By Adadareporters
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Friday, said Ndigbo had lost a rare gem in the late Asagba of Asaba, His Majesty, Prof Obi Joseph Chike Edozien.
Ohanaeze stated this in a release signed by its national publicity secretary, Alex Ogbonnia, PhD.
Ohanaeze said, “The Asagba led the Asaba people with unassailable exemplariness, courage, moral rectitude and tenacity. In spite of all the splendours of aristocracy and the magnificence of monarchy at his disposal, the Asagba carried himself with the profoundest of openness and sincerity. The most ennobling of the Asagba persona is located in his strength of character and unwavering commitment to his modest, inordinate and ethical convictions.
“The deceased was a rare gem who displayed accomplishments both in his chosen fields of endeavour and also in the cultural and traditional duties imposed on him by the circumstances of his birth. In him was an exceptional blend of the finest Igbo tradition and modernism.”
The president general of Ohanaeze, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, was quoted in the release to have said, “Ndigbo are losing the finest of the brains that make Ndigbo tick. The memories of Asagba shall always be remembered as a role model worthy of emulation. One of the most amazing of the Asagba mystiques is the unique capacity to harmonise the diverse interests and ethnic groups that are resident in Asaba, and his hock with the grassroots in spite of his intellectual zenith, nobility and meritorious public service.”
Ohanaeze, in the release, urged the Governor of Delta State, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immortalize the late Asagba of Asaba, Prof Obi Joseph Chike Edozien.
The late monarch, who died at 99, ascended the throne about 30 years ago. Born on July 28, 1925, he became a professor of medicine at 37. He rose to the rank of a dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and subsequently the chairman, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos.
Asagba was a member, Presidential Advisory Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, before his death.
