Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji, has congratulated Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN) on his emergence as the 14th Asagba of Asaba.
Azinge was pronounced the new Asagba of Asaba following his selection by the five Ebos of Asaba, and endorsed by Iyagba Quarters.
His emergence is seen as a confirmation of the trend in traditional institutions across the country, whereby communities have embraced the consciousness of choosing their best for the throne.
Holders of this view argue, and readily point to some first-class traditional rulers in Nigeria, who command enormous respect and influence in society, tracing their backgrounds to quality education and sterling career trajectory.
They include but not limited to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who served in the Nigerian military and rose to the rank equivalent to a General in the Army; Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II,who was in Nigeria’s foreign service and rose through the ranks as a career diplomat to the position of Ambassador.
Ditto Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, who worked in Shell Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, and retired as a Director.
Others are Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, who is a certified accountant and doing great business in the real estate industry; Gbom Gwom Jos, Jacob Buba Gyang, who retired as the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, who retired as a Commissioner of Police; the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who attained the rank of Army General before retirement.
None the least, Emir of Kano, Sanusi Muhammad Sanusi, a renowned economist and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Following the emergence of Prof Azinge as Asagba of Asaba, His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji, undoubtedly in that category of accomplished technocrats having distinguished himself in the oil and gas industry as a top engineer, extended his hearty congratulations to the Asaba king, wishing him a successful reign.
He said: “I wish, on behalf of my family, and the good people of Arochukwu ancient Kingdom, to extend our hearty congratulations on your emergence as the Asagba of Asaba.
“We have no doubt in our minds that your selection is divine; and we pray that your reign on the revered throne shall bring peace and God’s abundant blessings to Asaba people.”
Eze Eberechukwu Oji looks forward to having the new Asagba join the fold of Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC).
Prof. Epiphany Azinge, OON, SAN, was born on November 13, 1957 in Aba, Abia State, although he hails from Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State.
He attended St. Patrick’s College, Asaba between 1970 and 1975 and then proceeded to the University of Lagos in 1976, where he obtained a degree of Bachelor of Laws with a Second Class Upper Division.
He has distinguished himself in the legal profession, rising to the prestigious rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Interestingly, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, a scion of the Arochukwu Kingdom’s royal family in Abia State, was born on May 6, 1973 in Onitsha Olona, Iselukwu, Delta State.
As with Prof Azinge, Dr Eberechukwu Oji started out as an excellent student in school.
He went through the prestigious Methodist College Uzuakoli, and completed his secondary school education at another upscale institution – Government College Owerri.
He later earned a Second Class Upper degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
As with Prof Azinge also, Dr Eberechukwu Oji went on to establish his brilliance in the Oil and Gas industry, rising to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ND Western Limited.