Prof Epiphany Azinge has been officially crowned as the 14th Asagba of Asaba with a vow to secure Asaba lands and take her people to greater heights.
Prof. Azinge, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), an international lawyer and a Commonwealth Judge was elected Asagba on the 18th of August, 2024 amongst 10 candidates that submitted themselves for the contest, following the passage of his predecessor, Prof. Chike Edozie.
The event which was held on Saturday, 5th October, 2024, was graced by former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Delta North Senator, Peter Nwanboashi, traditional rulers from other kingdoms amongst others.
In his formal address, the new Asagba paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, Prof Chike Edozie, describing him as a father from whom he has learned much.
His address reads thus: “Today marks a day of Renaissance, Cultural rebirth, social reengineering and the quest for greater happiness of our people.
“I want to pay tribute to the memory of my predecessor, the 13th Asagba of Asaba, late Obi, Prof Chike Edozie, CFR, for his dedication and selfless service to our people. His love for Asaba was unparalleled, his passion for reform is matchless and his pragmatism, indescribable. It was as if he would live forever.
He was a father figure to me and indeed many of us and by privilege is the much I learned and observed from him. He has joined the plantiun of our legends and belongs to the exalted molds of our ancestors and his blessings will continue to pour on us as he encourages us to continue from where he stops. May his soul rest in perfect peace and may his name reveal a blessing.
“Let me also commend in a special way the immediate Asagba for the brief and perfect manner you conducted the affairs of Asaba since the demise of your father. Without descents, the whole of Asaba applauds your highly analytical mind, your balanced judgement, your commitment to bringing peace to Asaba land and above all for the excellent and unbiased manner you handled the election process. I want to congratulate you for a highly successful tour of duty and urge you as an indivisional memory in the affairs of Asaba, never distant your love from the burning issues of our community going forward.
“On the 18th of August, in this hallowed palace, Asaba indeed overwhelmingly elected me to step into the shoes of our forebears as the 14th Asagba of Asaba. You saw in me the qualities of a king fit enough to step into the shoes of my predecessor, the 13th Asagba of Asaba.
“Your vote on me was a call to service, a clear expression of trust reposed in my capacity to push the frontiers of engagements in our land. Your vote also was an invitation that I should lead this land that we so much venerate to greater heights. No doubt the burden is immense but it is one I have dedicated myself to carry for the benefit of our people.
“The expectations from me are very high but I want to promise that I will never betray your trust, I will never disappoint the people of Asaba.
“In the course of my declaration to contest for the exalted throne of Asagba of our land, I made amongst others, the following pledges; that I will uphold and promote the culture of Asaba people, that i will foster unity amongst our people and promote inclusivity not exclusivity, that i will sow seeds of love and felia of fidelity amongst our people, that I will never encourage the establishment of welfares and development funds for community development of Asaba, that I will vigorously pursue the building of the palace of the Asagba of Asaba, so help me God.
“That I will continue to push for the establishment of a Federal University in this land. Above all, I will extend control and supervision to other parts of Asaba where the influence of the Diokpas, Indiobis, all the traditional authorities does not ordinarily cover. More significantly, I will strengthen all traditional authorities and institutions in our land like the Otuhaza and the Asagba in council amongst others. That I will be accessible, open to advice, encourage constructive criticism and show zero tolerance for gossip in the palace.
“That I will ensure security of Asaba and her people, engender peace and peaceful coexistence with our neighbors, people of Anioma. That I will work vigorously and harmoniously with the Delta State government. I will continue to support the government as we strive to make Asaba the state capital of our dreams, that I will work with the federal government to attract more institutions to Asaba, that I will make justice, fairness to all the mantra of my leadership and I will work tirelessly for peace to reign both in Asaba and among Asaba people. Today I reaffirm these pledges, so help me God.
“I pledge as your king not to disappoint this great land that we venerate. I will be the King you entrusted the destiny of this land into his hands and I promised to take Asaba to greater heights. As I make these pledges, let me remind us that there are also corresponding obligations on your part, on the part of the people of Asaba. We must all learn to live in peace and harmony, be our brother’s keeper, uphold felia fidelity, ensue pull him down syndrome, that we reward excellence, promote dignity of labour, continue to welcome and harbour Nigerians from other tribes and encourage them to invest in our town.
“Asaba as a state capital is a far departure from the once sleepy and rustic town by the banks of the majestic Niger. Today Asaba is not just the fastest growing capital in Nigeria but in Africa and across the Sahara but we must not rest on our orce. Let it nor be lord on us that Asaba was once the capital of Nigeria in the days of the Royal Niger Company. I will therefore support efforts that will improve the state of Asaba.
“The contest for the throne was not entirely without hitches, quite a good number of my brothers have since congratulated me, few still feel aggrieved for one reason or another. As Asagba of Asaba and a sovereign with deep compassion and goodwill, I want to invite my brothers to sheath their sword and join me as I stride to build a new Asaba.
Together and collectively we can achieve a lot by pulling together for the greater glory of Asaba. My dear compatriots there is a lot of work to be done and even as your king I cannot do it alone. A new dawn is on us and it is time to strive to achieve the greatest happiness of the greatest number of Asaba people. Please need your support as I today embark on this journey as your king, sovereign and traditional ruler. May God be our helper.”
