Arrangements have been concluded to unveil the first Dr Alvan Ikoku Education Colloquium, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Sir Chijioke Oti, disclosed earlier.
A statement endorsed by Sir Oti and the Planning Committee secretary of 2022 Aro Day, Dr Onyiema Edward, on behalf of Eze Aro in Council and the President-General of Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide, made available to correspondents in Uyo, states that the colloquium is part of activities marking the 2022 celebration, which kicks-off December 26.
According to the statement, the event will witness the inauguration of the Aro Education Development Trust Fund and the launch of the 1st Phase of the Aro Education Trust Fund.
With the theme: “Education in Aro: Time for Action”, the event would afford leaders the opportunity to render an account of their stewardship, as well as provide all Umu-Aro citizens within the country and in the diaspora, the opportunity to develop strategies for funding Education and Skill Acquisition programmes to the benefit of the downtrodden in the society, especially the Aros.
The statement reads in part: “Aro-Day is a day where Aro descendants, no matter where they are domiciled, review their contributions to the development of the world, especially Nigeria and the Kingdom. Aros gather on this day to celebrate their heritage, culture, and togetherness.
“The highlights of the programme for December 26, 2022, Aro-Day include the unveiling of the 1st Dr Alvan Ikoku Education Colloquium Report; Inauguration of the Aro Education Development Trust Fund and the Launching of N100m 1st Phase of the N500m Aro Education Development Trust Fund.”
Additional Information from Eze-Aro Palace stated further that the annual ritual, which started in 1981, through a royal proclamation by His Majesty, Mazi Kanu Oji, Eze-Aro has contributed to the advancement of education in the state and others
“In 1981, a royal proclamation by His Majesty, Mazi Kanu Oji, Eze-Aro declared December 26th of every year “Aro-Day.” On Aro-Day, no other events, like burials, Birthdays, Weddings, Football competitions, etc., are allowed to be held.
“The first Aro-Day was celebrated at Obinkita Hall, in Arochukwu Kingdom. This annual ritual (Aro-Day) contributed to building and donating Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu, in 1992; the centenary commemoration of British-Arochukwu War in 1922”, the statement stated.
The statement also stated that support would be mobilised for Aro communities, Building of the Aro Cultural and Civic Centre, which foundation was laid in 2017, in a unifying event to attract the new generation to their ancestral land.