By NORBERT CHIAZOR
I saw a man. A tall imposing figure from a distance. His stride subtle with gentle panache.
Walking closer in minutes on a paved busy lawn, his presence drew intense gaze. His looks natty and athletic with elegant elan.
He was bedecked in a dark-fitted double-breasted suit, a tailored masterpiece. A sleek red tie, perched on a crisp white shirt, pampering his buff biceps, with commanding sophistication.
Sauntering with entrancing attraction before a motley crowd, he might have turned heads, but my mind wandered far – Kevin Costner, the cool guy in ”The Untouchables“ (1987) – latter-day “The Bodyguard” (1992).
That was my first and earliest impression of Professor Epiphany Azinge, one fateful day at the University of Benin sometime in 1990.
He was then a law teacher. But here is another epiphany to his charm. He was one of the first lecturers in UNIBEN to drive Mercedes Benz 190 E, the rave of that era, comparable to today’s brand-new Prado Jeep. Not a few UNIBEN students stood beside Azinge’s gleaming Benz to check their faces and composure before rushing to class.
More profound is the beauty of his brain. Scholarly in learning, sound in eloquence, Professor Azinge is one of Africa’s most bookish intellectuals.
He once served as President of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal, London, the first ever African to occupy this position.
With a PhD in law, Professor Azinge, former Director General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies is an alumnus of the London School of Economics, one of the best universities in the world, having produced 55 past or present heads of state and over 50 Nobel laureates.
Greatness is from the pantheon of the gods! See why Professor Azinge, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) emerged in 2024 as the 14th Asagba of Asaba.
Delta Governor, Rt.Hon.Sheriff Oborevwori is optimistic that “with the antecedents of Obi Prof.Azinge as a brilliant lawyer and academic of great repute, he will bring his wealth of experience on the Asaba Kingdom’s cultural heritage” And Delta too.
His coronation is coming…
May the Okilolo of Asaba, the great thinker of the world, who became Asagba teach us enduring greatness.
• Chiazor, former Delta chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists writes from Asaba.
