Nigeria @66: Asagba Azinge Joins Oborevwori At Asaba Cenotaph, Calls For Hope
By PAULINA NZERUBE
HIS Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, OON, FNIALS, FICMIC, LLD (HC), KSJI, KSG, joined Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other dignitaries in Asaba to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The ceremony took place at the Cenotaph on Thursday 1st October, bringing together government officials, traditional rulers, security chiefs, business leaders and other prominent Deltans and Nigerians.
Governor Oborevwori used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to development and improved living conditions across Delta State.
He also called on Deltans to protect the peace in the state. According to him, continued stability remains important to sustainable development.
Meanwhile, the governor announced that Julius Berger Nigeria Plc would be mobilised to intervene in critical flood-prone roads across the state.
The announcement came amid concerns over the impact of flooding on road infrastructure and movement in several parts of Delta. A separate report on the anniversary ceremony also said the governor directed Julius Berger to repair a flood-damaged section of the East-West Road along the Agbarho-Ughelli axis.
Speaking during the ceremony, Asagba Azinge reflected on Nigeria’s 66-year journey since independence.
The monarch acknowledged the difficulties the country has experienced, including the civil war and terrorism. Nevertheless, he noted that Nigeria had remained a single political entity despite those challenges.
“With all the challenges – civil war, terrorism, amongst others – Nigeria has remained one united entity after 66 years,” he said.
Asagba Azinge therefore urged Nigerians to move beyond prolonged setbacks and pursue greater national progress.
He said the country should “stop crawling” and begin “walking” and “running”, while maintaining that previous difficulties should not prevent citizens from remaining hopeful about the future.
For the monarch, effective leadership would remain central to that aspiration. He said Nigeria could make appreciable progress through leadership anchored on knowledge, patriotism and commitment to the national interest.
He also described peace in Asaba as an important foundation for the city’s development, while commending what he described as the peaceful disposition of its people.
As the anniversary celebrations continued, Asagba Azinge extended his goodwill to Asaba sons and daughters, Deltans and Nigerians.
His message ultimately centred on resilience, unity and optimism as Nigeria entered another year of independence.
