– By Chukwura Ogechukwu Charles, Palace Media Assistant to HRM.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, has commended His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, OON, FNIALS, FICMC, LLD (HC), KSJI, KSG, the 14th Asagba of Asaba, HRM Agu Nwanyi Dr. Valerie Azinge SAN, OFR and the Asaba Massacre Memorial Committee led by Chief Chuck Ndukaeze, Isama Ajie Ahaba, for making the 59th Memorial Anniversary of the Asaba Massacre worthwhile.
Dr. Emu stated that the event is very dear to the Governor of Delta State in all ramifications and affirmed that the proposed Asaba Massacre Memorial Monument is the way to go.
He noted with dismay that “all is not fair in war” as evident in the Asaba Massacre. He described the symbolic apology tendered by Rtd. Major General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo, son of the late Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Taiwo, as proof that reconciliation has begun. “We have for too long relied on oral history, just as former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, had posited concerning General Gowon,” he said. He added that survivors of the massacre are living testimonies that counter hearsay, as some families were completely wiped out.
Dr. Emu acknowledged the resilience of the Asaba people despite the massacre and commended HRM Asagba Azinge for extending forgiveness despite the selective cleansing of Asaba males. “To forgive is divine. The Delta State Government will always support this cause,” he assured.
HRM Asagba Azinge warmly welcomed the Governor’s representative, top government functionaries, and His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR, mni, the Obi of Onitsha, among other dignitaries.
The Monarch noted that this marks the first time State or Federal public functionaries are officially participating in the memorial. “On behalf of the Asaba community and as the prescribed authority, the Asagba of Asaba, I hereby publicly proclaim that we have forgiven the Taiwo family,” he declared.
“There is every need for us to forgive, even though we may not forget. With a lot of conviction and courage openly displayed by Major General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo (Rtd.) in apologizing to the Asaba Community before the world, we have every reason to accept such apology,” Asagba stated.
His Majesty eulogized Asaba women for their strength and resilience, noting that as single mothers after the massacre, they trained their children to commanding heights in the country – a feat rarely found anywhere in Nigeria.
“How are we sure that it is not the blood of our martyrs that has watered our land for the utility, infrastructural growth and everything Asaba has become today? They are still with us, watching, helping and living with us as we drive on,” Nna Agu stated.
He commended Chief Chuck Ndukaeze for his resilience and recalled his visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in February 2025, where he presented the issue of the Asaba Massacre among other community concerns. While the President attended to other issues, he glossed over the massacre. “We will keep pushing till it is done,” the Asagba assured.
He further recalled that when a delegation of the Nigerian Army from Abuja visited Asaba for a recruitment sensitization exercise, he informed them that Asaba is yet to forget the 1967 massacre and the elimination of the Okonwezes, among others. He urged Asaba youths to take advantage of the recruitment exercise, noting that the Nigerian Army is not what it used to be.
Nna Agu charged that it would be appropriate for a sitting President to tender a public apology to the Asaba community. He noted that while General Gowon has apologized, he did not do so as a sitting President. “Asaba community deserves better for the dastardly act unleashed on over 1,000 people,” he said.
In his goodwill message, HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, appreciated Asagba Azinge for inviting him to be part of the 59th memorial. He noted that the history is also important to Onitsha people because of their shared culture and traditions. “Onitsha lost lives and properties, but not as sacrilegious as that of Asaba. Such massacre should never happen again in Asaba or any part of Nigeria,” the Obi appealed. “There must be restoration. He praise the courage of Major General A.I. Taiwo for seeking forgiveness and commend Asagba Azinge for the spirit of forgiveness; this will make us move forward as a country.”
Earlier, Chairman of the Memorial Committee, Chief Chuck Ndukaeze, Isama Ajie Ahaba, thanked HRM Asagba Azinge for the platform and commended the Obi of Onitsha for attending despite his busy schedule ahead of his sacred Ofala Festival. He noted that this year’s memorial is unique and symbolic as next year will mark the 60th anniversary, and the message will be sent to all appropriate institutions to show that Nigerian lives matter.
Chief Ndukaeze, whose late mother, Mrs Eziuno Ndukaeze(Nee Mordi) was a victim of Asaba Massacre, stated that he has been on this cause since 1998. “The impression of whether we have One Nigeria remains in doubt as the Federal Government has refused to acknowledge that such gruesome massacre occurred, despite Asaba not being a war zone,” he said. He recalled taking the documentary to the Oputa Panel, among others, without any action till date.
In a virtual message, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, stated that the event was not fiction but a reality in his lifetime. He expressed happiness that General Gowon had apologized to the people of Asaba for the dastardly act and pledged that never again should such a black day occur in Nigeria. He had hoped to be physically present as Chairman of the occasion but was unavoidably absent. He appealed to all Asaba sons and daughters to find a place in their hearts to forgive, for the purpose of unity.
Speaking on behalf of his family, Rtd. Major General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo said he first became aware of the Asaba Massacre in 1995 when he came across a pamphlet detailing his late father’s role, which left him sober for weeks. He researched further by meeting two of his late father’s friends who told him exactly what occurred. He expressed dismay at the total denial of the massacre by some highly placed persons until he met Chief Chuck Ndukaeze with whom he collaborated.
On behalf of his entire family, he apologized with deep regrets for the actions of his late father and pledged that the family will visit Asaba soon. He appealed to Ndi Ahaba to find a place in their hearts to forgive and prayed for the departed souls to continue to rest in peace.
Ogbueshi Chike Ogeah shared his own ordeal as a young boy when his father drove them from Benin to Onitsha for safety. He gave the vote of thanks on behalf of HRM Asagba Azinge and the Asaba community to the organizers and all in attendance at the 59th Memorial Anniversary.
A major highlight was the unveiling of a large canvas painting depicting the Asaba Massacre by 16-year-old Master Kaneyachukwu Tagbi Okeke, Guinness World Record holder for the largest canvas painting in history, accompanied by his father, which he presented to the Asaba community.
