By Abiola Olawale
Professor Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, a Professor of Law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) has been officially crowned the 14th Asagba of Asaba in Delta State.
The New Diplomat reports that Azinge was crowned in a ceremony which was held at the Asagba’s Palace in Asaba, Delta State at the weekend. Recall that the New Diplomat had earlier broken the story of how he was tipped.
During the ceremony, Azinge received the staff of office, marking the beginning of his reign after the 13th Asagba of Asaba, Professor Joseph Chike Edozien, joined his ancestors in February 2024.
Azinge was also presented with the keys to the Ogwa Ukwu after which he was anointed and formally crowned the 14th Asagba of Asaba in the presence of members of the Asagba-in-Council, Obi’s, chiefs, and eminent personalities from within and outside the state.
In his acceptance speech, Obi Azinge, who was flanked by his wife, Agu Nwanyi Valerie Azinge, thanked the Ochendo for effectively modifying the peaceful and transparent process that led to his selection and urged other eminent contenders who were not as lucky as he was to join him in giving Asaba a purposeful reign.
He also reiterated his pledge to bring about the needed transformation that would reposition Asaba for greatness, promising to collaborate with the government to ensure the realization of set goals.
The New Diplomat reports that Azinge was born on November 13, 1957, in Aba, Abia State, even though he hails from Asaba, OshiÂmili South L.G.A of Delta State. He attended St. Patrick’s College, Asaba, between 1970 and 1975 and then proceeded to the University of Lagos in 1976, where he obtained a degree of Bachelor of Laws with a Second Class Upper Division.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1980 and proceeded to the University of London for his LL.M degree specialising in Comparative ConÂstitutional Law and Shipping Law in 1983 and completed his PhD in 1986, writing his doctoral thesis on “Electoral Laws in Nigeria”. He began his academic career at the University of Benin in 1981, where he taught several courses including the Nigerian Legal System, Legal Process, JurisÂprudence, Constitutional Law, Labour Law, PubÂlic International Law and Administrative Law.
He also taught Information Technology Law and Law of Taxation at the University of Abuja. To demonstrate his extreme passion for educaÂtion he also taught the Nigerian Legal System at the Nassarawa State University, free of charge. At the University of Benin, he held several positions in academics and administration.
He was appointed Special Assistant to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF) where he served from 1991 to 1997.
He was a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (2004 -2008), a Member of the NBA Continuing Legal Education Committee (2003 -2006), Chairman of the NBA SecÂtion on Business Law and its Sub Committee on Sports and Entertainment. He was elevated to the status of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2006.
