Multi billion naira Asagba palace ready in six months - says Prof. Azinge

By Ajuwa Victor

The Asagba Of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge said that the multi billion naira Asagba palace will be completed in six months.

Azinge disclosed this, on Saturday 12/4/2025 , at the occasion of ground breaking ceremony of the multi billion naira palace building in Asaba, Delta State.

Hear him ” Today is indeed a special day in the history of our land. I am particularly delighted that we, the people of Asaba, together have been able to achieve this milestone in the developmental trajectory of our land.

“In the course of my journey to the throne of our forebears, I penciled the building of the Asagba’s Palace as one of my priorities. I predicated my promise on the premise that as the President General of Asaba Development Union, I had pursued this dream with missionary zeal, enthusiasm and commitment. It was during this period that I commissioned the architectural drawings of this Palace and flowed it up to its completion. I am delighted to inform us that our own son, Architect Patrick Elikwu, did all the architectural drawing free of charge. I give him tremendous credit and commend him as a great son of our land”.

According to Prof. Epiphany, he said that the drawing of Architect Patrick Elikwu gave the impetus to drive and build the palace and quickly dusted the architectural drawing upon his ascension in the throne.

He maintained that, this welcome development has made things easier for the good people of Ahaba to move faster than should be and that the Ahaba’s are happy to be here to break grounds for the multi billion naira project barely 6 months after his coronation as the 14th Asagba of Asaba.

Azinge commended/pay public tribute to the forebears who hitherto worked assidously for the building of a Palace for the Asagba of Asaba and that concerns efforts were made, money donated, some structures put in place, but paucity of funds and absence of clear-cut architectural design were major impediments in the pursuit of the objective.

The Asagba thanked the good people of Ahaba for queuing solidly behind him and grandly demonstrating their support and solidarity in a way and manner far beyond his expectation.

He added “I am proud of our sons and daughters who tasked themselves and donated generously to this project. It is not yet uhuru but we are supremely optimistic that together and with our collective efforts, this project will be completed in a record time.

He went further ” I have made it known to all and sundry that Ahaba sons and daughters will support my great initiative once they believe in the integrity of the process. Today, I publicly proclaim and urge members of the building committee to make transparency and accountability their watchword. Let it be said that we will account for every penny contributed for this project.

” I note with pride and delight that the money donated so far came from only Ahaba sons and daughters. No doubt, we may not be able to carry this huge burden alone. But it is important that we demonstrate to would-be supporters that we mean business and we have successfully shown a marker of our commitment and resolve to drive this project to a positive conclusion” .

Epiphany hails, Mr. Emma Odiaka, for single handedly fenced the large and expansive palace ground and also commencing work on the palace gate.

He noted that, Mr. Emma Odiaka has personally donated over One Hundred and Twenty Million Naira(#120,000,000) for the palace project.

In thesame vein, the Asagba commended Ogbueshi Rt. Hon. Ngozi Okolie, Member Representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives for his unwavering support and commitment in the said project.

He stated that Hon. Ngozi Okolie single handedly opted to develop the pavilion with the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira(#500,000,000).

And that the palace building committee have gotten the sum of Four Hundred and Fifty-Four Million Naira(#454,000,000) and to sum up the Five Hundred Million Naira(#500,000,000) for the pavilion as pledged by Ogbueshi Rt. Hon. Ngozi Okolie, which is close to One Billion Naira(#1,000,000,000).

In an interview with newsmen Hon. Ngozi Okolie, thanked the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge for his effort and courage in the palace building which he described as a welcome development.

He commended the good people of Asaba who came out enmass to witness the ground breaking of the multi billion naira Asagba palace.

Okolie thanked the palace building committee chairman and members for making the event looked colourful and well organized.

While thanking sons and daughters of Asaba for their cooperation/support during the event.

Speaking at the occasion, the palace building committee chairman Mr. Uche Oduah said is a thing of joy to welcome the good people of Ahaba on this auspicious ceremony.

The former head of service, Sir Okey Ofili who represented the committee chairman said, the ceremony that is not only aimed at reshaping our history, but also at elevating our status amongst the committee of ours in anioma Delta State and the entire Nigeria.

He said the idea of building the permanent palace for the revere throne of Asaba kingdom is long overdue and that the time is now right.

Ofili maintained that Umu-Ahaba appears to be more than ready to take the bow by the horn under the fought right leadership of his royal majesty Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge (SAN) the 14th Asagba of Asaba.

He said that, the mammoth crowds gathered in the ground breaking palace building is an eloquent testimony to the aforesaid assertion are just there.

Okey added that, as it stands correctly a visitor to our town looking for the palace of the traditional ruler of Asaba would be taken to the private residence of the traditional ruler, the impression of the visitor can be better imagine than described.

He said that, hoping to see an official imposing edifice reflecting the reach cultural heritage of a people of Asaba.

While thanking sons and daughters of Asaba who came from far and near to witness the multi billion naira Asagba palace ground breaking.