The Asagba of Asaba, Professor Epiphany Azinge, has called on the federal government to establish a university in Asaba, citing the city’s unique status as the only state capital in Nigeria without a federal tertiary institution.

Leading a delegation from the Asagba Kingdom to Abuja, the traditional ruler met with President Bola Tinubu to express gratitude for the administration’s ongoing infrastructure projects while also presenting key demands for Asaba’s development and historical recognition.

During the meeting, Professor Azinge raised concerns over the absence of a federal university in Asaba, describing it as a significant oversight. “Asaba remains the only state capital without a federal university, and that is worrisome,” he emphasized.

Beyond educational matters, the monarch also addressed the 1967 Asaba massacre, where hundreds of Asaba indigenes were killed during the Nigerian Civil War. He urged the federal government to acknowledge the tragedy and offer an official apology.

“We mentioned to the President the massacre of our people in 1967 and the need for an apology. He assured us that he would find time to visit,” the Asagba revealed.

Despite acknowledging the economic challenges facing the country, the traditional ruler commended President Tinubu’s leadership. “There might be some hiccups here and there, but overall, we score him highly and pray for his success,” he stated.

He further appreciated the federal government’s commitment to infrastructural development, particularly the completion of the access road to the Second Niger Bridge and the extension of gas pipelines through Asaba to Awka.