha Nwosu and his wife Ebere; Palace Secretary, Mazi Ugo