Former Governor of Delta State and APC Delta North senatorial candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has commended the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Obi (Prof.) Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, for what he described as significant transformation and service-oriented leadership in his first two years on the throne.
Okowa spoke during the second anniversary of the monarch’s coronation at the Asagba Palace, Asaba, where he said the traditional institution had continued to play an important role in peacebuilding and community development.
According to him, Azinge’s reign has been marked by visible changes at the palace as well as initiatives targeted at improving the wellbeing of the people.
Okowa said the Asagba had demonstrated that traditional rulers could contribute meaningfully to development by deploying their influence to promote healthcare, education, youth development and peaceful coexistence.
“In just two years, there’s been a lot of transformation,” Okowa said, adding that the monarch was “rewriting traditional governance the way we thought it was in the past.”
He also commended Azinge for his peacebuilding efforts and his relationship with other traditional rulers.
“There is peace in Asaba. But beyond Asaba, you’ve been connecting with your fellow traditional rulers in so much humility,” Okowa said.
The former governor further congratulated the monarch and prayed for continued wisdom, strength and grace as he leads the Asaba Kingdom.
The second coronation anniversary, held on Sunday, attracted traditional rulers, chiefs, indigenes, political leaders and other stakeholders from across Delta North.
Azinge was crowned the 14th Asagba of Asaba on October 5, 2024, following his emergence as monarch-designate in August of the same year. He succeeded the late Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, who reigned as the 13th Asagba before his death in February 2024.
The monarch, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, has in the course of his reign emphasised peace, community development and the protection of Asaba’s interests.
Okowa, who is seeking the Delta North senatorial seat on the platform of the APC in the 2027 general election, was among the dignitaries who joined other stakeholders in marking the monarch’s second year on the throne.
