Soyinka and dignitaries celebrate as the Asagba of Asaba confers the Olinzele chieftaincy title on environmentalist Newton Jibunoh.
Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka and other prominent guests gathered in Asaba on Saturday as the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, bestowed the traditional title of Olinzele of Asaba on renowned environmentalist and businessman, Chief Newton Jibunoh.
The conferment formed part of activities marking the Asagba’s second Coronation Anniversary and was the monarch’s first chieftaincy award since he ascended the throne in October 2024.
Azinge said he departed from his earlier decision not to confer any chieftaincy title until 2027 because of Jibunoh’s values and his strong ties to Asaba’s cultural heritage.
“I strongly believe you will add a lot of value and will enrich the tradition and customs of Asaba, because of the ideals you stand for and your attachment to the cultural norms and values of our community,” the monarch told Jibunoh.
Azinge said he had made his position known shortly after becoming Asagba on 5 October 2024.
“I made it very clear that I will not confer any chieftaincy until 2027. But nothing is cast in stone.
“When it became absolutely necessary for me to shift ground, I had to because of Chief Newton Jibunoh,” he said.
The Asagba described the occasion as a significant milestone, noting that the conferment held special meaning for him because of his connection with former Asagbas.
“Today is historic in many ways than one. This is the first conferment I’m conferring under my traditional rulership. And it speaks volume in many ways,” he said.
Azinge recalled that he had also been honoured with the title of Okilolo of Asaba by the 13th Asagba, Asagba Prof. Chike Edozie, in 2011.
“Today, I feel reconnected to my forebears, particularly to my immediate predecessor, the 13th Asagba of Asaba, Asagba Prof. Chike Edozie, because on a day like this in 2011, I also knelt before him, to be conferred with the title of Okilolo of Asaba.
“So for me, to do this for the first time since my ascension truly is a reconnection with my forebears and my ancestors.”
The monarch said Jibunoh’s nomination came unexpectedly after he developed what he described as a strong feeling that the renowned environmentalist deserved to be made a chief in Asaba.
“He came out of the blues. I was at the Mandela Gardens for something else. And the premonition and every other thing just came, that he deserved to be a Chief of Asaba.
“There and then, without any discussion, I nominated him for a chieftaincy. Mark you, not being from Asaba, it’s not automatic,” Azinge said.
He said the customary requirements for conferring a title on a non-indigene were observed, including securing the approval of the recipient’s traditional ruler.
“The tradition in Delta State is that for you to confer chieftaincy title on somebody who is not from your kingdom, you must seek clearance from his own traditional ruler.
“And subject to that approval, you cannot. Happily, I got approval from his own kingdom, his own traditional ruler, that I can proceed and here we are today.
“So I thank you, Jibunoh, for making it easier for me because if you were not in good standing with your traditional ruler, perhaps, this would not have come to fruition.”
Azinge said Jibunoh’s accomplishments and reputation qualified him for the honour, describing his citation as a record of the journey and achievements of an exceptional individual.
“Do you have what it takes to be a chief in Asaba? You do and more than any other thing.
“Your citation has been read, and for me, it’s a chronicle of the journey of a great man and a great man by any standard, globally.”
The Asagba also noted that the honour was significant because chieftaincy titles were rarely conferred on people who were not indigenes of Asaba.
“We don’t often confer titles on non-indigenes. I believe in human history, this may be about the sixth or so.
“And only about two others are still alive,” he said, identifying General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and former Delta State Commissioner of Police, Chief Aduba, among previous non-indigene recipients.
Azinge congratulated Jibunoh and urged him to uphold the responsibilities attached to his new position.
“You’ve taken the oath of allegiance and the oath of office.
“I’ve no doubt whatsoever that you will live up to the tenets, to the values, norms, to the principles so clearly enunciated in the oaths.
“I congratulate you immensely and urge you to stand up to be counted.”
The monarch also thanked Soyinka and the other guests for attending the ceremony, saying their presence demonstrated the national and international goodwill enjoyed by Jibunoh.
Other dignitaries who attended the ceremony included HRM Abiodun Kola-Desi, Chief Ephraim Obor, Dele Atuba, Jahab Anikulapo, Brigadier-General Hamisu (retd.), Mohammed Aliyu Yakubu, Prince Salisu Ado Bayero, Sunny Irabor and Peter Igho.