The burial rites of the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien, will commence on May 27 with a homage to the Asagba, a joint statement by the family of the deceased king and the palace stated yesterday.
Edozien, the statement said, was an icon in the academia, the medical profession in Nigeria, and in traditional affairs.
“Burial rites in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria will commence with homage to Asagba from 27–28 May 2024, an event of songs and tributes on May 30, a memorial mass and reception on May 31, 2024 and traditional burial ceremonies on June 1, 2024 ” the joint statement said.
According to the release, Edozien was the longest surviving professor in Nigeria, being the 4th professor in Nigeria on his appointment as professor of medicine in 1961.
He was the first indigenous Dean of the faculty of medicine of the University College, Ibadan (now University of Ibadan) and contributed to the elevation of Physiotherapy and Laboratory Science as degree courses in Nigeria, it added.
The late Asagba served as Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta for 13 years and, until he joined his ancestors was the Chancellor of the Federal University, Gashua in Yobe State.
He was also the chairman of the Committee under the late Maj. Gen. David Ejoor, Military Governor of the Midwestern Region, that planned the establishment of the University of Benin.
According to the release, Edozien was a former chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Yaba (1990-1991) amd served on a number of key institutions in the medical field for Nigeria, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and others.
“His reputation as an academic and scientist was also international, having been a lecturer at the University of London, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Chairman, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.
“Asagba was an example that modernity, democratic governance, western education and traditional values can co-exist for development and the good of the people of Nigeria,” it added.
The late Asagba, the statement said, is survived by his wife of 70 years Agu Nwanyi, Clara Modupe Edozien; five children (Joseph Jr, Anthony, Valerie, Louis and Ngozi), numerous grandchildren, siblings, nephews and nieces.
Those who wish to send condolence letters, messages or tributes, it said, should do so through info@asagbaofasaba.com or online at www.asagbaofasaba.com, it stressed .
Edozien recently died at the ripe age of 100 years and was the 13th Asagba of Asaba who ascended the throne of his forefathers as the Asagba of Asaba on July 1, 1991.
Edozien’s impact, the statement said, went well beyond academia and medicine as he served his community and the country in various capacities.
“ In 1990 Edozien was appointed the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. Shortly thereafter he was selected to become the 13th Asagba of Asaba. He therefore retired as a Professor Emeritus of the University of North Carolina and returned to Nigeria in 1991 to serve his community and country.
“Edozien’s tenure as the Asagba of Asaba coincided with dramatic changes in the character of the town which is now a significant capital city. When the government of President Ibrahim Babangida created Delta State out of the old Bendel State, Asaba was chosen as the capital city.
“ Its new status as the seat of the state government has brought much of the chaotic development associated with contemporary Nigerian urbanisation. The population of the town has grown and the influx of non-Asaba indigenes has strained the traditional institutions of the town,” it said.
Additionally, it said Edozien was known to be a significant advocate of women and their rights and their positive impact in commerce, governance, and many professions.
