National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Delta State Governor to immortalise, the late Asagba of Asaba, Professor Obi Joseph Chike Edozien
This is as it described the late monarch as a purveyor of superior morals who led with openness and sincerity.
Professor Edozien who ascended the throne over 30 years ago, joined his ancestors on Wednesday at age 99.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, in a statement, expressed sadness over his death and enjoined President Bola Tinubu and the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to imortalise the monarch “as a veritable source of inspiration to the younger generations.”
The statement reads, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide mourns an Igbo trail blazer, a reflective intellectual giant, purveyor of superior morals, exemplary royalty, outstanding dogged achiever, harmonizer of diverse interests and a quintessential Igbo, His Majesty, Prof. Obi Joseph Chike Edozien, CFR, the Asagba of Asaba as he passes on at 99.
“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 President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, MFR; OFR; CFR; FNICE; FNSE; FNIST; KSG (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo) is in a deep sorrow over the death of His Majesty at a time his wise counsel is most needed. He lamented the rate at which the Igbo are losing the finest of the brains that make Ndigbo tick. He extolled the unassailable noble character of the late Asagba. The memories of Asagba shall always be remembered as a role model worthy of emulation.
“One of the most amazing of the Asagba mystique is the unique capacity to harmonise the diverse interests and ethnic groups that are resident in Asaba, the Delta State capital; the burgeoning Asaba modernity with the cultural values of the ancient Kingdom; and above all, his hock with the grassroots in spite of his intellectual zenith, nobility and meritorious public service.”
“While we look forward to a befitting burial, Ahaejiagamba urges His Excellency, Sheriff Oborevwori, the governor of Delta State and His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to immortalize His Majesty, Prof. Obi Joseph Chike Edozien, CFR as a veritable source of inspiration to the younger generations. The Igbo leader condoles the immediate family of His Majesty, the government and good people of Delta State for this irreparable loss.”
