Obasanjo Calls For Forgiveness As Asaba Remembers 1967 Massacre

(Former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Photo by Premuim Times)

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged survivors and families of victims of the 1967 Asaba Massacre to choose forgiveness and reconciliation.

He spoke virtually on Wednesday as chairman of the 59th anniversary memorial in Asaba.

He called the massacre one of the most painful parts of the civil war and said he wept after reading documents on it sent by Chuck Nduka-Eze, the Isama Ajie of Asaba and convener of the memorial.

He asked the people to keep forgiveness in mind and work to make sure such a thing never happens again.

The Asagba of Asaba, Professor Epiphany Azinge, said the people can forgive but will never forget.

He said there will be no closure until a sitting president publicly apologises to Asaba, noting that former Head of State Yakubu Gowon apologised after leaving office.

He also said he was surprised by Obasanjo's never again call, since the Odi killings happened while Obasanjo was president.

Even so, the Asagba announced that the community has forgiven the family of Ibrahim Taiwo, a colonel in the army at the time.

This followed an apology from his son, retired Major-General Ahmed Taiwo, who expressed regret for any act or failure that led to the killings.

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Emu, said researchers estimate that more than 1,000 people died.

He said killing unarmed civilians can never be justified and promised support for national recognition and a proper national memorial.

Nduka-Eze said plans are on for next year's 60th anniversary and for a permanent memorial centre.

Enotie Ogbebor, son of then Colonel Paul Ogbebor, who is credited with saving lives during the killings, said the memorial site should remind the world that no innocent life should be lost.

The Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, also spoke on restitution, reconciliation and forgiveness.