A legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Epiphany Azinge has been crowned the 14th Asagba of the ancient town of Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Prof. Azinge ascended the throne today, Saturday, October 5, 2024 in a colourful ceremony held at the Asagba Palace, Ezenei quarters, Asaba, following his election in August by the five quarters of Asaba Kingdom.
Speaking at the ceremony, Azinge paid glowing tributes to his predecessor, the late Prof. Obi Chike Edozien, the 13th Asagba of Asaba, describing him as “a father figure.”
He said the late traditional ruler was a shining light for the community, a ruler who worked tirelessly for the peace and overall development of Asaba.
“The late Obi Chike Edozien, the 13th Asagba of Asaba was a great patriot, an accomplished scholar and traditional leader who worked tirelessly for the development of Asaba,” Prof. Azinge declared.
“His vision was matchless. He was a pragmatic leader and very committed in the pursuit of peace and unity of the Asaba nation.
“He was a father figure to me and I will forever cherish his leadership vision and ideologies which he held so dearly till death.”
The traditional ruler who pledged to work for the peace, progress and unity of the ancient town, enjoined the people of Asaba to join hands and build a prosperous community.
”I pledge to be accessible, open to advice, encourage constructive criticism, and I will use my network of connections to attract federal presence to Asaba,” he declared.
”I will encourage general coexistence among the people of Asaba and Anioma.
“I will vigorously pursue the establishment of a Federal University of Asaba.”
Azinge, however, noted that the contest for the throne of the Asagba of Asaba was not without a hitch, pointing out that while “a good number of my brothers have since recognised me, a few others are still aggrieved for one reason or the other.”
”As Asagba of Asaba, I’m extending a hand of fellowship, compassion and goodwill to them.
”I want to invite my brothers to sheath their sword and join me as I strive to build a new Asaba,” he appealed.
Earlier in a welcome address, the regent to the Asagba throne, Chief Louis Edozien, the Ochendo of Asaba, had, on behalf of the Edozien royal family, paid tributes to the late Obi Chike Edozien.
He said the 33-year reign of the late traditional ruler brought unprecedented growth and development to the ancient town, thanking “the good people of Asaba”, on behalf of the Edozien family, “for the life and times of our late Asagba, Obi Chike Edozien.
“I also want to assure our new Asagba, Obi Epiphany Azinge of the support and goodwill of the Edozien royal family as he ascends the throne.
“Let me equally enjoin the good people of Asaba to give our new Asagba the same support they gave to our departed traditional ruler to enable him succeed,” Edozien said.
Highlight of the coronation was the official handover of the ‘Ofor’ traditional Staff of Office to Obi Epiphany Azinge by the Odogwu of Asaba, Chief Nwanze Odue.
There was also the dressing of the new traditional ruler with the Asagba traditional regalia by the Onihe of Asaba (Kingmaker), Chief Ubaka Attoh.
The new traditional ruler later took the oath of allegiance heralding a new chapter in the Asaba traditional kingdom.
(L)Prof. Epiphany Azinge and his wife Valerie during his coronation on Saturday in Asaba
Azinge ascends throne as 14th Asagba of Asaba
Azinge being crowned by the Onihe of Asagba, the traditional chief priest of the kingdom, while his wife Valerie looks on with admiration
