OLINZELE TITLE: Not a Badge of Honor, It’s a Medal of Responsibility – Asagba of Asaba

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.