04/05/2026
Thank you, the Kakua Express Newspaper. You guys are amazing.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122164530146952257&id=61578567731543
Visiting monarch attends Njala cultural event
By Bintu Foday
In a historic fusion of tradition and intellect, Njala University’s Bo Campus played host to His Royal Majesty, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge, OFR, on Tuesday.
The revered Nigerian monarch appeared as guest speaker at a high-profile gathering themed, “Strengthening Cultural Heritage and Academic Partnerships for Sustainable Development.”
The event drew a distinguished assembly of senior university officials, government representatives, traditional rulers, students, and the Asaba Royal Delegation. Proceedings began with a vibrant royal reception, complete with traditional drumming and dance by the Institute of Languages and Cultural Studies (INSLACS).
The atmosphere was further charged by the Royal Cultural Herald, who ushered in the monarch with poetic salutations and ceremonial praise chants celebrating African heritage.
Declaring the occasion a milestone in the university’s history, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Njala Campus and Chairman of the ceremony, Professor Patrick Sawyer, noted that the visit transcended mere pageantry.
“Today is not an ordinary day on our academic calendar.
Today, the throne meets the university. Today, Asaba meets Njala,” he proclaimed while extending formal welcome on behalf of the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and the entire university community.
Professor Sawyer stressed that the convergence of royalty and academia symbolizes a critical juncture between tradition and transformation, asserting that sustainable development in Africa depends on valuing indigenous wisdom alongside scholarly knowledge.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Paramount Chiefs’ representatives and the President of the Njala University Student Union, who hailed the royal visit as a powerful bridge between Sierra Leonean and Nigerian cultural and academic ties.
Delivering the keynote address, Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge offered a rich tapestry of scholarship, leadership, and traditional insight, urging the audience to preserve African cultural identity while forging robust academic alliances for development.
His message was reinforced by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University, Professor Bashiru M. Koroma, and the Chancellor and Chairman of Court, Professor Sahr Moses Gevao, who reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to academic diplomacy, cultural preservation, and regional cooperation.
The ceremony reached its zenith with a grand cultural display by INSLACS, featuring music, dance, storytelling, and performances from Sierra Leone alongside the Njala Nigerian Ogene Group.
The event concluded with the presentation of gifts and cultural artefacts to His Royal Majesty—a symbolic gesture cementing a growing bond between the Kingdom of Asaba and Njala University.