The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, described the Monarch, Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien as a Scholar par excellence, Bridge-builder, and Elder statesman.
Oborevwori mentioned that over the 33-years of the Monarchs reign on the throne, he ensured the Indigenes and residents of Asaba, experienced a great impacts of his purposeful leadership.
The Governor acknowledged that Prof. Edozien made significant advancements over the years to making Asaba pleasant and accommodating for all Nigerians.
Oberevwori prayed for the soul of the departed Monarch that God Almighty grants him eternal rest in his bosom and also grant the royal family the fortitude to bare this great loss.
Also, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, has commiserated with the people of Asaba, Deltans and traditional rulers over the departure of the Monarch to the greater beyond.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Nkem Nwaeke, Guwor described the demise of the Monarch as a great loss particularly to the people of Asaba. He noted that the Professor of Medicine ascended the Throne of his ancestors in 1991, and until his passing was an astute traditional ruler who brought people together and had an unmatched record of success.
He said “while death is a necessary end for all mortals, the passage of His Royal Majesty, The Asagba of Asaba, would be highly felt because of his wise counsel anyway, anytime you were opportuned to be in his presence. He was a great man, intelligent, charismatic, and an epitome of knowledge & wisdom. He lived a fulfilled life worthy of note and celebrating. We’re consoled by the fact that the Monarch saw it all, having lived for 100years and left indelible footprints of positive legacies”.
“It is my sincere wish and prayers that God in his infinite mercy will grant him eternal rest”, Guwor stated.
Additionally, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, a former Delta State deputy governor, has expressed his profound grief over the loss of Prof. Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba. Otuaro said, “the death of the traditional leader was a significant loss not just to the people of Asaba but also to the nation as a whole. Reflecting upon the time spent with Prof. Edozien during his term as Deputy Governor, Otuaro said: As a past Deputy Governor of Delta State, I encountered him on various occasions, and I can state with confidence that those moments I spent with him count among the best of my time in office.”
As he offers his condolences to the Asaba people and the royal family who have lost a loved one, Otuaro asks God to give them the strength to get through this trying time. “The loss of his presence is indeed a heavy one for the Asaba kingdom and the entire nation.I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the royal lineage and all inhabitants of Asaba during this sorrowful time, praying that the Almighty grants them the resilience to withstand this loss. May he rest in eternal peace as we continue to honor his exemplary legacy,” he added.
Meanwhile, other prominent Nigerians also joined in mourning the late Monarch. Former Presidential Aspirant and flagbearer of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi also wrote on his X handle, formerly known as Twitter “Now that the Royal Palace of Asaba Kingdom, after the traditional rites, officially announced the passing on to glory of their revered traditional ruler, the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Joseph Chike Edozien, I wish to sincerely extend my heartfelt condolences to the entire Edozien family of Asaba, and the good people of Asaba, the government and people of Delta State and indeed, our dear nation Nigeria, over the passing of this great traditional ruler. His Royal Highness was a thoroughbred professional who always desired a better Nigeria. His love for education was not only reflective of his passionate zeal for higher academic pursuits but in his desire for the growth of education in the larger society. As a deeply patriotic Nigerian, he always supported good causes for the good of the nation and always spoke, courageously, for accountable leadership. He was a lover of unity who promoted a more united Nigeria. He remained in the vanguard of promoting good governance in the nation. His fatherly leadership style in the Asaba kingdom greatly contributed to the sustenance of peace and unity in the kingdom and beyond. He lived a good life and left behind lasting legacies for the nation. I pray God to grant his soul eternal rest and grant his beloved family, the entire Asaba Kingdom, the government and people of Delta State, and indeed all of us who mourn him, the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss”.
May the soul of the faithful departed continue to find rest in the Kingdom of God!
