During her visit to the Iyase of Benin, Princess Asha Okojie eloquently expressed a profound sense of connection to her roots, meticulously tracing her family’s history. She recounted the courageous resistance of her grandfather, King Ogbidi Okojie, against British oppression, resulting in his exile to Benin city, Ibadan and Calabar. In addition, she proudly mentioned her cousin, the late Chief Anthony Enahoro, a key figure in Nigeria’s fight for independence in 1960.
With a commitment to following in the footsteps of those who fought for a just and democratic Nigeria, Princess Asha pledged to be a selfless leader, bridging the gap between the people and governance. Her focus was on restoring trust, accountability, transparency, and good governance to address the historical oppression, discrimination, and disenfranchisement faced by the people.
Acknowledging the profound impact of colonization on traditions, values, and nationhood, Princess Asha advocated for a return to cultural renaissance and the adoption of Afrocentric ideologies for economic development. Seeking guidance from the Iyase and other traditional rulers, she outlined a vision that prioritized cooperative economies and self-sufficiency to tackle issues such as wealth disparity and unemployment.
Princess Asha declared her candidacy for the 2024 governorship, vowing to combat hunger, poverty, and illiteracy.
The Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, warmly welcomed her visit with enthusiasm, offering his blessing and a symbolic book, symbolizing a shared commitment to the envisioned positive transformation.
