The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has celebrated His Majesty,  Professor Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba as he clocks  99 on  July 28, describing him as an achiever and harmoniser of diverse interests.

The group also said that the royal father’s profile would remain a veritable source of inspiration to the generations yet unborn.

Dr Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, stated this in a statement on Thursday in Enugu.

According to Ogbonnia, Ohaneze joins numerous admirers all over the world to felicitate a reflective intellectual giant, purveyor of superior morals, exemplary royalty, outstanding dogged achiever and a quintessential Igbo, His Majesty Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba as he clocks 99 on Friday, July 28.

He said Edozien was a man who at a very young age of 37, rose to the enviable rank of a university professor and Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ibadan and subsequently the Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos.

Ogbonnia equally said Edozien was a  Foundation scholar, University of Benin; Professor of Nutrition, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (MIT), Cambridge, Head, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health and a Professor Emeritus, University of North Carolina, USA, among others.

“What has become the most amazing quality of the Asagba mystique is his unique capacity to harmonise the diverse ethnic groups that are resident in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

“His ability to reconcile the burgeoning Asaba modernity with the rich cultural values of the ancient Kingdom and above all, his hock with the grassroots despite his lofty intellectual acumen, nobility and a meritorious career in public service.

“All the above sublime attributes have found expressions in the peaceful investment-ambience of Asaba since he ascended the throne of his forefathers over 30 years ago,” Ogbonnia said.

The national publicity secretary added his reign had catalyzed the transformation of Asaba into a vibrant social and investment hub in the South South of Nigeria.

“The Asagba has led Asaba people with unassailable exemplariness, courage, moral rectitude and tenacity and in spite of all the splendours of aristocracy and the magnificence of monarchy at his disposal, the Asagba carries himself with the profoundest of openness and sincerity.

“The most ennobling of the Asagba persona is located in his strength of character and unwavering commitment to his modest, inordinate and ethical convictions,” he said.

He added that the  President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief  Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, could not withhold his joy and gratitude to God as the Asagba gets ready to ascend the tenth floor.

Ogbonnia said  Iwuanyanwu looked forward to a national grand celebration of the Asagba Centenary Birthday in 2024.

“So, on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and indeed all the sons and daughters of Igboland, we thank God for his eventful life thus far, we beseech the Almighty God to grant the Asagba of Asaba a longer life in sound mind and stable physique,” he prayed. (NAN)