We’re Rebranding Asaba Mega City, Complementing Govt’s Efforts, Says Asagba Azinge

–         Sets foundation stone of Asaba Heritage Museum

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba 

The foundation stone of the Asaba Heritage Museum has been laid on the nascent Asagba of Asaba Permanent Palace ground in Asaba, the Delta State capital, with the monarch stressing the project was in line with the palace’s complementary initiatives to rebranding Asaba to a megacity. 

Performing the ceremony at the weekend, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge (SAN), noted that the gigantic project was an impressive response to his appeal to sons and daughters of Asaba to contribute to the rebranding of Delta State’s capital as the nation’s fastest-growing city.

His Majesty, who thanked Ogbueshi Tony Ndah and Tony Ndah Foundation for stepping forward to singularly execute and bankroll the multi-million project, stated the government could not do everything hence the citizens should complement government’s efforts as much as possible.

Although, the Asaba Palace Museum was not captured in the original plan and contract for the permanent palace building, Tomy Ndah elected to undertake the project at an estimated cost of N400 million, he disclosed.

The museum project, with half of the contract sum already provided, should be completed by December even as work on the main palace building progressed steadily with funds already generated by the Asaba community, he added.

Asagba Azinge said, “Today, by the grace of God and thanks to our son, Ogbueshi Tony Ndah, who has not only promised but, in fullness of the vision, made available the money for the building of this museum.

“We are so grateful to him and we are here to lay the foundation of the project. We envisage that come December this year the building would have been fully completed and handed over to us for use.

“We are also conscious of the fact that this building cannot stand alone or in isolation, and we are working assiduously to ensure that other corporate and complimentary structures are also completed within the same period.

“We are confident that come October, 2026, by the grace of God my second coronation anniversary, that this place would have been fully commissioned, dedicated and opened fully to the public.

“So, we are very grateful to God and thank our sons and daughters for their commitment and dedication to the cause of Asaba and for their support and solidarity to the throne so far.

“We hope this will be a signal to all others wherever they may be, to also find a way of supporting what we are doing in Asaba. We are trying to brand Asaba and rebrand it to the best of our ability; to make it a shining star on our horizon, to ensure that Asaba remains the fastest-growing state capital in Nigeria.

“I have said it repeatedly, that government cannot do everything for us. There are certain things we must do for ourselves and this is a clear example and a testimony to the fact that truly we are prepared to do certain things for ourselves and we are doing them very well. 

“So, I want to appreciate all and sundry, all those who came out today to support this endeavor. It is our prayer that, by the grace of God and also the instrumentality of our forebears and ancestors, that this building will be completed on record schedule and without any hindrance.” 

Meanwhile, the erudite royal father announced that another illustrious son of Asaba, Emma Odiaka, had promised to erect the Asagba Palace Library, which was also not in the original plan and contract; beside several corporate promises of various support for the main palace building, including the pavilion, whose contract was expected to be awarded next week.