By Austin Ogwuda
…charges the Building Committee to be ready to account for every naira donated
THE Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba (Prof) Epiphany Azinge has commended the Member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon Ngozi Okolie for his readiness to commit the sum of N500 million to develop the Pavillion of the new Asagba’s palace under construction.
The Monarch gave the acclodes, weekend, while speaking at the ground breaking ceremony for the Asagba of Asaba Palace Project.
His words, “I want to thank our son, Rt. Hon. Ngozi Okolie, member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives for his unwavering support and commitment to this project.
“He (Ngozi Okolie) single handedly opted to develop the Pavilion of this complex for a sum of 500 million naira.
Asaba is eternally grateful to you. Asaba will not forget this gesture in a hurry. We can therefore look forward to the future with hope and great optimism in our capacity to achieve our objectives once we are collectively committed to it.
“This project has proved to be a rallying point for all Asaba people. May we all remain united in our resolve to push Asaba forward.
“My dear Asabarians, in the last 6 months you have supported me wholly as I piloted the affairs of our motherland. By the event of today, I feel re-energized to serve you relentlessly and selflessly. May God grant us peace and unity as we strive to build the Asaba of our dreams”.
.... harps on the importance of transparency and accountability
Continuing the Asagba stated that “I have made it known to all and sundry that Asaba sons and daughters will support any 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 all naira contributed for this project. I note with pride and delight that money donated so far came from only Asaba 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.
“Permit me on behalf of the good people of Asaba community to commend our Son, MR. EMMA ODIAKA, for single handedly fencing this large and expansive Palace ground and also commencing work on the Palace gate. May our ancestors bless and keep him. Let me not also forget to mention that so far he has personally donated over 120 million to this project. We cannot thank him enough. Let me urge him not to rest on his oars but to continue pushing together with me and Ndi Ahaba to ensure that this Palace project does not become an abandoned project. May I also thank profusely the chairman and members of the Palace building Committee.
“You have all worked tirelessly to bring us to this point of ground breaking. My special thanks to Okosisi Ahaba, Chief Uche Oduah for his selfless service to our motherland. May God reward you abundantly.My gratitude goes to Okpala Ebos, Diokpa Ogbes, Ndi Obi, Olinzele Ani, Nkpalors, Okwulagwes, Umuadas, Ikpoho Ogbes and Asaba sons and daughters in diaspora for their massive contribution to this Palace project. Many may not have donated for one reason or another.
.… to later seek support from friends and well-wishers, public functionaries, business moguls, in-laws, Government officials, etc
“May I urge that we all brace up and write our names in this historic project. Hereafter, we propose to extend our tentacles to friends and well-wishers, public functionaries, business moguls, in-laws, Government officials and public spirited Nigerians both at home and in diaspora to support this Palace project.
“It is expected that this multipurpose complex will be developed in segments. Hopefully we may be able to complete one or two of the segments around December”, he declared.
