(R-L) Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume and Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta
Asagba
President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and his Edo counterpart, Mr Godwin Obaseki were among guests who graced the Mass celebrated for late 13th Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien, in Asaba.
The memorial service was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Asaba.
President Tinubu in his condolence message to the people of Asaba kingdom and Delta , said Nigeria had lost a man of great significance and one of the foremost traditional rulers in the country.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, Tinubu in his tribute titled:”Exit of a Man of Significance”, described the late Asagba as an accomplished traditional ruler.
Tinubu also described the late Asagba as an elder statesman who served the Asaba kingdom with great purpose and distinguished himself in the field of medicine.
“As an academic icon, he was Nigeria’s oldest professor of Medicine and first indigenous Dean of Medicine in the University of Ibadan, ” he said.
On his part, Oborevwori while condoling with the people of Asaba, urged them to emulate legacies of the late centenarian whom he described as a man of peace and an erudite medical scholar.
He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta , I once again condole with the family of the Asagba of Asaba, the Asagba in Council and the people of Asaba on the demise of our highly respected father.
“The late Asagba was a peaceful man who led the people with love and brought peace to the kingdom. The few times I interacted with him, he was a great man who did very well for his people.
“Our respected Asagba did very well in his 34-year reign and I encourage all of us to embrace the legacies of love, sacrifice, service and tolerance which he epitomised. May God grant his soul eternal rest.”
In his sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, the Most Reverend Michael Elue described the death of a believer as a transition to eternal life.
Elue said that death was inevitable and reminded Christians of the need to live holy at all times so as not to be caught unawares by death.
He said that the 100 years of the Asagba on earth was purposeful and impactful and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
Elue said the best way to immortalize oneself on earth was through selfless input on the lives of people just as the late traditional ruler did.
Representative of the Asagba family, Louis Edozien thanked the guests on behalf of the family.
He commended the Chiefs of Asaba, the Oshimili South Local Government Council, Delta government and the Federal Government for supporting the late Asagba throughout his reign.
He assured that the family would continue to emulate and protect the legacies epitomised by the late Asagba.
Other guests present at the ceremony are ; Deputy Gov. of the state, Monday Onyeme, former governors, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, and Chief James Ibori among others.
