Akume, Gov  Oborevwori, Gov Obaseki, Other Prominent Nigerians Attend Memorial Mass Held For Asagba of Asaba In Asaba 

President Bola Tinubu’s representative, Chief George Akume, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state and his Edo state counterpart, Mr Godwin Obaseki were among  prominent Nigerians , who attended the memorial mass  held for the 13th Asagba of Asaba, HRM , late Professor Joseph Chike Edozien in Asaba,  the Delta state capital, on Friday. 

A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com  noted that other dignitaries at the event  include; Deputy Governor of the state, Sir Monday Onyeme, two former governors; Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Chief James Ibori, former Deputy Governor, Chief Benjamin Elue, Senator Ned Nwoko, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Chairman of UBA Plc, Mr Tony Elumelu, member of the  House of Representatives, Hon. Ngozi Okolie, former Senator James Manager, former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, NDDC Chairman, Mr Chiedu Ebie, Air Vice Marshal Frank Ajobena, traditional rulers among others. 

Speaking at the memorial service that was  held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church , Asaba, on Friday, President Bola Tinubu, who was  represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief  George Akume, in his condolence message to the people of Asaba kingdom and other Deltans, said Nigeria has lost a man of great significance and one of the foremost traditional rulers in the country. 

In his tribute titled ‘Exit of a man of significance’, President Tinubu described the late Asagba of Asaba as an accomplished traditional ruler and 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 at the University of Ibadan’ he said.

 While condoling with the people of Asaba, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori urged them to emulate the legacies of the late centenarian monarch who he described as a man of peace and an erudite medical scholar. 

He said: ‘On behalf of the government and people of Delta state, 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 monarch and 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 monarch 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 the late Asagba of Asaba epitomized.  May God grant his soul eternal rest’. 

In a homily at the memorial mass, Catholic Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, the Most Reverend Michael Elue described the death of a believer as a transition to eternal life, saying death is inevitable and reminded Christians of the need to live holy at all times so as not to be caught unawares by death. 

He said the 100 years of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Professor Chike Edozien on earth was purposeful and impactful and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest. 

Bishop Elue said the best way to immortalize oneself on earth is through selfless input and impacts in the lives of people like the late monarch has done.

Representative of the Asagba family, Louis Edozien, who thanked guests on behalf of the family, commended the Chiefs of Asaba, the Oshimili South Local Government, Delta state Government and the Federal Government for supporting the late monarch throughout his reign. 

He assured that the family would continue to emulate and protect the legacies epitomized by the late monarch-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you