South East breaking News
By Steve Unegbu ,
The president Customary Court of Appeal Abia state, Mazi (Hon. ) Justice Anyalewechi Onwuchekwa (Ugwu-Aro ) has declared that culture can never die in Arochukwu, saying it can die else where not in Aro he maintained.
Mazi Onwuchekwa who made this declaration during Nzuko Arochukwu World Wide Umuahia Branch 2019 ,Aro cultural Day, held at B. C. A premises Umuahia,said ,” You can see me full dressed like an Ugwu Aro today ,you can see the Ekpo,the old tradition dance in Aro ,the Ekpe was here, Nwangbede, they all displayed, we saw them, you will find out that the Aros are very proud of their culture. Everybody is traditionally dressed “
He frowned at those who do not want their children to learn their culture ,insisting that , ” we are what we are because of our culture. So if you do not want your child to learn your culture, it is most unfortunate thing. We in Aro always answer our traditional names “
Onwuchekwa who was the chairman of the occasion, said they gathered in Umuahia as the Abia state capital and homestead of all Aro world wide to sit down and talk about the development of Aro and to find a proper place for Aro .
In his speech, Mazi (Barrister) Jude Nwaokoro ,whose wife Mrs K. C. Nwaokoro was given award by Nzuko Arochukwu world wide ,said culture does not go away in Aro.” You saw my dance steps that is to tell you that culture does not go away in Aro”
He described culture as a binding heritage, saying that, “it is unfortunate we are beginning to loose touch of culture “
According to him, the award given to his wife is a great one, ” my wife is not from Arochukwu but she is now an Arochukwu person over 30 years ago, I brought her to Arochukwu, this is the 3rd times she is being recognized by Arochukwu people in her journey in Arochukwu , I am happy “
In his speech, the Abia state House Member Representing Arochukwu state constituency, Hon .Mich Ukoha,decribed the Aro cultural Day as a very important event which is done once in a year.
He stated that the event is a center of meeting for sons and daughters of Arochukwu, pointing out” that it is important we support the culture of our people and we very mindful that the younger ones are watching us and they are learning “
In his speech, mazi ,Michael Kanu ,said Aro people were one of the first kingdom that resisted the Whites in the East
Earlier in his address, the president, Nzuko Arochukwu world wide, Umuahia branch, Mazi (Elder) Solomon N. Orji Nnorom ,revealed that ” Aro cultural Day has a become a platform to showcase our rich cultural heritage and to preserve it in the face of the on – slaught of western culture for posterity. It is also a day to bring together all Umuaro in Umuahia and beyond to demonstrate our unity as a people “
He said they are using the event to galvanize support for their developmental projects, adding that they are organizing fund raising of N100 million Naira which they will use for the building of a town hall center in Umuahia and to bestow service awards to a selected individuals as mark of recognition of their contributions to the development of Aro kingdom and humanity in general .
He commended the governor of Abia state Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for “his untiring efforts to ensure the security of the state and his uncommon interest in road construction”