Reported by Chukwura Ogechukwu Charles, Palace Media Assistant.
Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, has expressed his desire to position Asaba to be at the forefront of national conversations, even as he noted that the time was apt to initiate dialogue on the state of our democracy as the nation gradually moves into the electioneering period, with campaigns set to begin in August.
The Asagba made this declaration when he received Chief Pharm. Paul Enebeli and the delegation of BEL Media Consult at the Royal Palace, on behalf of Asaba Kingdom, who had come to brief the highly respected Monarch on the BEL DIALOGUE 2026, scheduled for same day, Thursday, July 30, 2026 in Asaba.
Nna Agu commended the team for their kind sentiments and gestures toward the Palace and the Kingdom. He prayed for a successful outing of the BEL Dialogue event in Asaba.
“I have listened attentively to all the presentations by Pharm. Enebeli on what BEL Media Consult is here to do. It is time we start decentralizing governance, as earlier posited by the Chairman, BEL Media Consult. I am happy that the BEL Dialogue is taking place in Asaba. It is an honor and a welcome development because we want Asaba to be at the forefront of national conversations,” Nna Agu affirmed.
The revered monarch expressed interest in the objectives of BEL Dialogue, particularly its focus on a democracy that works and holding elected officials accountable. He noted that the timing is apt as the nation gradually moves into the electioneering period, with campaigns set to begin in August.
“This is the best time to sensitize our people,”Asagba Azinge stated. We look forward to the communique and recommendations that will flow from the dialogue. Voting is very fundamental in our democratic system.
He urged Pharm. Enebeli and his team to ensure the dialogue holds and that sensitization on the dividends of democracy kicks off before the end of August 2026.
According to HRM Asagba Azinge, “Truly, we need a democracy that works. We are not here to condemn anybody before, now, or after but it is the yearning of every Nigerian to have a democracy that works better than it is now.”
He added that in Asaba, the Palace is complementing government efforts through community-driven initiatives in welfare, healthcare, and environmental sanitation.
I have changed the narratives from traditional rulership to traditional governance by involving myself in all that concerns my people, HRM said.
The monarch further observed that Nigeria is blessed with natural resources to drive national progress, but that bad governance has kept the country behind. He prayed for the success of the dialogue and for safe travels for the delegation after the event.
Earlier, Chief Pharm. Paul Enebeli, Board Advisory Chairman of BEL Media Consult, apologized for the delay in the courtesy visit and explained the reasons. He commended Asagba Azinge’s transformational strides since ascending the throne of his ancestors.
Pharm. Enebeli briefed Nna Agu on the aims and objectives of Bel Media Consults, which centered on making democracy work in Nigeria. He sought the royal blessings of HRM and extended warm regards to Agu Nwanyi, HRM Dr. Valerie Azinge, SAN, OFR.
Pharm. Enebeli was accompanied in the delegation of the BEL Media Dialogue team by Barr. Mike Igini, former INEC Commissioner and REC, as well as Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, Convener of BEL Dialogue Public engagement forum, amongst others.
