BY PATRICK MGBODO
“Since your ascension, Your Majesty, you have brought peace, unity and cultural pride to the Asaba Kingdom… We are proud of your accomplishments and your unwavering commitment to the development of our dear state, most particularly, the Asaba kingdom’’ Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, January 2025
Exactly one year today, the Asaba community in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State marked a historic milestone with the ascension of HRM Obi (Prof) Epiphany Azinge SAN as the 14th Asagba of Asaba. Since his enthronement, the revered monarch has not only upheld the cherished traditions of his people but has also begun redefining the role of kingship, steering the throne toward a new era of relevance, innovation, and transformative governance.
His emergence, overwhelmingly endorsed by the Asaba people who voted unanimously for him among 10 other contenders, carried the certainty of God’s promise. With a distinguished career in the legal profession and the unique privilege of being groomed to step into the shoes of his predecessor—himself a professor—the expectations were naturally high.
It was, in many ways, like the assurance of a farmer sowing under the right conditions. What has surprised many, however, is not the harvest itself but how swiftly the fruits began to appear. In just one year, Obi (Prof.) Azinge has elevated traditional governance in Asaba to a level that might take other communities decades to attain.
Since ascending the throne on October 5, 2024, HRM Obi Azinge has taken royalty beyond ceremony and into purposeful action. He has pushed the frontiers of traditional leadership by forging meaningful partnerships for sustainable development, strengthening peace and security, and personally touring medical centres, schools, and other facilities in his domain to advocate for improved services.
His reign has also brought renewed attention to widows and the most vulnerable in his kingdom, while investments in infrastructure and youth empowerment have created new opportunities. Through prayers, interventions, and initiatives that touch every facet of community life, HRM Azinge has redefined what it means to lead in the 21st century, albeit traditionally.
Shortly after his emergence, the monarch inaugurated the Asaba Welfare and Endowment Fund Management Committee with a clear mandate—to work for the betterment of the community. True to this vision, his first Christmas on the throne brought succour to 100 indigent widows across the five quarters of Asaba. In the same spirit, he charged the Asaba Development Union Worldwide (ADUW), during their inaugural courtesy visit, to remain steadfast in their drive towards the continuous development of Asaba.
The Welfare and Endowment Committee and ADUW recently organised a scholarship and empowerment programme for indigent natives. The monarch expressed gratitude to the committee for their tireless efforts in driving the initiative, even as he highlighted the ongoing renovation of the Asaba Renovation Centre.
He emphasised the importance of giving back to the community, citing Asaba sons and daughters who have made significant contributions to the kingdom’s development, urging beneficiaries to maintain good academic standing and desist from criminal activities.
HRM Azinge has also waded into the critical issue of electricity supply that seemed to have defied all solutions across the country, engaging the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in meaningful dialogue aimed at securing improved power for his people. In the same vein, he has emphasised the importance of corporate organisations living up to their social responsibilities, a point he underscored in his charge to MTN.
On several occasions, notably during visits by Dennis Osadebe University (DOU) and the Institute of Human Virology (IHV), HRM Obi (Prof.) Epiphany Azinge has emphasised the need for strict compliance with the local content law. He believes that such adherence holds the potential to generate employment opportunities for the kingdom’s teeming pool of qualified and competent youths.
In the area of security, the monarch has consistently advocated for stronger collaboration between law enforcement agencies and traditional institutions. He once charged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, to deepen partnerships aimed at curbing drug abuse, cyber fraud, and other social vices. At the same time, he urged the force to discourage indiscriminate arrests and to uphold the chain of command in their operations.
To strengthen ties between government and the community, HRM Azinge inaugurated the Asaba–Government Liaison Committee, chaired by the former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya. Beyond this, he has consistently advocated for a more enhanced and institutionalised role for traditional rulers in governance, underscoring their relevance as partners in development and custodians of peace.
Among the notable reforms introduced in the past year is the directive that no parcel of land in Asaba should be sold on a freehold basis. For the prestigious Alor title, the minimum age requirement has now been pegged at 40, alongside other qualifying conditions, with a central screening committee constituted to verify the eligibility of candidates. In addition, the tenure of the Otu-Ihaza age grade has also been clearly defined, bringing greater structure and accountability to traditional institutions.
Appraising the monarch’s performance in the last year, the member representing the Aniocha/Oshimili Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ogbueshi Hon Ngozi Okolie, stressed the accommodating disposition of HRM Azinge.
According to Hon Okolie, ‘’the monarch has led the community very well. He has been fair to everybody. Even the blind can see the progress he has brought to the land. I think he is doing fantastically well’’ he said, adding ‘’With him on the throne, Asaba is gradually regaining its respect and reputation.
‘’The Asagba, being an Asaba-centric person, will take Asaba to places. Of course, people are now very proud of him and even prouder to be Asaba people. When the 13th Asagba passed on, we thought we would not find someone who would be as great as he was; we thought there was nobody good enough to fit into his shoes. But today, the shows need expansion.
‘’In just one year, what HRM Azinge has done in Asaba is simply amazing. Everybody is very proud to be associated with him and to call themselves, Asaba people’’ Hon Okolie said.
Without mincing words, the Palace Secretary, Chief Patrick Ndili, said HRM Azinge has brought Asaba into the limelight in the last year and has made the Asaba people realise their full potential. According to him, ‘’It has been a rewarding year and everybody in the capital city will agree with me that the monarch has achieved a lot in improving infrastructural facilities, health, education, among others.
‘’Most importantly, HRM Azinge has made Asaba people realise that the entire kingdom should come together as one and that no part of Asaba land should be left as if it has no owners. The monarch has been able to establish and put in place those we call Anya Asagba to oversee those areas (satellite towns) as part of Asaba’’.
While congratulating the monarch on his first coronation anniversary and praying God to continue granting him the strength, Chief Ndili called on the Asaba people not to relent in their support for the throne, even as he echoed the promise of the Asagba that ‘’once you are upright and abide by the rules of accountability and transparency, the Asaba people will support you with their last breath’’
Also, one of the chiefs of the Asaba community, Chief (Engr) Christopher Chukwurah, said HRM Azinge has led with purpose. ‘’The monarch has led like a leader who was prepared by God, education, law and by the authentic spirit of community service to lead Asaba at this time.
‘’He (HRM Azinge) has shown sagacity, wisdom in practical terms in uniting Asaba to be peaceful and for progress. He has set up many committees to ensure that there is tangible development in the Kingdom. His policy and mantra are inclusiveness, peace and development.
‘’He has shown that if a man has goodwill, he can take on any project in Asaba, and Asaba will support him, especially goodwill backed with transparency. The monarch has demonstrated this, and therefore, the reforms he has put in place since he came on board have been productive.
‘’I am in charge of the tourism committee, and I have also featured in many of the other committees. Truly, I can say HRM Azinge is a man of tremendous goodwill. The Asaba permanent Palace site is bubbling with activities. The Asaba community, sons and daughters, and the government are all involved. By this time next year, when all the projects are ready, we will be able to commission this landmark achievement.
‘’Since the history of Asaba, no monarch has attempted to build a permanent palace successfully. But HRM Azinge has received followership in building this monumental edifice, both in Asaba and the diaspora, from the government at all levels. I pray that God will reward him accordingly’’ Chief Chukwurah said.
For the research assistant to the monarch, Ogbueshi (Dr) Victor Amuwah, HRM Azinge’s performance in the last year has proven to all that it is he who the cap fits. As he puts it, ‘’HRM Azinge has been a trailblazer right from the cradle through primary, secondary and tertiary education and even extending to his career life as a legal luminary, a scholar and an administrator.
‘’In just one year, time will fail me to enumerate all that he has done, but I think the blind can see, the deaf can also hear what is happening in Asaba, a once comatose city. Today, we are celebrating someone who has put things in the proper perspective as it concerns leadership. He has brought his integrity to bear.
‘’We are trying to catch up with him (HRM Azinge), and as his research assistant, I can tell you that if you have to be with him, you must be on your toes because he does not sleep. He has been able to sanitise the Asaba community, reform cultural issues, among other sectors; health, the academy, etc. He has been able to create systems that ensure that things are working seamlessly. He is our pride’’ Dr Amuwah said.
Also speaking, the spokesman of the Udumugbe Village Head, Ogbueshi (Engr) Eugene Umunna, expressed gratitude to HRM Azinge for intervening and restoring peace in the Udumugbe village, stressing ‘’Asaba is lucky to have him as their king’’
‘’In the last year, we have been having various uplifting activities. In all that the monarch does, his primary interest is the Asaba people. I recall that we once had a crisis in the Udumugbe village where cars were burnt, and properties were destroyed. But in the monarch’s wisdom, he set up a committee to look into the issue. When the matter appeared to be getting out of hand, he came by himself.
‘’In fact, if it were possible for him to lead Nigeria, I would be among the first persons to endorse him. He has the energy, charisma and wisdom. We pray God to grant him a longer life. Imagine the turnaround in the whole of Asaba in just one year. There have been innovations, some of which are funded from the personal purse of the king. I thank God for giving us a king like HRM Azinge.
Some of the youths who spoke to The Pointer, including Maryjane Ideke and Mr Ndubisi Biosah, shared similar sentiments on the monarch’s performance since ascending the throne.
According to Mr Biosah, ‘’HRM Azinge is a man I have known during his days as the President-General of the ADUW. So, when he expressed his intention to become the Asagba, I supported him because I know what he is capable of doing for our people. In the last one year, he has been doing great.
There is a paradigm shift from where we were as a community to where we are today. Before his emergence, there was not so much progress recorded in the community but today, the story has changed and the Asaba people are better for it.
For Miss Maryjane, ‘’The last one year has been full of development for the Asaba people. HRM Azinge has always been fighting for the development of Asaba. He has touched the health centres and has reached out to the tertiary health institutions. He has supported youths through scholarships, empowerments. He is all out to make everything better.
Ideke called on all Asaba people to support the monarch, adding ‘’it does not matter the divide you were on during the kingship contest. What we need now is unity and support for our king. He is doing well, he is doing the best that he can and he can still do better. However, he needs the support of everyone. Asaba needs to support him en masse’’ she said.
Meanwhile, the entire Asaba city, including natives and non-indigenes, stood still as activities to mark HRM Azinge’s first coronation anniversary commenced in full swing yesterday with a 5km road walk in which the monarch also participated.
