AROCHUKWU IKEJI. By Chinyere Obinna O.

A cross section of beauties from the Arochukwu Kindgom at a previous Ikeji event.

THE AROCHUKWU PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION AMERICA. APAA will be hosting a fundraising event for FOR IKEJI 2008.

Arochukwu is an ancient town with a rich historical background, located in the South Eastern region of Nigeria. It is the third largest town in Abia State in Nigeria. Arochukwu is one of the few kingdoms in Africa, and practices the monarchical system of government. The Arochukwu kingdom is one of the few kingdoms in Africa, where titles cannot be bought for any price. The king of Arochukwu is called the Eze Aro, and the mornachy is passed on through the generations. Arochukwu is steeped in rich cultural history with the Ikeji ceremony, which is the new yam festival celebrated, even to this day.

There are several thousands of Arochukwu indigenes living right here in the United States of America. I am proud to count myself as one of them.

The Arochukwu Progressive Association of America (APAA) is an association of Arochukwu indigenes living in the United States, whose objective is to preserve the cultural heritage of Arochukwu. To quote the president of the APAA, Mazi Godwin Arisa, "Arochukwu is a special name and a special place and theArochukwu Progressive Association America should be the flag bearer of efforts to recapture respect for the birthplace and the head of the Aro nation. "

The Arochukwu Progressive Association of America is planning to celebrate the 2008 Ikeji Arochukwu in a three day event that will stretch from the 29th of August through the 31st of August. The details of the Ikeji are as follows:

Date: August 29th, through August 31st, 2008.

Venue: Holiday Inn & Conference Center, 3050 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837. Phone:(732) 661- 1000.
Please contact Mazi Ogbonnaya Azuonwu at 646 505-9343 for more details.

The APAA is seeking donations to support their efforts for the planning of this event, as well as to raise funds to assist the people of Arochukwu. Their focus during this event will be to raise funds to build better infrastucture in Arochukwu. They are seeking pledges from all sources to support their cause.

You can assist the efforts of the APAA in the following manners:

A) TAKE A PAGE OF CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE OR AD IN THE EVENTS PROGRAM BROCHURE.

B) FORWARD YOUR PLEDGE IN ANY AMOUNT TO THE PLANNING COMITTEE TO HELP FUND THE COST OF PUTTING THE EVENT TOGETHER - CONTACT Mazi Ogbonnaya Azuonwu, 321 Jackson Road, Atco, NJ 08004. Phone:(646) 505-9343.

C) CONCLUDE YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS and RESERVE YOUR ROOM AT THE EVENT HOTEL - HOLIDAY INN AND CONFERENCE CENTER. 3050 WOODBRIDGE AVENUE, EDISON, NJ O8837. 732 661-1000

D) GET YOUR FRIEND, YOUR DOCTOR, YOUR BUSINESS PARTNER, YOUR AUTO REPAIR SHOP, YOUR GROCER, YOUR CO-WORKER, ANYONE YOU CAN THINK OF, to support APAA in their effort to bring safe drinking water to Arochukwu. Any amount is okay.

YOU SHOULD DO AT LEAST ONE OF THE ABOVE! BUT YOU SHOULD NOT DO "NOTHING."
THERE ARE ONLY TWO WEEKS REMAINING - AUGUST 29-31, 2008.

God bless you all.