The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, has announced the setting up of a Committee to determine the traditional administration of justice in his kingdom.

The Committee, according to the Prof of Law and two-term Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the Committee is headed by Chike Onyemenam, SAN.

Disclosing this while playing host to members of the Otu Ihaza of Asaba who paid him a visit, Asagba Prof Azinge said the Committee would consider the jurisdiction of the community’s appeal panel, the time frame for filing appeal and the cases within the jurisdiction of the appeal panel to entertain.

The Asagba said the Committee had been mandated to carry out the assignment as quickly as possible and could co-opt the Onoi and Olotor, representing the Ebos, in the course of the engagement.

He expressed the hope that the concerns raised, including the relationship between the Otu Ihaza and the Dispute Resolution Panel, the possibility of ratifying the decisions of the Panel and whether or not to increase the fines, would be addressed in the anticipated Committee’s report.

His Royal Majesty commended the group for delivering on its mandate in spite of the obvious challenges it had to  contend with, expressing satisfaction with the level of commitment and dedication of the members and promising to look into the issue of dilapidated secretariat of the institution.

Earlier, the Onoi of Asaba and leader of the Otu Ihaza, Ogbueshi Uche Nwajei, highlighted the challenges militating against the effective functioning of the group and urged the Asagba to look into them to position the body to seamlessly play its role.

They include the relationship between the group and the Dispute Resolution Panel, unspecified time frame for filing of appeal, the possibility of increasing the group’s fine and dilapidated secretariat.

The Olinzeles of Asaba have been reminded that the tile is not a badge of honor, but a medal of responsibility.

The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON FNIALS, made the remark when Obi Nwanyi, Chinwe Monu-Oduah, visited the palace to renew her oath of allegiance.

The Asagba emphasized that the Olinzele title was not meant to glamorize the holder, but to position him or her to shoulder the burden of responsibility, duty and obligation tied to it for the overall good of the community.

He explained that the renewal of the oath of allegiance was normal and in tune with the culture and traditions of the people, adding that it only involved swearing and affirming allegiance, not to any object, god nor deity, but as a moral duty, with no consequences attached.

The highly respected and influential traditional ruler, therefore, dismissed the notion that fetishism had overtaken religion in Asaba, stressing that he only continued with the trajectory he met, which had been there for over five decades.

Asagba Prof Azinge congratulated Obi Nwanyi Monu-Oduah on the historic renewal of the oath of allegiance, disclosing that she was the first female Olinzele to renew, and more fundamentally the first Obi to so do as an Olinzele.

He urged Obi Nwanyi Monu-Oduah, formerly a member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, as well as one-time Transition Committee Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government, and indeed other Olinzeles, to use their positions to promote, protect and defend the culture and traditions of the land.

The Asagba further congratulated the Obi Nwanyi on her recent election as the President of the Asaba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ASACCIMA) and urged her to use the position to positively impact the community.

In her remarks after subscribing to the relevant oaths, Obi Nwanyi Chinwe Monu-Oduah, pledged unwavering loyalty and support for Asagba Prof Azinge, describing him as a king of honour, integrity, wisdom and vision.

Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen says the state internally generated revenue increased by 90%, jumping from N83 billion in January 2023 to N158 billion in December 2024—without raising personal income taxes.

Mr Ekedayen made this known in Asaba in his goodwill message during a Community Media Seminar.

The Delta Commissioner, represented by his S.A., Mr. Charles Iyoha stated further that Delta had emerged the 5th largest economy in the country , and had reduced its debt by 46.6%, from N465.3 billion to N249.2 billion.

He said the oil and gas sector remained key, and had contributed 48.7% of the state’s GDP, while the agriculture, and manufacturing sectors were expanding rapidly, making the state a hub for investment.

Mr Ekedayen hinted that Delta State had become the epicentre of tourism, entertainment, and education for other states to emulate.

“Delta is a land of immense possibilities with a very impressive GDP. We rank as Nigerian’s fifth largest economy. Our economic pillars: oil and gas which accounts for 48.7 per cent of our GDP.

”Services, agriculture and manufacturing sectors position Delta State as a dynamic investment destination. The services sector encompasses tourism, entertainment and education thrive as Asaba is the Nollywood hub.

“The MORE agenda of the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has made remarkable achievements.” stated Ekedayen.

On social development programme, the Delta Commissioner for economic planning revealed that it was aimed at supporting vulnerable people and promoting inclusive growth across the state

He described the theme of the seminar:The Impact Of Adequate Reporting Of The MORE Agenda To The Grassroots, as apt, saying “it resonates deeply with our vision to showcase Delta State vast potentials, and leveraging publishing media to impact our economic opportunities, cultural heritage and transformative growth.”

“Your platforms are vital in promoting our investment-ready environment, rich culture, and economic progress. We urge you to partner us in showing the world what Delta has to offer.”

Credit: FRCN

Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Hon. Sonny Ekedayen has urged publishers of community newspapers and magazines to always report the progress and investments made by the incumbent administration to all and sundry.

The Honourable Commissioner made the call in his goodwill message during the Community Newspapers and Magazines Publishers seminar held at Ebenezer Hotel, Asaba Delta state capital, with the theme: “Impact Of Adequate Reporting of the MORE AGENDA to the Grassroots”

The Honourable Commissioner, who was ably represented by his Special Assistant, Mr. Charles Iyoha noted that the theme of the programme was apt and  resonated deeply with the goal to showcase the state’s economic potentials.

According to him; ” this theme resonates deeply with our vision to showcase Delta state vast potentials, and leverage the publishing media to impact our economic opportunities, cultural,  heritage and transformative growth”.

He maintained that Delta becoming the 5th largest economy in Nigeria was as a result of planned and successful implementation of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s vision for the state through his MORE AGENDA mantra.

“We are ranked as the Nigeria 5th largest economy, our economic Pilar’s are oil and gas, which have contributed 48.7 percent to our GDP, Agriculture, manufacturing position Delta state a dynamics investment destination”

He said the oil and gas sector remained key, and had contributed 48.7% of the state’s GDP, while the agriculture, and manufacturing sectors were expanding rapidly, making the state a hub for investment.

The Commissioner hinted that Delta State had become the epicentre of tourism, entertainment, and education for other states to emulate.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the state government had reduced its debt by 46.6%, from N465.3 billion to N249.2 billion, while internally generated revenue increased by 90%, jumping from N83 billion in January 2023 to N158 billion in December 2024—without raising personal income taxes.

“The administration MORE AGENDA has driven remarkable achievements, our IGR sourge by 90 percent from 83 billion January 2023 to 158 billion in December 2024 without increase in persona taxes.”

On social development programme, the Commissioner hinted that it was aimed at supporting vulnerable people and promoting inclusive growth across the state.