By Emma Nnadozie

The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, has commended Chairman of Cubana Group, Obinna Iyiegbu, for raising the scale of private sector investments in the Delta State capital, declaring that such initiatives are fast positioning the city as a major investment destination.

Prof. Azinge gave the commendation when Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, led his team on a courtesy visit to the Asagba Palace, describing the entrepreneur’s expanding footprint in real estate, hospitality and lifestyle infrastructure as a catalyst for Asaba’s economic transformation.
He noted that the calibre and scale of investments being executed by the businessman send a strong signal of confidence in the city’s future and readiness to attract both local and international investors.

“What we are seeing is a deliberate effort to raise the bar of investment in Asaba. These are not just projects; they are statements of confidence in our city and its future. When individuals of this calibre invest at this level, it sends a strong signal that Asaba is ready for greater things,” the monarch said.

The Asagba stressed that such high-impact investments would stimulate economic activities, generate employment and attract further capital inflows, noting that their ripple effects cut across sectors including construction, hospitality, commerce and services.

He reaffirmed the readiness of the Asaba community to support genuine investors, assuring that traditional institutions would continue to provide an enabling environment for business growth.
“We are opening our doors to serious investors. As a community, we are prepared to collaborate and support initiatives that contribute to the development of Asaba. We are not waiting for government alone—there is much we can do collectively to build a thriving economic centre,” he added.

The monarch further disclosed that ongoing engagements with stakeholders in Nigeria’s corporate and financial sectors have continued to boost confidence in Asaba’s economic potential, with increasing interest from players within the capital market ecosystem.
Highlighting the city’s rising profile, he described Asaba’s hospitality sector as one of the fastest-growing in the country, noting that it is becoming increasingly competitive with major urban centres such as Abuja and Lagos.

“At this moment, Asaba’s hospitality industry is second to none. We can confidently compete with Abuja, and in many respects, the only city that stands ahead is Lagos,” he said.
He also pointed to key infrastructure projects shaping the city’s future, including the proposed “Legacy of the Sun” waterfront development, spanning over 351 hectares, as well as Asaba’s strategic proximity to Onitsha within the eastern economic corridor.

Beyond infrastructure, the Asagba disclosed plans to position the city as a technology and innovation hub, citing ongoing engagements with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the presence of institutions such as the Digital Bridge Institute and Admiralty University, Ibusa.

Responding, Iyiegbu expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reiterated his commitment to sustained investments in Asaba through strategic projects aimed at driving long-term economic growth.
He said developments such as Cubana Millennium City and the proposed Cubana Wonderland were designed to deliver not just commercial value but also create opportunities and experiences for residents and investors.
“Our vision is to build more than businesses; we are building a legacy. We believe in the future of Asaba, and we are committed to playing our part in unlocking its full potential,” he said.

Stakeholders said the visit underscores growing collaboration between traditional institutions and private sector players, a development seen as critical to accelerating Asaba’s emergence as one of Nigeria’s most promising economic frontiers.