Politics
THE Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), has promised to provide quality leadership that will promote and protect the interest of the town and its people.
Azinge, who is the 14th Asagba of Asaba, said this at a parley with newsmen in his palace as part of the activities lined up to mark the New Year.
He also said that there was need for his subjects to believe in his leadership.
”I’m prepared to work the journey with them.
“I am prepared to make sure that I promote and protect their interest to the best of my ability.
”I will make sure that we attract infrastructure development to Asaba and that the welfare of our people are well taken care of.
”I will give them the leadership they deserve and I will be transparent in all that I do and there would be accountability for all our funds,” the royal father said.
He promised to ensure that his people get their rightful place in the scheme of things in Delta.
He commended the people for their support since his ascension to the throne on Oct. 5, 2024.
He said that he was able to hit the ground running, with the interest of his people receiving priority consideration.
He congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians on their “triumphal entry into the New Year” and emphasised the need for better life for the people.
”My message to the president is to work towards better life for our people.
”I wish better life for our people in many ways.
“We don’t want hardship of any kind in our system. We must cushion some of these things.
”We want a buoyant and prosperous economy and certainly we want better education for our children,” he said.
He further charged the president to put measures in place to guarantee better medical care for Nigerians.
”And we must be able to address some of our issues internally and give hope to our young generation to believe in Nigeria.
“This will help to check the ‘japa’ syndrome and make our people believe that they can stay in Nigeria, make a living and build their career.
”If we are able to do that, I believe that Nigeria would be on the path of return to its past glories,” he said.
He further spoke on the controversial Tax Reform Bill, saying that the challenge against the nation’s tax system bordered on payment and how the funds are utilized.
“If I am comfortable that my tax remittances are going to be judiciously utilised, I am better motivated to pay tax.
”But if it is for me to pay tax and the money is being misappropriated by public officials, then the motivation would not be there.
”The likelihood is that I would want to circumvent the system and not pay tax.
”For us to have a meaningful tax reform, we must show by example that we are now prepared to judiciously use the tax payers’ money.
”There must also be in place public accountability before tax reform can take place in Nigeria,” Azinge said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five-day-long celebration would end with a thanksgiving service on Sunday. (NAN)
3rd January, 2025.
C.E.
Tags: The Asagba of Asaba
