The traditional ruler of Asaba, Delta State, the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi Joseph Chike Edozien, is dead.
Born on July 28, 1925, the Asagba passed away a few months before his 99th birthday anniversary.
As of press time, details about his death were sketchy, but the Presidency issued a statement in which President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences to his family and the people of the state for the painful loss.
The media aide to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, who released the statement on Thursday, said Tinubu celebrates the impactful life of the late monarch and eminent professor of medicine, acknowledging his advocacy for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians and inimitable role in forging partnerships across divides.
“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,” the President said.
While praying for the peaceful repose of the beloved departed, the President urged the Royal Family and all those who mourn this gaping loss to take solace in the legacies of His Royal Majesty.
Professor Edozien began his university education in 1944, after he had secured an admission into the University College of Dublin, Ireland. He successfully completed his BSc degree with honours in Physiology from the National University of Ireland in 1948, with further success on MSc in Physiology in 1950, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Chemotherapy (MBBCh) in 1954. He received several academic awards in the process to justify his satisfactory performance.
The late monarch was a Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina, a Professor of Nutrition at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, and a Professor of Nutrition, of the School of Public Health of the University of North Carolina.