The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, OON, FNIALS, has attributed all he has achieved since ascending the throne to the cooperation and understanding of Asaba people.
He made the remark on Friday at Ogwa-Ukwu Ahaba during the presentation of 12 University scholarship awards to indigent but exceptionally brilliant students of the community, as part of activities lined up for his 1st coronation anniversary.
The Asagba placed on record the commitment and dedication of the various Committees he set up to drive the development of Asaba, noting specifically the roles of the Welfare and Endowment Fund Committee, the Coronation Anniversary Planning Committee, the Asaba Development Union Trust Fund Committee, amongst others.
His Royal Majesty said the scholarship programme was designed to bridge the gap created by the absence of a similar programme for sons and daughters of the community in the past, stressing that the beneficiaries should consider themselves lucky to have been selected.
Asagba Prof Azinge pointed out that at a time some communities awarded scholarships to their first set of University students, especially in the fields of medicine and law, Asaba did not consider it expedient to do so, explaining the corollary of children sent abroad for further studies by their families not owing the community any obligation.
He told the beneficiaries: “We are not trying to tie anybody down. But we want you to always remember that it is Asaba that sent you out; that you are studying through the instrumentality of the sweat of Asaba; that in the fullness of time you are expected to give back to this land.
“Under ADU we have helped some persons along that line, though we didn’t follow up on them. So, those of you listed as beneficiaries the ball is in your court. From the level you are in your academic programmes, if you can justify the offer, we are prepared to take you to the highest level.
“That’s why the criteria are that you must be brilliant, you must be indigent and you must be in a public institution. So, you will be getting a cheque of N500,000 each per session, but you must take your studies seriously because if you fall by the way side, we will fall by the road side.
“Mind you, this is a two-way thing. Some people when they are comfortable they lose focus. But there are some that succeed by their sweat. Please don’t allow this motivation, this inspirational device from Asaba to make you to derail. Always remember that you are on this journey by the generosity of the Asaba community, and we will closely monitor your behavioral conduct, your discipline as a student, and everything you do.
“If before now you were aiming to make Second Class Upper or Second Class Lower, you should now be able to make First Class in your respective disciplines because your educational burden has been taken over by the community and you can now compete with children from rich homes.
“Your success is in your hands. We are only trying to start what was not there before, using you as an experiment. We are not expecting you to pay us back, but you must understand that you need to give back to the society at the appropriate time. All the money we have been spending is from our sons and daughters who are giving back to the community, unsolicitedly.
“It is from giving back that we have the likes of Ogbueshi Tony Ndah, who is building the Palace Museum at a cost of N400 million, Emma Odiaka, who has agreed to build the Palace Library for N200,000 million, and Rt. Hon Ngozi Okolie, who has been persuaded to award a contract for the Palace Pavilion, estimated to cost N600,000 million.
“Our people are capable of giving back and you should not be an exception. Remember the day you were invited to this hall. Remember the day you were presented with cheques and humble yourselves and read. You no longer have to depend on your parents because Asaba now stands as your parents.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Welfare and Endowment Fund Committee, Chief Prof Josephine Anene-Okeakwa; said the scholarship programme was initially meant for 10 students, two each from the five Ebos, but that the Asagba added two more names to bring the number to 12.
Prof Okeakwa highlighted other interventions of the Committee on the Asagba’s directive to include the provision of 100 chair and desks for Asagba Mixed Secondary School, provision of 300 text books for three Primary Schools, empowerment of 100 poor and vulnerable Indigenes of Asaba, payment of bursary award to 100 Asaba students in tertiary institutions, the funding of the recently commissioned KAINEBISI statue, amongst others.
She said she was happy to work with the King, describing him as transparent, highly disciplined, generous, and passionate about the development of Asaba.
Why Delta North Needs a Ranking Senator With Experience, Legislative Expertise...