THE Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, was one of the notable dignitaries who attended a thanksgiving mass as part of activities marking the coronation of the 14th Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof.) Epiphany Azinge.
Governor Oborevwori represented at the Holy Mass celebrated at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Asaba, Delta State capital by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, also saw other prominent figures in attendance.
They included former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori and a former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi.
Catholic Arch-Bishop Emeritus, Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, at the Holy Mass decried the situation where Nigerians are described as the most religious people in the world, yet the country is rated among the most corrupt countries of the world.
He congratulated the Asaba monarch, wishing him a peaceful and successful reign.
Stressing the need for Nigerians “to pursue the true God and find the truth”, he said “Nigeria is supposed to be the most religious country in the world and at the same time one of the most corrupt nation in the world. How can a people that are religious be corrupt at the same time? Something must be wrong.
“There must be something wrong with the religions that we have and we will definitely look at it carefully.”
Onaiyekan said he was praying that “all of us who claim to be religious in Nigeria will do our best to seek God and Godliness first.”
Earlier in his Homily, the Catholic Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Bishop Michael Elue, said the Asagba of Asaba recognises that “all authority come from God and that such authority are given for the common good.”
He said HRM Obi (Prof.) Epiphany Azinge “is a man who is very close to his God, realising that not only is the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, but also that without the assistance of God, no good can be achieved by anyone and no strategy, no matter how accurately thought out, can be successful.”
He said “this celebration affords us the opportunity to take legitimate pride in the fact that the Asagba of Asaba is a Catholic and therefore, we pray for him to be exceptionally good in his office.”
HRM Obi (Prof.) Epiphany Azinge was crowned on October 5, 2024 as the 14th Asagba of Asaba and presented with a Staff of Office on 28 November, 2024 by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in person.
Also in attendance were; the former Senator representing Delta North, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, member representing Aniocha/Oshimili in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ngozi Okolie, Obi of Owa.
