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The Zonal Director, South-South Election Planning, Coordination, Monitoring and Mobilisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) 2027 and global Vice President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, has congratulated the Asagba of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a visionary leader and a distinguished custodian of Asaba’s rich cultural heritage.
Dr. Olejeme, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Board Chairman of Pensions Trustfund Plc, said the 14th Asagba had continued to demonstrate exemplary commitment to the unity, development and prosperity of the Asaba kingdom.
In a birthday message, she, described the monarch as a father figure whose wisdom, humility, intellectual depth and passion for community advancement had continued to inspire his subjects and admirers beyond the shores of Asaba.
According to her, the Asaba monarch had demonstrated that traditional institutions could serve as powerful instruments of social transformation, economic advancement and cultural preservation when guided by purposeful and visionary leadership.
Reflecting on the monarch’s achievements since ascending the throne, she noted that he had placed community development, public welfare and institutional advancement at the centre of his reign, transforming the royal palace into a platform for meaningful engagements and people-oriented development initiatives.
She observed that the monarch’s distinguished background as a constitutional scholar, senior advocate of Nigeria, former director-general of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and academic, had positively influenced his approach to traditional leadership, making his administration inclusive, knowledge-driven and development-oriented.
Olejeme particularly commended the Asagba’s interventions in the healthcare sector, highlighting the donation of dialysis machines, support for the establishment of a drug rehabilitation centre, improvements in primary healthcare services and the introduction of ambulance services to strengthen emergency medical response within the kingdom.
She also applauded his commitment to educational advancement through scholarship and bursary programmes, as well as support for institutions such as Dennis Osadebay University and the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba.
On youth development, she praised the monarch’s initiatives in skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and vocational training, describing them as strategic investments in the future of young people and the economic sustainability of the kingdom.
Olejeme further commended Asagba’s efforts to attract investors, corporate organisations and development partners to Asaba, stressing that such engagements were essential to creating employment opportunities, stimulating economic activities and accelerating sustainable development.
Olejeme particularly highlighted initiatives aimed at positioning Asaba as a major tourism and cultural destination, including the proposed Asaba Annual International Marathon, the planned Asaba Sports Academy and the revitalisation of the Palace Museum.
According to her, one of the remarkable attributes of Azinge’s reign is his ability to harmonise the rich cultural values and traditions of the Asaba people with contemporary development strategies, thereby strengthening the relevance of traditional institutions in modern society.
She also paid glowing tribute to the Asagba’s Queen, acknowledging her support, companionship and contributions to the success of the royal father.
She described her as an important pillar in the monarch’s journey of service and leadership.
She expressed confidence that the legacies being established by Asagba would endure for generations, noting that his reign would be remembered for enlightened leadership, cultural preservation, institutional development and a genuine commitment to the welfare of his people.
She, therefore, called on Asaba indigenes at home and in the diaspora, as well as friends and well-wishers of the kingdom, to rally behind the monarch and support his vision for a united, peaceful and prosperous Asaba.
She prayed that the Almighty God would continue to bless him with good health, wisdom and strength, while granting his reign enduring peace, greater accomplishments and prosperity as he leads the Asaba Kingdom towards a brighter future.
