The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has extolled the exemplary life of the late traditional ruler of Ogwu-Ikpele in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Eze Valentine Chukuma Onyema III, hailing his contributions to societal development.
Obaseki eulogised the late monarch at the celebration of the last Ofala in his Community, Ogwu-Ikpele, Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State.
The late traditional ruler is the father of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Oscar N. Onyema OON. He died at the age of 105 years.
Obaseki was accompanied by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food security, Steven Idehenre; Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Joshua Omokhodion; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Osilama Okuofu, among other top government functionaries.
The governor said, “I am here to celebrate the life and time of our Igwe and have to come here because of what the Igwe means to us in the State. He is our in-law as he came to take a wife from us in Benin.
“Apart from the relationship between the Benin Kingdom and the Anambra people, we are here to celebrate the life of a great man and a great community leader.
“We are in solidarity with you and look up to God and to you to continue to propagate his legacy and the values he stood for and take up the challenge to build the Community. I appreciate his colleagues at the Anambra Traditional Council for gracing the occasion.”
He added, “We are here to celebrate the life of an amazing patriot and someone who has worked hard for his Community in terms of human capacity.”
In his response, Oscar Onyema noted, “The governor is my brother and he has always been there for me and what he has done is not out of character. My father has really tried for this Community and it’s befitting that we gave him a very good send forth.
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