*Tinubu, Oborevwori Mourn
BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
MAJOR commercial activities were grounded on Tuesday, February 13 in Asaba, the Delta State capital, with markets and shops and even banks were shut, and inner roads deserted as the ceremonial announcement and rites of passage of the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien, commenced.
On Monday evening, there was apprehension and uncertainty, as most schools scrambled for information regarding whether to shut or remain open the following, with no clear information from either the local and state governments or the traditional council.
But by late evening, most school sent out messages to their students or parents informing them that schools would be closed, at least for the safety of the students. Some schools had earlier when news of the Asagba’s health broke, advised their students not to keep late nights.
Even vehicular, and indeed pedestrian movements were restricted, as most residents stayed indoors and withing their neighbourhood to keep safe, with parents keeping watch over their children, while many of those who ventured out trekked long distances in the hot weather.
Those who dared to open shops had a bitter tale, as community and ‘area’ boys went about enforcing the directive to close shops for the day in honour of the late monarch.
Thus, Asaba was like a ghost town, reminiscent of Onitsha and indeed, the Southeast during sit-at-home on Mondays, as business activities were grounded for the whole day in honour of the departed first-class, erudite monarch.
The Palace Secretary and lhonor of Asaba, Chief Patrick Ndili, formally announced the home call of the Asagba
after the breaking of the traditional calabash at the palace in the presence of palace chiefs and children of the deceased, except the Crown Prince, Joseph Edozien Jnr.
Ndili, while disclosing that the Asagba joined his ancestors four months to his 100 years anniversary, added: “With heavy hearts, we announce the transition unto eternal glory of our highly revered father, Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba Kingdom.
“He was aged 100 years and the 13th Asagba of Asaba, who ascended the throne on July 1, 1991.
According to a statement signed by Anthony Edozien, on behalf of the family; Ndili and Chief Patrick Onyeobi, Iyase of Asaba, for Asaba Kingdom, the late monarch’s second son, Anthony Edozien, would, as the regent, oversee the affairs of the kingdom until the first son, Joseph Edozien Jnr, comes back from abroad and another monarch is installed.
Ndili stressed that a new monarch has not been installed, but that the regent would be there to perform the roles expected of a monarch.
He stated: “In all parts of the country, when a monarch passes on, only the community has the right to confirm; nobody should have the audacity to confirm it.
“Some even published that he has passed on when he was still ill. It is an abomination. Those who did that need to cleanse themselves and if it happens again, they will be sanctioned.
“The burial arrangement will be announced by the family.”
Earlier, there was procession to the venue, led by the Onihe of Asaba and Odogwu of Asaba, followed by 21 cannon shots.
Joseph Chike Edozien Jnr was formally introduced as the Regent (Ochendo) by the Onihe, while Dr. Anthony Onuora Edozien is to act on his behalf in the interim.
Rumours of the Asagba’s passage went viral last Wednesday evening, but the palace chiefs denied it, insisting the monarch was hospitalised and the palace would not make any formal statement on his state of health until after seven days, as is the custom.
The chiefs and residents of the capital city have described the death of the Asagba as a great loss to Asaba, the state and Nigeria, with President Bola Tinubu describing the late Asagba as a bridge-builder, expressing sadness over his passing.
Tinubu, in a statement on Tuesday, February 13, by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, condoled with the family, Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council, the government and the people of the state on the loss.
The President recalled the impactful life of the late monarch and acknowledged his advocacy for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians and inimitable role in forging partnerships across divides, adding: “His Majesty lived a full life defined by the loftiest ideals of peace, unity, patriotism, honesty, and dignity. This is a sad loss, coming at a time when Nigeria needs more peace-builders and bridge-builders.”
While praying for the peaceful repose of the departed, Tinubu urged the royal family and all those who mourn the loss to take solace in the legacies of the deceased.
On his part, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori expressing sadness over the passing of the distinguished medical scholar and first Black-African indigenous Dean of Medicine in a foreign land few months to his centenary birth anniversary.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Festus Ahon, stated that the revered monarch, throughout his 33-year reign, provided purposeful leadership for his people and residents of Asaba, adding that Asaba witnessed a quantum leap in urbanisation during Edozien’s rule, with respect to population, infrastructure and socio-political developments.
Oborevwori stated that Edozien made significant contributions over the years to making Asaba welcoming and pleasant for all Nigerians, describing him as a “scholar per excellence, bridge-builder and elder statesman.”
He prayed that God would rest the soul of the departed monarch and grant the royal family and the people of Asaba the strength to bear the loss.
The late Asagba was born July 28, 1925, into the family of Nathaniel Okafor Edozien, a direct descendant of Nnebisi, the founder of modern day Asaba, who was one of the most senior indigenous officials of the Nigerian Coal Corporation in Enugu, and Nwakuso Edozien, née Odogwu, daughter of a prominent Asaba chief and a notable trader.
His father sent him at an early age to live with an uncle, who was a school master in Warri, then Bendel State. While there, he attended Catholic School, Warri from 1933 to 1937 and later, the prestigious Christ the Kings College (CKC), Onitsha, Anambra State, for his secondary education from 1938 to 1942 and 1942 he attended the Higher College, Yaba in Lagos before proceeding to Achimota School, Accra, Ghana.
He had his university education at the University College Dublin, Ireland in 1944, graduating with BSc (Honours) in Physiology from the National University of Ireland in 1948, MSc in Physiology in 1950, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1954. In the course of his studies, Edozien won several academic awards.
He was installed as the 13th Asagba of Asaba on July 1, 1991.
