Ogwa Ukwu Ahaba, Asaba | January 17, 2026
The Asaba Welfare and Endowment Fund Committee has empowered 100 indigenous students and pupils drawn from the five Ebo quarters of Asaba in a landmark “Back to School” initiative aimed at supporting indigent families and strengthening access to education within the kingdom.
The ceremony, held at Ogwa Ukwu Ahaba, was graced by HRM, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, who described the initiative as a deliberate investment in the future of the Asaba people. According to the monarch, the rising cost of education makes communal intervention not only necessary but urgent.
“We cannot shy away from assisting our children,” the Asagba said. “There is an old saying that the young are the future of any community. Should we allow the future of Asaba to flood our streets without education?”
Reflecting on Asaba’s historical identity, the monarch noted that the typical Asaba man has long been associated with early exposure to Western education and intellectual excellence. He stressed that this legacy must be consciously passed on to the younger generation.
The traditional ruler also raised concern about the widening gap between the younger generation and traditional values, emphasizing the need for early cultural orientation. In this regard, he announced the immediate establishment of a committee dedicated to the grooming and mentoring of Asaba children. The committee, to be chaired by Ogbueshi Chiagor Awodu, will focus on teaching Asaba greetings, traditions, history, and cultural heritage.
Commending the Asaba Welfare and Endowment Fund Committee for its consistency and service, the Asagba noted that the ₦5 million disbursed under the initiative—₦50,000 per beneficiary—was carefully targeted at verified Asaba children from the five quarters of the kingdom. He admonished parents and guardians to ensure that the funds are used strictly for educational purposes.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Chief Prof. Anene Okeakwa (Omeogor Ahaba), expressed gratitude to the monarch for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to social development. She explained that funds managed by the committee have consistently been deployed in line with the Asagba’s directives, citing initiatives such as monthly stipends for medical youth corps members serving in Asaba health centres, funding and equipping the Asaba Drug Rehabilitation Centre, and the construction of the Kanebisi statue, among others.
Chief Okeakwa further appreciated the monarch for his concern for indigent families, reaffirming the committee’s resolve to continue serving the community with transparency and dedication.
The high point of the event was the presentation of ₦50,000 cash grants to each of the 100 beneficiaries, who were accompanied by their parents and guardians, marking a significant step toward easing the educational burden on vulnerable families in Asaba.
