By Norbert Chiazor
I saw a man. A tall imposing figure from a distance. His stride subtle with gentle panache.
Walking closer in minutes on a paved busy lawn, his presence drew intense gaze. His looks natty and athletic with elegant elan.
He was bedecked in a dark fitted double-breasted suit, a tailored masterpiece. A sleek red tie, perched on a crisp white shirt, pampering his buff biceps, with commanding sophistication.
Sauntering with entrancing attraction before a motley crowd, he might have turned heads, but my mind wandered far – Kevin Costner, the cool guy in ”The Untouchables” “ ( 1987 )- latter day “The Bodyguard” (1992).
That was my first and earliest impression of Professor Epiphany Azinge, one fateful day in University of Benin, sometime in 1990.
He was then a law teacher. But here is another epiphany to his charm. He was one of the first lecturers in UNIBEN to drive Mercedes Benz 190 E, the rave of that era, comparable to today’s brand new Prado Jeep. Not a few UNIBEN students stood beside Azinge’s gleaming Benz to check their faces and composure before rushing to class.
More profound is the beauty of his brain. Scholarly in learning, sound in eloquence, Professor Azinge is one of Africa’s most bookish intellectuals.
He once served as President of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal, London, the first ever African to occupy this position.
With a PHD in law, Professor Azinge, former Director General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies is an alumnus of the London School of Economics, one of the best universities in the world, having produced 255 past or present heads of states and over 50 Nobel laureates.
Greatness is from the pantheon of the gods! See why Professor Azinge, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) emerged in 2024 as the 14th Asagba of Asaba?
Delta Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is optimistic that “with the antecedents of Obi Prof. Azinge as a brilliant lawyer and academic of great repute, he will bring his wealth of experience on the Asaba Kingdom’s cultural heritage” And Delta too.
His coronation has since taken place.
May the Okilolo of Asaba, the great thinker of the world, who became Asagba teach us enduring greatness.
Meanwhile, the Asagba of Asaba renamed the popular Bonsax satellite Town
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Prof Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, OON, renamed the popular Bonsac satellite town in Asaba to Ajaji Layout with immediate effect.
The Asagba announced the renaming during a familiarization visit to the former Bonsac and Oduke axis of his kingdom. He said the development would be communicated to the Oshimili South Local Government for necessary actions.
Asagba Prof Azinge also announced the appointment of Ogbueshi Dada Okolo as the Palace Liaison Officer in Ajaji Layout and Ogbueshi Adim Onochie as his counterpart in Oduke.
He directed Ogbueshi Okolo to sign post the new street name at the various entry points to the Layout within one week, while saying that all documents bearing the name Bonsac remained valid.
The Monarch charged residents of Ajaji Layout and Oduke satellite towns to be law abiding, respect the culture and traditions of the land, be loyal to constituted authorities, and support the government of the day.
He acknowledge the challenges of dearth of social amenities and the absence of a Police post in the area and assured residents that he would open up discussions with the relevant authorities to attract development to the satellite towns
Earlier in an address, the Secretary of the renamed Bonsac satallite settlement, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ofogu, thanked the Asagba for the visit, which he said was the first of its kind, describing him as the best fitted for the exalted throne of Asaba at this time in history.
He enumerated the challenges facing the settlements and urged the Asagba to intervene in attracting development to the area.
Prof Azinge has since embarked on the raising of N3Billion for the building of a befitting palace for the Asagba. It will be the first to be so built.
He was accompanied by the member representing the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ngozi Okolie, the Director-General, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah, among other dignitaries.
The Okpala-Ukwu of Umuaji quarters, Ogbueshi Thomas Enyenabor, Diokpas of the seven Ogbes of Umuaji and some members of the Otu Ihaza were present at the visit.
… Chiazor was an ex-NUJ chairman, Delta State and now one of the aides of Oborevwori
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