By Austin Ogwuda
The Asaba community said they will remain ever grateful to the late wife of the former Nigeria Military President, Maryam Ndidiamaka Babangida in making Asaba the Capital of Delta State when it was created in 1991, describing her as one of proud daughters of reckon.
The Iyase of Asaba (Prime Minister) Chief Patrick Onyeobi disclosed this when he went down memory lane during a press chat as part of the activities to commemorate her 76th post- humous birthday, held Wednesday at the Asagba’s palace.
His words: “When we were agitating for the creation of Delta state, we could not agree on the location of the state capital.
“We decided to leave it for the then Military President. A delegation was sent to Abuja to meet Babangida.
“We also decided to meet our daughter and talked to her about making Asaba the capital of the new State. We begged her that one of her great achievements should be to make Asaba the capital of Delta State. She smiled and we left.
“After a while Babangida announced Asaba as the State capital. We believed it was our daughter’s influence that decision. Some said it was the handiwork of God but we believed it was our daughter that caused it to happen. We pray history will be kind to her”, stated Onyeobi, who represented the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof Chile Edozien.
A week- long activities have been lined up for the post-humous birthday, which the Celebration Committee chairperson, Member representing Oshimili South Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon Bridget Anyafulu said would become an annual event to be marked every 1st of November from now on.