Following the passage of the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi (Prof) Joseph Chike Edozien, the Asaba traditional council has appointed the first son of the departed monarch, Prince Joseph Edozien Jr. as regent.
With the passage of the traditional ruler, the regent will oversee the activities of the palace and kingdom as it plans for the funeral rites of the departed monarch.
Obi Edozien, a renowned scholar and 13th Asagba of Asaba, joined his ancestors last week at the age of 99, few months to his 100th birthday.
But announcing the passage of the revered monarch on Tuesday in Asaba in the presence of the royal family, chiefs and indigenes of Asaba Kingdom, the Onihe of Asaba, Obi Ubaka Attor, said the royal father died at 100.
Traditional chiefs prior to the official announcement of Obi Edozien demise had held procession around the palace drawing the attention of indigenes and residents that “an iroko has fallen” in the ancient city.
The procession led by the Odogwu of Asaba, Chief Nwanze Odua with other top palace chiefs dressed in red attires.
Obi Attor told the waiting crowd that, “Iroko has fallen. The Asagba of Asaba has gone”.
However, a palace statement read by the Palace Secretary, Chief Patrick Ndili , red, “With heavy hearts, we announce the transition unto eternal glory our highly revered Royal father, Asagba, Prof. Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba
“He was aged 100 years and the 13th Asagba of Asaba who ascended the throne as the Asagba of Asaba on July 1, 1991”
The announcement was followed with the shooting of 21 cannon.
Attor further announced the decoration Prince Edozien Jr as the regent, while he disclosed that the burial arrangements will be announced by the royal family and Asaba kingdom in due time.
