Legal luminary and Isama Ajie Ahaba, Chief Chuck Chukwuemeka Nduka-Eze, has proposed the establishment of a privately sponsored museum in memory of the victims of the 1967 Asaba Massacre during the Nigerian Civil War. He described the museum as a fitting monument to preserve the painful history and promote cultural remembrance.
Nduka-Eze made the proposal over the weekend while reaffirming his oath of allegiance to the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, the Asagba-in-Council, and the people of Asaba. He also reiterated his commitment to the progress and development of the Asaba kingdom.
Appealing for a space within the ongoing permanent palace grounds for the museum, he said the project would serve both as a cultural heritage site and a memorial to over 1,000 Asaba men who were tragically killed by federal troops in the early stages of the civil war. He stressed the importance of reminding Nigeria and the world of the injustices committed, emphasizing that such acts of ethnic intolerance must never be repeated.
During the ceremony, Nduka-Eze praised Asagba Azinge as a global legal icon and a respected traditional ruler, commending his leadership and influence. He described the oath reaffirmation as a “two-way vote of confidence” and noted his longstanding personal and professional relationship with the monarch, which predates the latter’s ascension to the throne.
He also made donations to the Asagba Palace Permanent Building Project and the Palace Maintenance Fund, acknowledging the weight of responsibility the throne carries. He called on all Asaba sons and daughters, especially titled individuals and community stakeholders, to unite in support of the monarch’s vision and leadership.
In response, Asagba Azinge commended Nduka-Eze for his unwavering loyalty and consistent support, noting that the reaffirmation of allegiance was symbolic, as the Isama Ajie had always shown deep commitment to the Asaba throne. The monarch lauded his contributions as the Chairman of the Kingdom’s Image Branding Committee, describing him as a cultural ambassador who has championed Asaba’s global rebranding.
Asagba Azinge further praised the calibre of guests Nduka-Eze drew to the palace for the occasion, including a significant number of titled men and women, saying it reflected the high regard in which he is held. He added that such events would continue to boost national and international recognition of Asaba’s rich cultural legacy.
The monarch also expressed appreciation for Nduka-Eze’s philanthropy and urged other indigenes to emulate his generosity. He acknowledged the ongoing challenges with unpaid statutory funds from government sources but assured that the palace remained committed to its duties and would not relent in driving forward the kingdom’s cultural and developmental agenda.
Finally, Asagba Azinge encouraged Chief Nduka-Eze to continue playing an active role in promoting peace and justice in his immediate community, aligning with the administration’s broader objective of sustaining harmony across the Asaba kingdom.
The highlight of the visit was the formal reaffirmation of Chief Nduka-Eze’s oath of allegiance to the 14th Asagba of Asaba, further strengthening the traditional ties between the palace and one of its most distinguished sons.
