By Austin Ogwuda
….For me the only industry we need in Asaba is peace. Peace will continue to make Asaba an investors’ haven – Asagba
Urhobo indigenes living in Asaba, Delta State capital, Nigeria have warmly acknowledged the hospitality of Asaba people while pledging their loyalty to the traditional ruler, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Epiphany Azinge (SAN), declaring that they too, are his subjects.
The Chairman of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) Asaba branch, Olorogun Austin Akpede stated this when he led a delegation of the Union on courtesy visit to the Asagba.
Akpede said they, the Urhobos in Asaba do consider themselves as subjects to the Asagba while thanking the monarch for the positive things happening in Asaba in less than one year he ascended the throne, especially the significant improvement in electricity supply, pointing out that it is a good omen for the Asaba kingdom and an indication of better days ahead.
Responding, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Azinge urged the delegation to “Continue to join us in sueing for peace in this land because that is the foundation of all that is happening around us.
“Asaba is growing in lips and bounds and I often state that Asaba, for me today, is the fastest growing state capital not just in Nigeria, but in Africa south of the Sahara. We have all made it possible.
“One thing I can say about non indigenes, including your people (Urhobo) is that they believe in Asaba and they have invested so much here. You see people building here and there which is good. If you don’t find favour here you won’t invest in the land, so it means that you have shown that you believe in our land and we encourage you.
“For me the only industry we need in Asaba is peace. Peace will continue to make Asaba an investors’ haven and that is why people from all parts of Nigeria are coming in on a daily basis in their numbers because of the peace that reigns supreme in our land.
“That is why I will never tolerate anything that will disrupt the peace in our land because when there is peace, every other good thing will follow. And that is why we go out of our way to reason out of the box to get involved in what ordinarily should be the sphere of influence of government because we have come to the realization that it is not everything that should be left for government”, he emphatically stated.
*Source: GALLANT REPORTERS
