Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the Asaba Massacre as one of the most painful, one of the most terrible aspects of the Nigerian Civil War.
He stated on Wednesday at the 59th anniversary memorial of the Asaba Massacre in Asaba, Delta state, lamenting he wept after receiving documents on the massacre from Nduka-Eze, adding that he was saddened that such an event occurred “in my own country, in my lifetime.”
Obasanjo, who participated virtually as chairman of the occasion, appealed for forgiveness and reconciliation 59 years after the Asaba Massacre.
“This marks the remembrance of one very sad aspect of the Nigerian Civil War. Of course, the war in its entirety was an unfortunate event which should never happen.
“But the Asaba Massacre, as it is called, was one of the most painful, one of the most terrible aspects of that war. To all of you assembled: let us keep one thing in mind — forgiveness, forgiveness, and forgiveness again,” Obasanjo said.
But the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi Epiphany Azinge, has insisted that there can be no closure for his people until a sitting President publicly apologize for the 1967 killings.
The Asagba took exception to the suggestion that the matter could be closed simply through forgiveness, stressing that the community’s demand for accountability remained.
“Although former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, had apologized while out of office, the people needed an acknowledgement from a serving Nigerian President.
“We may not forget, but certainly, we have to forgive. There will be no closure, there will be no healing until a sitting President, not an ex-President, but a sitting President publicly apologize to us.
“We need a sitting President to apologise to the Asaba people, and that will bring closure,” he said.
The Asagba also challenged Obasanjo’s “never again” appeal, recalling that the Odi killings occurred during his administration.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, in his speech said researchers and community historians had estimated that more than 1,000 people died in the massacre.
“Let us speak clearly: the killing of unarmed civilians can never be justified.” he stated.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, the governor pledged continued support for national recognition of the massacre and the establishment of a fitting national memorial.
The convener of the Asaba Massacre Memorial, Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, said the 60th anniversary would be used to further tell the story to Nigeria and the world, stressing that “Nigerian lives matter.”
The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe (Agbogidi), also offered remarks on restitution, reconciliation and forgiveness on the occasion.
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