By Austin Ogwuda

“The Asaba Massacre is a sore spot in the minds of Ndi Ahaba, we have endured for 54 years this gruesome massacre of our men and boys, the future generation of Asaba was greatly truncated by this wicked act yet we trudge on to a glorious future, one that is devoid of bitterness even to our traducers” – CHIKE OGEAH Esq

The above terse statement from Ogbueshi Chike Ogeah, a son of the soil and a former Commissioner for Information under former Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, in Delta State during the 2021 Annual Memorial Anniversary of October 1967 Asaba Massacre says it all.

In fact, the Asaba Massacre can be aptly described as a living trauma, indeed.

The quest to assuage the people of Asaba over the massacre, or better coined as genocide has become a recurring decimal during each Annual Memorial Anniversary.

This Reporter can remember vividly how the departed Asagba of Asaba, Obi Professor Chike Edozien kept on talking about it consistently even when he was above 90 years of age, age was not a barrier as he recalled the atrocities committed against the people of Asaba who trooped out to welcome the Nigerian troops with dance on that fateful day.

When General Yakubu Gowon came calling at his palace on courtesy visits at different times, the departed Asagba Edozien never failed to mention the need for Asaba to be compensated.

That trajectory has continued.

During this year’s Memorial Anniversary, which marked the first public outing after his ascension to the throne, the new Asagba of Asaba, Obi Professor Epiphany Azinge (SAN) was on the same page with his predecessor.

When Senator Ned Nwoko paid him a courtesy visit at his palace on Sunday this week, the same issue of compensation, again, resonated.

Nwoko, had earlier briefed him comprehensively on his agenda for the entire Delta North (Anioma)

he represents at the Red Chambers.

Responding, the Asagba said, “I appreciate your industry. I commend you for the Anioma project. We hope it becomes a reality in fullness of time.

“We thank you for your efforts to make Federal College of Education Asaba a full-fledged university. Asaba is the only state capital in Nigeria without a federal university. It was the wish of my predecessor (Obi Prof Chike Edozien) that a federal university be sited at Asaba as a compensation for the war- time massacre of Asaba people on October 7, 1967.

“We pray for you (Nwoko) to succeed. We are prepared to support you in the service of the people. You have excelled so far. As a broad-minded Senator, you relate across political parties and tribal inclinations. We know you as a man of class and a go-getter.

“On behalf of Asaba kingdom, we must tell you that we are happy and proud of you. Continue to propagate the Anioma identity and philosophy”, said the Asagba.

Take a cursory look at the second paragraph of Asagba’s response to Senator Nwoko, the issue of compensation was loud and clear, craving for positive solution. The compensation mentioned by the monarch is one of the agenda being vigorously pursued by the Senator in the National Assembly.

The bill to convert the Federal College of Education (Technical) to a Federal University of Technology Asaba has passed second reading and has been committed to the Senate Committee on TETFUND and Tertiary Education for committee input. Senator Nwoko is very much aware of this need and is committed to its actualisation, a development that will be an answer to one of the yearnings of Asaba people.

Having passed through second reading on the floor of the Senate within a short time, it shows that Senator Nwoko is determined to see the conversion of the federal college to a full fledged university in a record time. That will be one of the biggest federal government presence in Asaba, the capital city of Delta state.

Beside the conversion of the federal college of education to a university status, Senator Nwoko is seeking other positives as solutions to transform Asaba and make a destination for all classes of people.

Nwoko’s motion on: “Need for Redress, Healing and Reconciliation for the Grievous 1967 Asaba Massacre” is also in this direction. 

Already, Nwoko in December last year presented the above mentioned motion on the floor of the Nigerian Senate.

And one major takeaway is that the motion which ultimately seeks to bring attention to, as well as to address the tragic events of the 1967 Asaba massacre, holds the promise of not only acknowledging the historical injustice but also to redress same.

Unarguably too, Nwoko is wired for this daunting task as a jinx breaker.

Immediately Nwoko was appointed to chair the newly created Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriations, a group known as the United Igbo Elders Council, worldwide, UIECW described the appointment as a round peg in a right hole.

UIECW Director, Media and Publicity, Professor Obasi Igwe said, “The appointment is well deserving and with the enviable antecedent of the capacity imbued, committed, result oriented, highly experienced and patriotic Senator Ned Nwoko especially in that field and if, given all the needed necessary assistance by the Committee in carrying out the onerous national task then, Federal government and Nigerians will achieve the objectives of creating the unique Committee in no time.

“Reparations”, he went on, “would involve a national apology, financial payment, social service benefits, and much more.

Senator Nwoko last year made a demand for $5 trillion reparations, apology from Colonial masters for slavery and other injustices on the African continent and exploitation of African resources.

“It is expected that Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko’s appointment as Chairman Senate Committee on reparations and repatriations will bring about the needed opportunity for Nigeria to lend a voice in the debate for reparations.

“Thank You Sen. Ned Nwoko for bringing up this awareness in the first place”.

The question now is: if the Idumuje-Ugboko born Prince can engage the international community squarely, demanding for compensation for slavery and other injustices on the African continent and exploitation of African resources, then there is hope as he also, pursues the Asaba cause.

The Townhall wishes him good luck as he fights injustices particularly that of Asaba and neighbouring communities in Delta North affected by the 1967 genocide, otherwise called ASABA MASSACRE.

*Austin Ogwuda, a former State Correspondent of VANGUARD Newspapers in Asaba, Delta State, between 2000 – 2014, is the Editor, THE TOWNHALL