By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the 1967 Asaba Massacre as one of the most painful and terrible episodes of the Nigerian Civil War.

Obasanjo spoke virtually on Wednesday as chairman of the 59th anniversary memorial held in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

He said the occasion marked the remembrance of “one very sad aspect” of the civil war, adding that the war itself was an unfortunate event that should never have happened.

“But the Asaba Massacre, as it is called, was one of the most painful, one of the most terrible aspects of that war,” he said.

Obasanjo said he was moved to tears after receiving documents on the massacre from Chuks Nduka-Eze, convener of the Asaba Massacre Memorial. He added that he was saddened such an event occurred “in my own country, in my lifetime.”

The former military head of state urged survivors and victims’ families to embrace forgiveness and reconciliation. “To all of you assembled: let us keep one thing in mind — forgiveness, forgiveness, and forgiveness again,” he said. He also called for the tragedy to be remembered as part of efforts to prevent a recurrence.

In response, Epiphany Azinge, the Asagba of Asaba, said the community could forgive without forgetting the massacre or abandoning its demand for accountability. “We may not forget, but certainly, we have to forgive,” he said.

The monarch, however, said there could be no closure or healing until a sitting Nigerian president publicly apologised to the people of Asaba. “There will be no closure, there will be no healing until a sitting President — not an ex-President, but a sitting President — publicly apologises to us,” he said. He noted that former military Head of State Yakubu Gowon had apologised while out of office.

Azinge also questioned Obasanjo’s appeal for Nigerians to say “never again,” recalling the Odi killings during Obasanjo’s administration. “Coming from him, I was a bit taken aback. How long do we say ‘never again’? But it happened at Odi,” he said.

Despite his demand for a presidential apology, Azinge publicly proclaimed forgiveness for the family of Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo, who was associated with the military operation during the massacre. “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 said.

The monarch said the community had accepted the apology offered by retired Major General Ahmed Taiwo, son of Colonel Taiwo. Taiwo had expressed regret and apologised on behalf of his father and family for any act, omission or commission that contributed to the massacre. “I know it will not right the wrong, but I believe and pray it is a start towards reconciliation,” he said.

The 59th anniversary memorial also called for national recognition of the massacre and the establishment of a permanent memorial centre ahead of next year’s 60th anniversary.

The Asaba Massacre occurred between October 5 and 7, 1967, in Asaba, present-day Delta State, during the Nigerian Civil War. It targeted civilians in Asaba, most of them Igbo, and was carried out by the Nigerian Army’s Second Infantry Division.

Hon. Abubakar Aminu Ibrahim has been appointed Secretary of the Directorate of Mobilization of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), Kano State Chapter.

Ibrahim announced his appointment in a statement dated October 8, 2026 on his verified Facebook page saying the appointment was approved and conveyed by the Kano State Coordinator of A4A, Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo.

According to him, the appointment comes with a significant responsibility, as he expressed appreciation to Gwarzo for considering him worthy of serving in the strategic position within the organisation.

Ibrahim described the appointment as a confidence reposed in him by the leadership of A4A, assuring that he would work diligently to justify the trust placed in him.

The new mobilisation secretary said he was prepared to work with the leadership and members of A4A to strengthen the organisation’s mobilisation activities across Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He pledged his loyalty, dedication and commitment to mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

Ibrahim said the mobilisation efforts would be aimed at building broad support for Tinubu’s administration and ensuring the success of the APC in Kano State.

He called for collective efforts among members and supporters of A4A, stressing that the task of achieving electoral success would require unity, commitment and sustained grassroots mobilisation.

The newly appointed secretary expressed confidence in the organisation’s ability to achieve its objectives, declaring: “Together we will deliver.”

Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, has strengthened its support for the Jakura community through scholarship awards and empowerment programmes for farmers and market women.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony on Monday, Plant Director, Obajana Plant, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, said the scheme was part of the company’s commitment to implementing the provisions of the Community Development Agreement (CDA).

Represented by the Head of Social Performance at the Obajana Plant, Prince Ademola Adeyemi, he said the empowerment programme benefited students, farmers and market women.

Engr. Nawabuddin said the programme, which focused on students, farmers and market women, underscores DCP’s continued commitment to sustainable community development, poverty reduction and economic empowerment across its host communities.

He said a total of twenty beneficiaries drawn from several tertiary institutions and sixty beneficiaries from secondary schools received educational grants running into several millions of naira.

He disclosed that 20 farmers were provided with essential farming implements and funds, noting that the initiative is designed to enhance agricultural productivity, encourage the adoption of improved farming practices and contribute to greater food security in the community.

Twenty market women were each provided with start-up capital and business support to strengthen their enterprises, promote financial independence and enhance household incomes.

The event attracted several stakeholders, traditional rulers, government representatives, and community leaders including: His Royal Highness, Oba Usman Adoga Ajibola, the Obaro of Jakura., Representative of the Olu of Oworo, Chief K.A Mahmood, (The Obalumema of Oworo Land), Engr. E.O. Olaitan, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD), Mrs. A. O. Onimode, Kogi State Ministry of Solid Mineral and Natural Resources, youth and women groups, members of Jakura traditional council, among others.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Jakura CDA Committee, Chief Bonibade Ajiboye, appreciated Dangote Cement Plc Obajana Plant for keeping to commitments noting that aside the empowerment programme, the electrification project is almost completed.

He commended the Plant for the kind gesture towards Jakura community despite the security challenge. Goodwill messages were brought to the event by members of Jakura traditional council, Oworo traditional council, Federal and State representatives with all commending and joining Jakura community to express appreciation to Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant.

In his remarks, His Royal Highness, Oba Usman Adoga Ajibola, the Obaro of Jakura, expressed gratitude to Almighty God for blessing Jakura with abundant mineral resources and commended **Alhaji Aliko Dangote** for choosing to invest in the area.

The royal father also lauded Dangote Cement Plc for its numerous developmental interventions in the community, describing the latest empowerment initiative as another demonstration of the company’s commitment to improving the welfare and livelihoods of its host communities.

He pledged that the community would ensure the sustainability of the projects and see to it that the beneficiaries put their respective benefits to good use.

He prayed for Allah’s continued blessings upon Alhaji Aliko Dangote for his generosity, philanthropy and contributions to humanity.