Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge will be formally presented to the world as the new Asagba of Asaba in an elaborate ceremony on October 5, 2024. He steps into the big shoes of Professor Joseph Chike Edozien who joined his ancestors in February.

Perhaps, the giant strides of the late Asagba have endeared the academic title to the people of Asaba. It is noteworthy that another professor, Emmanuel Onwuka, also vied for the position with Azinge and nine other eminent sons of the soil. Edozien ascended the throne in 1991 with tall credentials.

Renowned as Nigeria?s first Professor of Physiology, he had worked in various parts of the world, from France to the United States and was fully prepared to apply experience to leadership. Unlike some other traditional rulers, the immediate past Asagba did not stain his honour by playing dirty politics.

He stood tall as a father to all. Deservedly, he was a wise grand fellow who nearly clocked 100 years on earth, before his departure. Married to Ezenwanyi Modupe (nee Smith) a granddaughter of leading nationalist, Herbert Macaulay, Edozien was able to harness the potentials available from different socio ? political backgrounds with a view to projecting Asaba positively before the world.

The Asagba?s Council of Chiefs tells the story of his quality. The Iyase (traditional Prime Minister), Patrick Onyeobi, came with a perfect public service background as a former Secretary to the old Bendel State Government. Philip Asiodu, one of the Super Permanent Secretaries during the Yakubu Gowon administration is the Izoma Ahaba.

There were two other professors. His brother, Emmanuel Edozien, Ojiba Ahaba, who was Economic Adviser to President Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic and J.O. Obi, Isama Ahaba. An industrialist, Sunny Odogwu, was Ide Ahaba and Biafra War veteran, Joe Achuzia, got the title, Ikemba Ahaba. Their contributions placed Asaba on a high pedestal. This group of chiefs did not look like men that would easily be bought over with money. The Asagba never freely gave titles to people with questionable pedigrees.

The new Asagba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was PresidentGeneral of the Asaba Development Union (ADU). Through his efforts and the scholarly disposition of his predecessor, the much denied Asaba Genocide of October 1967 received more global scrutiny.

Unlike some other traditional rulers, the immediate past Asagba did not stain his honour by playing dirty politics. He stood tall as a father to all and the exposure began through the work of another Professor, Emma Okocha, who presented a vivid account of the gory adventure, in his 1994 book: ?Blood On The Niger?. After Okocha?s work, two American professors, S. Elizabeth Bird and Fraser Ottanelli, went further to reveal more in their book: ?The Asaba Massacre: Trauma, Memory and the Nigerian Civil War.? When Achuzia died, the Asagba made Okocha the next Ikemba. Asaba has continued to make history positively. In October 2023, the town was named a UNESCO City of Film.

That recognition came through Nollywood that feels very much a worthy partner through various engagements around the former headquarters of the Royal Niger Company (RNC). Azinge, a professor of Law and past DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, has what it takes to move Asaba to a higher level, from where he met it.

He was close to Prof. Edozien and understands the pains of the Asaba people. Like Edozien, Azinge?s wife, Valerie, comes from a family of big time politicians.

The Nowdo family of Nsukka has produced a governor, Okwesilieze and a minister, John Nnia. Their patriarch was a top stakeholder in the First Republic Eastern Region. The example of Asaba should be a guide.

Traditional rulers only gain respect when they stay away from politics and face ventures that will attract global recognition. It is also remarkable that the immediate past and present Asagba married from outside their Geo-Political Zone.

Finding wives from outside their immediate environment makes it easy for Asaba Kings to understand the feelings of Nigerians beyond the South-South.

This is good for national integration which has been thwarted by some self-seeking traditional rulers. And the process of rotation among the quarters that represent the founder?s five sons, Ezenei, Ugbomanta, Agu, Ajaji and Onaje remains intact. What was adopted in 1925 is still active, 99 years after. Nigerian politicians should learn from this arrangement. (New Telegraph Editorial)

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