.Palace confirms passage of Asagba of Asaba at 99
The Palace’s secretary/ Ihonor of Asaba, Patrick Ndili, yesterday officially announced the passing on of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Joseph Chike Edozien.
Chief Ndili announced the passing on of the king after the breaking of the traditional calabash at the palace in the presence of chiefs and children of the Asagba but without the Crown Prince, Joseph Edozien Jnr.
He said the late monarch joined his ancestors four months to his 100 years anniversary. “The 13th Asagba of Asaba ascended the throne on July 1, 1991.”
Earlier, there was procession to the venue led by the Onihe of Asaba and Odogwu of Asaba. This was followed by 21 gunshots.
Joseph Chike Edozien Jnr. was formally introduced as the Regent (Ochendo) by the Onihe of Asaba while Dr. Anthony Onuora Edozien was to act on his behalf.
The news of the monarch’s demise went rife last week, but palace chiefs denied it, saying they would not make any official statement to the effect until after seven days.
Joseph Chike Edozien, CFR, JP was born July 28, 1925 and installed Asagba of Asaba July 1, 1991; and In 2003, ex President Olusegun Obasanjo conferred the national honour of commander on him.
The King of Asaba, a leading icon in the medical profession and the 13th Asaba was born into the family of Nathaniel Okafor Edozien, a direct descendant of Nnebisi the founder of Asaba, and one of the most senior indigenous officials of the Nigerian Coal Corporation in Enugu. His mother, Nwakuso Edozien née Odogwu, was the daughter of a prominent Asaba chief, and a notable trader.
Edozien’s father sent him at an early age to live with an uncle who was a school master in Warri, Delta State then Bendel State, Nigeria.
Thereafter, he attended the Catholic School in Warri from 1933 to 1937. He attended Christ the Kings College, Onitsha for his secondary education from 1938 to 1942. In 1942 he attended the Higher College Yaba and then proceeded to Achimota School, Accra, Ghana.
His university education began with an admission to the University College Dublin, Ireland in 1944. He completed his BSc with honours in Physiology from the National University of Ireland in 1948, MSc in Physiology in 1950, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh) in 1954. He won several academic awards in the process.
Meanwhile, Asaba, the State capital was like a graveyard yesterday as business activities were grounded in honour of the late King. Indeed, Markets, Shops, and Banks were shut against their customers while many people trekked long distances, putting Asaba in somnolent situation.
