The Asagba of Asaba Centenary Birth Anniversary Committee has rolled out programmes for the epoch making event, which will hold on July 28, 2024.
At a gathering at the Ogwa Ukwu Ahaba on Sunday, the Chairman of the Committee and Ojiba of Asaba, Chief (Dr.) Ben Okonta, said a week-long activity had been planned, beginning on Monday with a visit to the celebrant, Asagba (Prof) Chike Edozien, by the Asaba traditional hierarchy.
They are the Diokpas of the five villages, the red cap Chiefs, otherwise called Obi Igwes, the Olinzeles, who are Cabinet Chiefs, Otu Ihaza and the Okwelegwe group.
Chief Okonta said the Umu Adas and Ikpoho Ogbes would be visiting the Asagba on Tuesday, while Wednesday would be the turn of non indigenous communities and groups to visit.
The Ojiba pointed out that a football competition between the descendants of the two children of Nnebisi, Umu Oneh and Umuagunugbome, would take place on Thursday, while Friday has been reserved for a get together for the Olinzeles, Otu Ihaza and invited guests.
Speaking further on the Centenary Birth Anniversary, the Okilolo of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN), said 100 years in the life of any human being, irrespective of status or position, was worthy of celebration.
Prof Azinge, one of the Co-Chairmen of the Centenary Birth Anniversary Committee, remarked that the celebration was even more appropriate for Asagba (Prof) Chike Edozien, whom he described as a traditional ruler of distinction, world acclaimed intellectual and a global icon in all ramifications.
The Okilolo, who is the President General of the Asaba Development Union (ADU) worldwide, commended the Ojiba of Asaba, Chief (Dr.) Ben Okonta and the Isama of Asaba, Chief (Barr) Chuck Nduka-Ezu, for the vision of celebrating the 13th Asagba of Asaba and called on sons and daughters of the community at home and abroad to support the initiative.
For his part, the Isama of Asaba, Chief (Barr) Chuck Nduka-Eze, also a Co-Chairman of the Centenary Birth Anniversary Committee, said Sunday’s gathering was partly to flag off the celebration with the symbolic planting of 1000 trees, which was conducted by the Iyase of Asaba, Chief P. I. G. Onyeobi and supervised by the DG, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah, the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ngozi Okolie, Obi Benibe Ugboko,Obi Emma Eneam among others.
Chief Nduka-Eze, who stressed the importance of trees to life, said they would serve as a historic reference for generations yet unborn, as the trees would remind them that the 13th Asagba of Asaba, in whose honour they were planted, was a centenarian.
The legal luminary added that 1000 was a symbolic number in the history of Asaba, recalling that about 1000 men were gruesomely massacred in the community by the military during the war.
He noted that the entire community was involved in the celebration, which would reach its climax on July 28, 2024.
