Asagba Lauds Okowa As Dennis Osadebay University Holds Maiden Annual Lecture

By Frank Oshanugor

The immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has been warmly commended by the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge for establishing Dennis Osadebay University located at the Delta State capital of Asaba along with two other state universities in Agbor and Ozoro during his administration as Governor of the state.

The monarch who spoke at the maiden annual lecture organized by the four-year old Dennis Osadebay University (DOU) in collaboration with The Palace of Asagba of Asaba on Wednesday said the university was one of the great legacies of former Governor Okowa adding that “Asaba people will not forget it in a hurry.”

The Asagba recalled how Okowa as the then sitting Governor hinted him of his intention to establish three universities and subsequently took him along to the National Universities Commission (NUC) to seek approval, without him (Asagba) having the slightest knowledge that one of the proposed universities, (Dennis Osadebay University) was to be located in his town of Asaba.

“The interest and passion Okowa showed towards establishing the university and its early take off was overwhelming.” For this, the Asagba expressed great appreciation.

The one-day lecture which was held at Dennis Osadebay University 500-seater auditorium had its theme as: TRADITIONAL RULERS AND CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE: TOWARDS A BLEND OF MODERNITY AND CULTURAL RELATIVISM.

In his lecture, the keynote speaker, Prof. Ademola Popoola of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, gave a scholarly lecture, dwelling on the historical background of traditional rulership in Nigeria, colonial intervention and the emergent elite diffusion that largely eroded the traditional institution over the years.

The erudite Professor of International and Comparative Public Law noted that traditional rulers by virtue of their closeness to the people as custodians of culture, customs and traditions, have a royal voice that carries weight adding that “all that remains is the constitutional backing to the roles traditional rulers are playing, stressing that “there is no retirement age for the traditional rulers.”

He urged the traditional rulers to remain resolute in their position as custodians of people’s culture and tradition to promote the virtues of good governance.

Another keynote speaker on the same theme, Dr. Chris Onyemenem, pioneer Director/Chief Executive Officer of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) also made a historical dissection of the traditional institution and the trajectory of traditional rulership over the years with its inherent challenges.

Commenting on the presentations by Prof. Popoola and Dr. Onyemenem, the discussants took different approaches in critiquing the presentations vis-a-vis the theme of lecture.

Prof. Nnamdi Aduba commenting on the keynote presentations, posited that there was no plausible balance between traditional rulership and constitutional governance because the political class has not been comfortable with the traditional rulers especially the highly educated ones. He added that there was a limitation to finding balance between traditional institution and modernity.

Another discussant, Prof. Johnny Okongwu held that given the dynamic relationship between traditional rulership and the citizenry in most communities, it is easier for the traditional rulers to promote peace and security amongst their communities. Therefore traditional rulers should help the law enforcement agents to maintain peace and security.

He advised that people should have respect for traditional rulers who are the custodians of culture than the political leaders.

Barr. Ifeoma Iloba, another discussant noted that even though the roles of traditional rulers were not explicitly stated in the constitution, certain sections prescribed some premises upon which traditional rulers could make valid contributions to governance. She highlighted the relevance of traditional rulers through community engagement “as they are closer to the people.”

A Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC) and certified management trainer, Dr. Jude Iyitor who was one of the discussants paid tribute to Prof. Popoola for what he described as “profoundly detailed and insightful keynote address which provided a rich historical tapestry that is absolutely essential for understanding the complex relationship between traditional authority and modern governance in Nigeria.”

In evaluating Professor Popoola’s presentation, Iyitor through the lens of the Lecture’s theme, posited that the presentation excelled in establishing the necessary historical and cultural foundation for the discussion.

However, beyond the foregoing and other masterly postulations by the Professor of International and Comparative Public Law, Dr. Iyitor drew attention to the fact that the keynote speaker failed to adequately address some salient and associated issues with theme of the lecture.

These include the fact that the “forward-looking prescriptive part “Towards a Blend” remains an open question for the audience to ponder. You have given us all the pieces: the next step in this vital conversation is to collectively propose how they might fit together into a functional, respectful and modern model of governance that truly honours our cultural heritage,” he explained.

Speaking on the theme of the lecture, former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa said there was no doubt that traditional rulers were not given enough roles in present time like in pre-colonial era.

He explained however, that “it is not possible to go back to the roles of traditional rulers in pre-colonial time. We have heard so much about the historical background of traditional rulers but we are yet to get a definitive constitutional roles for them.”

Harping on the dynamics of the traditional rulership and modernity, the former governor said “it is repugnant for those in political offices to think of dethroning traditional rulers who may have abused their offices when it is evident that such traditional rulers were not appointed by those holding political offices.

To make themselves more relevant in contemporary democratic governance, Okowa has advised traditional rulers to go beyond their monthly meetings and come up strongly with recommendations on how best to bridge the gap.

He noted that traditional rulers have a lot of roles to play, stating that they could be intelligence gatherers for the law enforcement since they live with the people. He went ahead to recommend that traditional rulers could play advisory roles, conflict resolutions, adding that they should find a way to facilitate such roles to be included in the on going constitutional amendment.

According to the former governor, “voice of traditional rulers must not be ignored and such could only be possible if they are able to come together particularly now that traditional institution is expanding fast due to creation of more communities.

He commended management of Dennis Osadebay University for working assiduously towards taking the four-year institution to greater heights, explaining that since his administration established the university, his attendance at the annual lecture marked his first time at the University.

The incumbent Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori who was represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Johnbull Nyerhovwo Tonukari, paid glowing tribute to His Royal Majesty Obi Epiphany Azinge who just marked his 70th birthday, describing him as an outstanding traditional ruler who has used his education to blend tradition.

In his closing remarks, Chairman of the maiden Annual Lecture, The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, thanked every one who attended the annual lecture even as he appreciated Obi Azinge who took time to chair his own annual lecture in 2024 in Onitsha.

Achebe called on his colleagues in the traditional institution to work towards reversing the current trend of making and imposing laws from the top on traditional rulers by the political class instead of the traditional rulers making inputs from the vantage point of being custodians of the people’s culture.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Dennis Osadebay University, Prof. Ben Akpoyomare Oghojafor has expressed gratefulness to the Asagba for mooting the idea of the annual lecture series.

He added that through the immense assistance of Obi Prof Epiphany Azinge, the university which began with about 24 courses now has over 70 courses. According to him, through the assistance of the Asagba, Bachelor of Law degree programme has begun, now awaiting accreditation by the National Universities Commission.

Other dignitaries present at the annual lecture were the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) Effurun, Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga (former VC of DELSU), Arc. Kester Ifeadi (whose company built many structures in DOU), Hon. Ngozi Okolie of House of Representatives, Hon. Joan Amechi, Hon. Ikechukwu Maduemezie and many other personalities