OSHIMILI SOUTH CEMETERY: An Idea Whose Time Has Come – Asagba Prof Azinge

The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON; has said a public cemetery in Asaba is long overdue.

He made the remark during the groundbreaking of the Oshimili South Local Government Cemetery, located at Obiaije Layout, off Ibusa road, Asaba.

The Monarch recalled that he sold the idea of a cemetery in Asaba to the Local Government Chairman, Dr. Obi Kelvin Ezenyili, before he ascended the throne, following his dissatisfaction with the practice of burying the dead within residential areas of the town.

This, he noted, was not good for Asaba, which unarguably had become the fastest growing state capital, not only in Nigeria but also in Africa south of the Sahara, expressing appreciation to the Local Government for the bold initiative of changing the narrative.

The Asagba announced that he would, in no distant future, make a proclamation banning the burial of the dead within the community, as a step toward encouraging the use of the cemetery, explaining that the cemetery was not only the most appropriate place for burials on account of public health interest, but also to ensure a seamless transition of beloved ones.

He said: “It’s an idea whose time has come, and I can say from my appreciation of the situation in Asaba today, that even the naysayers hitherto have come to accept this as a contemporary reality and one that they will have to identify with and key into. So, this is a very big project for Oshimili South Local Government and for all of us and we are happy to be alive to witness this groundbreaking, believing that it will be a signpost for all and sundry that we have started this journey and there’s no going back.

“I pray that it will progress rapidly because the speed with which we will go will determine when I will be in a position to make my proclamation. I give myself, may be another six months, then I will make a proclamation banning the burial of the dead within Asaba kingdom. With that we will be left with no other option than to head towards this cemetery so that every other person will be buried here. 

“We have listened to the statistics put together that we should be expecting about 9000 burials within a year; and that’s quite a large number. But with this we can now look forward to a seamless transition of our beloved ones and the whole essence of my coming here is to use this medium to create awareness of this place so that people will get to know that very shortly we will embark on the proclamation; and that will mean that every other Asaba person who dies will be buried here.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government, Hon Dr. Obi Kelvin Ezenyili; said the idea of the proposed cemetery was sequel to the charge of the Asagba, who also requested the Council to build public toilets in Asaba.

Dr. Ezenyili said the cemetery would not only impact positivity on the environment, but also improve public health, especially as it concerned sinking of bore holes within Asaba, with graves dotted in every part of the villages.

The Council Chairman pointing out that the involvement of the Asagba fast tracked the idea of the cemetery, disclosing that the provision of public toilets in the state capital was already receiving attention.

He maintained that having the cemetery was the way to go in modern day burial, adding that the ground would serve people in Asaba, Oko, Okwe, as well as residents of the State Capital Territory, who would need to be sensitized on the need for the cemetery before its completion and commissioning.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the Oshimili South Cemetery Limited, Chief Afam Obiago; said the 350 vault unit-cemetery would have an administrative block, a chapel/reception hall, digital record keeping gadgets, Close Circuit TV cameras, road and drainage system, car park and Green lawn area.

Chief Obiago commended Asagba Prof Azinge for his behind the scene push for the facility, which he noted would change the age-long narrative of burying the dead in the heart of the town.