Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged survivors and families affected by the 1967 Asaba Massacre to embrace forgiveness and reconciliation during a virtual event commemorating the tragedy's 59th anniversary. Obasanjo, who chaired the memorial, described the massacre as one of the most horrific events of the Nigerian Civil War, emphasizing the importance of preventing such atrocities from happening again.

Speaking to the attendees, Obasanjo expressed his deep sorrow upon learning about the massacre, stating, "To all of you assembled: let us keep one thing in mind, forgiveness, forgiveness, and forgiveness again." He underscored the need for the people of Asaba to forgive while working towards healing and reconciliation.

In response to Obasanjo's appeal, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, the Asagba of Asaba, acknowledged the community's willingness to forgive but stressed that they would not forget the pain inflicted by the massacre. He highlighted the necessity of a public apology from a sitting president to facilitate true healing and closure. "We may not forget, but certainly, we have to forgive," Azinge remarked, recalling that former military Head of State Yakubu Gowon had previously issued an apology while out of office.

Azinge also questioned the sincerity of Obasanjo's call for reconciliation, referencing the Odi killings that occurred during Obasanjo's presidency. He remarked, "How long do we say ‘never again’? But it happened at Odi," indicating that past injustices must be addressed for genuine reconciliation to take place.

The Asagba urged the community to continue honoring the victims of the massacre, stating, "From the going down of the sun till the morning, we will always remember them." He acknowledged that while the community has moved forward, the need for remembrance, justice, and reconciliation remains critical as they prepare for the 60th anniversary of the tragedy next year.

Despite the demand for a presidential apology, Azinge took a significant step towards reconciliation by publicly forgiving the family of Col. Ibrahim Taiwo, who was implicated in the massacre. He announced that the Asaba community had accepted an apology from Maj. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, Col. Taiwo's son, who expressed regret for his father's actions.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by Dr. Kingsley Emu, the Secretary to the State Government, reaffirmed the community's pain, stating that estimates suggest over 1,000 lives were lost during the massacre. He condemned the killing of unarmed civilians and pledged support for national recognition of the massacre, including the establishment of a fitting memorial.

Chief Chuks Nduka-Eze, the convener of the Asaba Massacre Memorial, announced ongoing preparations for the upcoming 60th anniversary, aiming to establish a permanent memorial center to honor the victims. He emphasized that the message surrounding the Asaba Massacre is that Nigerian lives matter, and the anniversary will serve as an opportunity to share the story of the tragedy with the nation and the world.

The memorial event also featured contributions from various community leaders, including Mr. Enotie Ogbebor, who highlighted the importance of remembering the massacre globally, and Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, who spoke on themes of restitution, reconciliation, and forgiveness. The collective sentiment at the memorial underscored the ongoing quest for justice and the need for historical acknowledgment of the Asaba Massacre.