By Sanco Ese
It is truly inspiring that over the weekend, our revered monarch, the Orodje of Okpe, was installed as Chancellor and also honored at the Nigeria Military University, Biu, Borno State, with an honorary Ph.D. Among the selected few who accompanied him were Prof. Igbigbi, Prof. Tonukari, and Prof. Sam Asagba – an academic giant and a great son of Okpe Kingdom.
Prof. Sam Asagba is currently a lecturer at Delta State University and is one of the most brilliant, forthright, reliable, honest, courageous, credible, and committed Nigerians. He has served as a Dean, Provost, and the immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka.
Orodje of Okpe Installs Mike Affe as the Unu-Okpe, the Traditional Prime Minister of Okpe Kingdom
I am honored and delighted to share a few words about this great and profoundly good man who is not only one of the founding fathers of the Osu Governorship movement but also one of those who has stood firmly on his principles, displayed great fidelity, and commitment to the OSU cause. He has shown the world that the people of Okpe/Sapele/Uwvie federal constituency have men and women of courage who are consistent, true to their word, and committed to the principles of fairness and equity.
Unlike other Okpe academicians, throughout the period of the struggle for an Osu Governor, one thing that set him apart was that he never sat on the fence nor showed any form of inconsistency. At the time he joined the campaign for an OSU Governor, not many people could do so. He spoke out even when it was unfashionable and dangerous to do so.
I will never forget how he touched our souls, stirred our spirits, moved our hearts, and provided strength, even when he didn’t know that I was looking up to him.
Today, everybody, both the good, the bad, and the ugly, is singing the same tune that he has been singing for the last four years with a dangerous, misleading, and false sense of entitlement to a cause they betrayed and never believed in right from the onset.
I am so proud that Okpe is blessed with such leaders and elders. With them, there is hope, and as long as the next generation can imbue their spirit of fortitude, courage, faith, honor, and strength, nothing will overcome us, nothing will destroy us, and nothing will overwhelm us.
As the only Okpe man who has ever attained the position of a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Delta State University, Abraka, I wish him more significant opportunities in the service of our people.
If I were ever to use the great Mark Anthony’s words when he saw Julius Caesar’s bleeding and dying body after he was cut short by Brutus and the other Roman traitors, this is the time that it is appropriate to do so. For I can say of Prof. Sam Asagba, as Mark Anthony said of Caesar, “here lies a Caesar, after whom comes no other.”
May I end this brief epistle by saying, I am persuaded that posterity will be kind to Prof. Sam Asagba, and history will never forget his timeless contributions to the socio-economic and political development of the Okpe nation. He will always be a reference point for all that is wholesome and good.
May God bless him, guard him, guide him, and protect him from enemies within and without.
I pray that God grants Prof. Sam Asagba the opportunity to serve Delta State in a higher challenge very soon.
My name is Sanco Ese, I am God’s Pen of Intervention.
