It was a day of nostalgia as immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa went down memory lane to recount how the late Asagba of Asaba,Obi Professor Chike Edozien led struggle for his emergence as governor, first from Anioma (Delta North) extraction.
Dr. Okowa who spoke at a reception organized by Asaba people in honour of the departed Asagba, at the Dome Event centre, Asaba, said the king led a delegation of Anioma monarchs to former President Goodluck Jonathan insisting that Delta North must produce the governor of the state in 2015.
He said Asagba was unrelenting in his demand for equity in multi ethnic Delta, holding strategic consultations until the actualization of the clamour for Anioma -born governor.
According to Okowa: “The late Asagba, His Royal Majesty ,Obi Professor Chike Edozien, championed the advocacy that made an Anioma son to become Delta governor.
“Even at 90, he stood strong leading a delegation of Anioma monarchs to Abuja.He demanded firmly that it was necessary for Delta North to have the governorship seat.
To the glory of God that became possible when I was elected governor in 2015, fulfilling a historic mandate.That gave the people of Anioma a sense of belonging, strengthening peace and unity in Delta.
“Asagba contributed so much to peaceful co-existence among Deltans and the development of Asaba.
“In recognition of Asagba’s great efforts in the growth of the state, my adminstration deemed it benefiting to name the Delta secretariat edifice after him.
“He would be remembered as a noble king and respected academic.” Okowa stated.
Corroborating Okowa’s claim,former governor Chief James Onanefe Ibori said the late Asagba sent a delegation to see him in London, on the compelling need for Anioma to govern Delta in 2015.
“While I was away, Asagba of Asaba sent three persons to meet me over Anioma quest for governor .
“He was clear in his demand that an Anioma must produce the next governor to succeed Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.
“He was a man of courage who was apolitical and brutally frank. As governor, I recalled a day the late Asagba met me in the office.The then Head of service, an Urhobo man, was retiring. Asagba inquired that he heard I was about to appoint another Urhobo as head of service and I answered in the affirmative.He told me that was wrong.
“He was an intellectual monarch with great love for the peace and progress of Delta”Ibori said.
The reception was attended by several dignitaries including former governor of Anambra state and presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 presidential elections.
