The palace of the monarch of Asaba has finally officially announced the passing of His Royal Majesty, the Asagba of Asaba.

The announcement was made by the Iyese after a number of rituals and ceremonies within the palace of the nonagenarian.

Prior to the announcement, the chief warrior also known as the Odogwu of the kingdom led the various clans in a ceremonial dance. This was followed by a 21 gun salute and a 1-minute silence in honour of the accomplished academic that may now rightly be described as the ‘late Professor Chike Joseph Edozien.’

A royal dance is currently ongoing led by the Umu Ada also known as the maidens of the kingdom.

When the news of his passing broke on Thursday, 8th of February, the Palace Secretary, Ogbueshi Ndili said that “His Royal Majesty is only hospitalized. If the worse comes to the worse, we will make it open”, Ndili said.

Similarly, when contacted to respond to the rumours, the member representing Oshimili South Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Bridget Anyafulu said: ”I don’t know anything about that.”

News filtered out in the early hours of Thursday that the 99 years old monarch who would have clocked 100 years on July 28 passed on. The news caused anxiety in Asaba and the entire State.

In most Southeast Nigeria traditions, there are rituals and procedures that must be performed before announcing the d3ath of a monarch. Having now fulfilled all the rites, the announcement was officially made public today with all the key high chiefs, members of the family and delegates from within the town present.

The kingdom and indeed the entire nation awaits the burial programme.