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Details Of Tinubu’s Meeting With South-South Monarchs Emerge

Details Of Tinubu’s Meeting With South-South Monarchs Emerge.
He also demanded a federal university in Asaba for regional development.
Tinubu assured the monarchs of a future visit to the South-South.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday met with a delegation of South-South traditional rulers, led by the Asagba of Asaba, Epiphany Azinge, at the State House in Abuja. The meeting focused on historical grievances, regional development, and calls for greater federal presence in Asaba and the South-South region.

One of the key issues raised during the meeting was the 1967 Asaba massacre, a tragic event that saw federal troops reportedly execute unarmed civilians who had gathered in a peace procession after the recapture of the town during the Nigerian Civil War.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Azinge urged the Federal Government to officially acknowledge the massacre and issue a long-overdue apology to the affected families.

“Among other requests, we mentioned to him the massacre of Asaba people in 1967 and that our people need some apology if need be in that regard,” Azinge stated. He emphasized that recognizing the atrocity would be a significant step toward healing historical wounds and fostering national unity. Survivors and their families have long sought official acknowledgment and redress, but successive governments have failed to act on their demands.

In addition to the apology, Azinge called for increased federal presence in Asaba, particularly highlighting the need for a federal university. He noted that Asaba remains the only state capital in Nigeria without a federal university, describing this as a major concern for the region’s development.

“Asaba remains the only state capital in Nigeria without a federal university. We need institutions in our locality, and that for us is a major concern,” he stated. The monarch stressed that educational development was crucial for the economic and social growth of the region.

Despite raising concerns, Azinge acknowledged and appreciated some of the federal government’s ongoing projects in Delta State. He specifically highlighted the construction of the access road to the Niger Bridge and the routing of a gas pipeline through Asaba and Awka as important developments that would benefit the region.

“We acknowledged and appreciated some of the gestures extended by the federal government to our area, especially the access road to the Niger Bridge and the passing of a gas line through Asaba to Awka, all of which are in progress,” he said.

Azinge expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s administration, acknowledging the challenges of governing a diverse country like Nigeria but praising his leadership efforts. “There might be some hiccups, but on the whole, we score him highly in that regard, and we pray for him. It is a very difficult country to govern. There will always be criticisms here and there, but I believe he is on the right track, and we wish him the very best,” he stated.

The meeting was described as both a thank-you and a solidarity visit, with Azinge recalling that a previous delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, had represented the President at the burial of his predecessor, the 13th Asagba of Asaba.

Details Of Tinubu’s Meeting With South-South Monarchs Emerge

Azinge concluded by revealing that President Tinubu assured the delegation that he would visit Asaba during his next tour of the South-South region. “On the whole, it turned out to be a wonderful visit. He appreciated our coming and indicated that whenever he visits the South-South, he will make a stop in Asaba,” he said.