Obi Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba on Thursday, restated the need for the establishment of a federal university in Asaba, as part of measures to compensate for the October 7, 1967 genocide that took place in Asaba town.
Edozien, a professor, said the request was a modest one compared to both the emotional and psychological impacts of the massacre in which thousands of Asaba men were mowed down by federal troops during the civil war.
The monarch renewed the calls when Vice President Yemi Osibanjo paid him a courtesy visit in his Asaba palace, to seek for prayers ahead his 2023 presidential ambition.
He recalled how he spoke with Yakubu Gowon, the retired army general and former head of state, on the need to establish a federal university as far back as 1995.
He recalled that Gowon who was then in power when the genocide was committed, apologized and promised to support the agitation for the university.
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He however lamented that nothing has been done since.
VP Osinbajo told the monarch that he was in the state to intimate the royal father of his intention to take over the helm of affairs of the country come 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said, “I have taken the decision with all sense of responsibility having served as Vice President and occasionally as Acting President and my experiences over in the past seven years while serving as Acting President has equipped me with the needed experience to tackle existing problems in the country.”
He thus sought the monarch’s prayer and support to ensure the realization of his political aspiration.
Osinbajo later went to meet with APC delegates.
BusinessDay gathered that the presidential aspirant was first received at the Asaba International Airport, by Patrick Ukah, the secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG).
