Governorship flag bearer under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM OON, has expressed grief at the passing of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Endozien.
In his reaction, the former Minister of State for Education, said he received with sadness and an immense feeling of great national loss, news of the passing away of the highly revered traditional ruler of Asaba kingdom.
“I learnt with profound grief, the news of the passage to eternal glory of the Asagba of Asaba, after a glorious 33 years on the throne”.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, Tuesday February 13th 2024, Gbagi, extended special commiseration to the members of the late Asagba’s immediate family.
The statement reads: “On behalf of my family, political associates and the entire SDP family whom the late Asagba believed in, I extend sincere condolences to the people of Asaba and Deltans in general on the passage of the beloved monarch who had ruled over his people since his ascension to the throne in 1991, when the government of General Ibrahim Babangida created Delta State.
“The late Asagba was an exemplary monarch who was highly revered and respected across the country because of his love for peace and knack for conflict resolution.
“He was indeed a peace-loving father figure, a stabilizing force and courageous bridge builder who devoted so much energy to not only bringing communities closer, but also ensuring rancor-free politicking by uniting politicians of divergent principles and proclivities.
“I can recollect easily from my personal interactions with the late Asagba of Asaba that he was a modest, urbane, and rational monarch.
“He will indeed be missed by his family, the good people of Asaba, the State and the entire nation.”
He described the late monarch as a stabilizing force and bridge-builder, who was committed to the cause for Delta and Nigeria’s unity, growth and renaissance.
Gbagi assured the people of Asaba of the fullest sympathy and solidarity as they mourned the late Asagba of Asaba whom he said would always be remembered as one of the most outstanding traditional rulers of his era.
The largest employer of labour prayed that God Almighty would receive the late Asagba’s soul and grant him peaceful repose.
It would be recall that during the electioneering period when Olorogun Gbagi and his campaign council visited the palace, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Endozien, said “Gbagi, here, is our son. We have worked for years. We know him well and we trust him”.
