Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, has reaffirmed his administration’s support for the proposed Asaba Massacre Memorial Monument, describing it as an important step towards preserving the memory of the victims of the 1967 tragedy and advancing reconciliation.
The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, gave the assurance at the 59th anniversary commemoration of the Asaba Massacre, where the Asaba community publicly announced its forgiveness of the family of the late Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Taiwo, whose role in the tragic events was acknowledged by his son, retired Major General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo.
The event, held in Asaba on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, brought together traditional rulers, government officials, community leaders and other dignitaries to honour the victims of the massacre, in which more than 1,000 people were reported killed during the Nigerian Civil War.
Emu said the commemoration was particularly significant to Governor Oborevwori, who appreciated the efforts of the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, OON, and the Asaba Massacre Memorial Committee, led by Chief Chuck Ndukaeze, for sustaining the campaign for remembrance, justice and reconciliation.
He described the proposed memorial monument as a necessary initiative for preserving the history of the massacre and ensuring that future generations understand the tragedy and its enduring consequences.
The SSG’s representative also commended the Asaba community for its resilience and the Asagba for demonstrating the courage to forgive despite the magnitude of the atrocities suffered by the people.
Emu noted that the symbolic apology offered by retired Major General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo on behalf of his family represented a significant step towards reconciliation, stressing that the testimonies of survivors remained vital in establishing the historical reality of the massacre.
He assured the community of the Delta State Government’s continued support for efforts to preserve the memory of the victims and promote healing.
In a defining moment of the commemoration, Asagba Azinge publicly declared that the Asaba community had forgiven the Taiwo family, following the apology tendered by the retired military officer.
Speaking as the traditional ruler and prescribed authority of Asaba, the monarch said the decision was taken in the interest of reconciliation, without diminishing the community’s obligation to remember the victims and preserve the historical truth.
“There is every need for us to forgive, even though we may not forget,” the Asagba said, noting that the apology demonstrated courage and sincerity.
He, however, called for a formal public apology from a sitting President of Nigeria, arguing that the scale of the tragedy and its consequences warranted acknowledgement at the highest level of the Federal Government.
The monarch also urged the authorities to give the proposed memorial monument the necessary attention, recalling that he had raised the issue, alongside other concerns affecting Asaba, during a visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in February 2025.
He maintained that the community would continue to pursue official recognition of the massacre and the establishment of a lasting memorial to honour those who lost their lives.
The Asagba paid tribute to Asaba women, whose resilience and sacrifices helped sustain families and nurture their children following the killing of many men and boys during the massacre.
He said their determination to rebuild their families had contributed significantly to the emergence of accomplished individuals from the community despite the devastating loss suffered in 1967.
The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR, mni, who attended the commemoration, said the tragedy also resonated with the people of Onitsha because of their shared cultural heritage and historical ties with Asaba.
Achebe commended the Asagba for promoting reconciliation and praised retired Major General Taiwo for apologising on behalf of his family. He stressed that such atrocities must never be repeated in Asaba or anywhere else in Nigeria.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who addressed the gathering virtually, described the massacre as a historical reality rather than fiction and expressed satisfaction that former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, had apologised to the Asaba people.
Obasanjo appealed to the people of Asaba to embrace forgiveness in the interest of national unity, while urging Nigerians to ensure that such a tragedy never occurred again.
In his address, retired Major General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo recounted how he first learnt about the massacre in 1995 through a pamphlet detailing his late father’s role in the incident.
He said the account troubled him and prompted further inquiries, including discussions with two friends of his late father, who provided additional information about the events.
The retired general expressed regret over the massacre and, on behalf of the Taiwo family, tendered an apology to the Asaba community, appealing to the people to find room in their hearts to forgive. He also pledged that members of the family would visit Asaba.
Chairman of the Asaba Massacre Memorial Committee, Chief Chuck Ndukaeze, said the annual commemoration remained important in the quest for official acknowledgement of the tragedy and recognition of the victims.
Ndukaeze, whose late mother, Mrs Eziuno Ndukaeze, née Mordi, was among those affected by the massacre, said he had pursued the cause since 1998, including presenting a documentary on the incident to the Oputa Panel, without the desired outcome.
He described the 59th anniversary as particularly significant ahead of the 60th anniversary in 2027, expressing the determination to ensure that relevant institutions received the community’s demands for recognition and remembrance.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of a large canvas painting depicting the Asaba Massacre, created by 16-year-old Master Kaneyachukwu Tagbi Okeke, a Guinness World Record holder for the largest canvas painting in history. The artwork was presented to the Asaba community as a tribute to the victims and a reminder of the need to preserve the lessons of the tragedy.
The commemoration also featured a personal account by Ogbueshi Chike Ogeah, who recalled how his father drove the family from Benin to Onitsha to seek safety during the conflict.
The event ended with renewed calls for historical recognition, reconciliation and the preservation of the memory of the victims, as the Asaba community prepares to mark the 60th anniversary of the massacre in 2027.
