… Condoles Ojougboh, Dunkwu’s families
 
From Paul Osuyi, Asaba 
The late Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien has been described as an outstanding personality who distinguished himself in the medical profession and academia before his ascension to the traditional throne.
Chairman of the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, who stated this in Asaba during a condolence visit, vowed to honour the principles and virtues espoused by the late the monarch in advancing the development of the Anioma nation.
Ebie paid similar visits to the families of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh in Agbor who passed on recently as well as the home of Obi Martha Dunkwu, Omu Anioma and icon of Anioma culture at Okpanam.
The former Secretary to Delta State Government said Obi Edozien’s ascension to he throne coincided with the creation of Delta State in 1991, adding that he was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the development of the town into a city and the peaceful coexistence of all residents of the state capital.
“We are grateful to God for having him crowned as the Asagba of Asaba at that time and greatly helping in the development of Asaba and also ensuring peace in the state capital.
“One of the things that the commission keeps preaching at this critical time is the need for all of us to co-exist and work harmoniously so that the nine states that make up the NDDC can benefit in terms of infrastructural development and also human capital development.
“As an indigene of Delta and an Anioma son, we will work hard, give our best shot to ensure that the Anioma people and the people of Delta State benefit from our tenure as members of the board of the commission,” Ebie said.
Speaking at the palace of the Ugoani of Okpanam Dr.Michael Mbanefo Ugbolu and the Ugoani-in-Council on the condolence visit over the death of the Omu of Okpanam and Omu Anioma, late Obi Martha Dunkwu, Ebie assured the people of Niger Delta of even distribution of impactful projects in the region as the new management and board of the commission pilot the affairs of the interventionist agency.
The Chairman of NDDC said the death of the Omu was shocking, describing her as a strong voice, community leader, human rights activist, reformer and a custodian of culture of the Anioma people.
Addressing the Ojougboh family in Agbor, Ebie described the deceased former lawmaker as a dogged politician, adding that Ojougboh “was good to me and always saw me as his younger brother.”
In their separate responses during the visit to their respective place, Miss Ngozi Edozien, and Courteous Ojougboh, thanked the NDDC chairman for his visit to condole with them, adding that his kind words were a great comfort in their moment of grief.