The Nigerian federal government is set to make a formal reconciliation declaration over the 1967 Asaba Massacre in Delta State, 59 years after hundreds of people were killed during the Nigerian Civil War. Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, disclosed this at the anniversary memorial in Asaba. Oborevwori emphasized that official acknowledgement of the tragedy by governments is critical to reconciliation.
Oborevwori noted that Delta State had acknowledged the massacre and that Nigeria would also acknowledge it. He expressed hope that the world would also acknowledge the tragedy. A formal reconciliation declaration will be made by the Nigerian government. The governor added that the state would support national recognition of the massacre and the establishment of a fitting national memorial.
Remembering the tragedy should not be interpreted as an attack on Nigeria, Oborevwori said. He urged Nigerians not to inherit the bitterness of the past but to learn from it. The governor emphasized that ethnicity, suspicion, or political conflict should not become a licence for the killing of innocent people.
The Asagba of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Azinge, said the community had forgiven but had not forgotten the massacre. Azinge insisted that a sitting President of Nigeria must publicly apologize to the people of Asaba before the tragedy could be fully laid to rest. He added that there would be no closure and no healing until a sitting President of Nigeria publicly apologizes to the Asaba people.
Maj-Gen Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo, son of the late Maj Ibrahim Taiwo, an Army officer associated with the events, apologized to the people of Asaba after researching his father's role in the massacre. Taiwo said he cannot change what happened, but he believes and prays that his gesture can be a step towards reconciliation.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the massacre as one of the most painful and disturbing aspects of the Nigerian Civil War. He urged the people to forgive and said he wept after reviewing documents relating to the killings. Obasanjo added that such a black and unpleasant day should never occur in Nigeria or anywhere else in Africa.
The state government is proposing the establishment of a memorial centre to preserve the names, testimonies, and records of the victims for future generations. Key stakeholders, including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, and Chief Chuks Nduka-Eze, convener of the memorial, called for truth, justice, restoration, and healing.
Key points
- The Nigerian government will make a formal reconciliation declaration over the 1967 Asaba Massacre.
- A memorial centre will be established to preserve the names, testimonies, and records of the victims.
- A sitting President of Nigeria must publicly apologize to the people of Asaba for full closure.
