Asaba Targets Festive Tourism Boom As Actors Guild Seeks Monarch’s Support For Carnival
By NWAFOR AZINGE
THE Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge (SAN, OON), has pledged support for the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) as the organisation seeks to expand cultural activities and create greater opportunities for young people in Asaba.
Azinge gave the assurance when the Delta State chapter of the guild, led by its chairman, Prince Kelvin Uvo Oghogho, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace on 2 November 2026.
Welcoming the delegation, the monarch appreciated the participation of Asaba indigenes in the guild. Nevertheless, he urged its leadership to encourage more women from the community to join the organisation.
He described the proposal presented by the actors as a suitable corporate social responsibility initiative. Consequently, he assured them that the palace would support efforts that could promote Asaba and benefit its residents.
The monarch also challenged the guild to help transform Asaba into a vibrant centre for entertainment and festive celebrations. He noted that the city was floating a football club as part of a broader effort to rebrand its identity and tell its story.
Drawing attention to the economic benefits of festive activities in Lagos, Azinge encouraged the actors to replicate similar initiatives in Asaba. He said a sustained programme of entertainment and cultural events could attract visitors and stimulate economic activities during the festive season.
Beyond the carnival proposal, however, the monarch expressed concern about the growing number of actors’ associations. He observed that several parallel organisations had also visited his palace.
He therefore advised the AGN to pursue unity by bringing the different bodies together under one umbrella organisation. In addition, he promised to provide financial support to the guild.
Earlier, Oghogho expressed appreciation for the monarch’s hospitality, particularly because the palace had received the guild shortly after its previous visit.
He explained that the delegation had returned to fulfil assignments given during their earlier engagement. Accordingly, he presented Mr. Ejiofor Amantu as Chief Protocol Officer and Ogbueshi Peter Nwabuzor as Head of Committee for the Delta State branch.
The chairman also announced plans for what he described as a first-of-its-kind carnival festival in Asaba, to be held around Shoprite. He appealed to the monarch to approve and encourage the participation of Asaba youths.
According to him, young people would have opportunities to display traditional clothing, celebrate their cultural identity and compete in cooking contests featuring indigenous dishes.
Oghogho assured the monarch that the guild would carry Asaba residents along in its activities. He said the organisation valued the monarch’s warm reception and would continue working towards the cultural and social development of the city.
