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Asaba Annual Memorial Day, October 2024 (Pictures and Video)
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A delegate from the Nigerian army led by brigadier general Okechukwu Unochukwu of 63 brigade Asaba,paid his royal majesty a courtesy visit.
With the entourage were soldiers from the army headquarters and army war college who are in Asaba for a national assignment.
General Unochukwu while addressing and introducing the delegate, informed the king that the assignment can’t be carried out, without first seeking approval from his majesty,which is the reason for the visit.
Major general J.O Shokoya of the Nigeria Army headquarters introduced his team to Nna Agu. He told his Majesty that their mission is to research on the Nigerian civil war and to obtain the factual history from the Asaba people who the war happened to and also to visit the site of the massacre.This he said is not to remind the people of the loss but to teach history, weigh the pros and cons of what should have been done to avert such situations ,how to prevent any reoccurrence and lessons learned for future engagement by the Army.
The visit was described as an auspicious one by his majesty because of its closeness to the massacre day celebration date.
He emphasized that Asaba people were never pro biafra and were victims of circumstances stemming from Maybe army hostility in war or the fact that Asaba children headed major administrative positions in midwestern region irrespective of the capital city and the war may have just being an excuse to conspire against these people for their positions. The later he said, could be the major reason the army had a compiled list of people for elimination in Asaba.
His Majesty tutored the delegation on the massacre, the loss and the continued pain of the people.
He emphasized that Asaba still say NEVER AGAIN.
The general in his response thanked his majesty for the warm reception and a clear perspective of the war narrated and pleaded that Asaba people welcome the troupe that would come for the assignment, as they can’t change the past but can use history with real events to train combatants.
The army were entertained by his majesty and a group photograph taken to commemorate the visit.
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Asagba’s 100-year birthday: Delta lauds chiefs for planting 1,000 trees
Delta State government has applauded Asaba chiefs for their 1,000 trees planting initiative in commemoration of the 100th birthday of the paramount ruler and Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi Chike Edozien, saying it will help in combating climate change.
The Director-General of Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Mr Patrick Ukah, gave the commendation during the tree planting exercise and reception, help at Ogwa-Uku, Asaba.
He said, “The state government will key in to the centenary celebration and we commend the initiative of the Asaba chiefs for the trees planting.
“There is need to also plant flowers, because of what climate change is doing to us now. We need to go green.”
Addressing the people of Asaba, the chairman of the Centenary Organizing Committee, Dr. Ben Okonta, said the week-long activity had been planned, beginning with a visit to the celebrant by Asaba traditional chiefs in order of hierarchy.
He said, “The trees planting event is part of the activities line up for the celebration of 100th birthday and 33-year coronation anniversary of the 13th Asagba of Asaba.”
President-General, Asaba Development Union, worldwide, who also doubles as co-chairman of the Centenary Organising Committee, Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, said that 100 years in the life of any human being, irrespective of status or position was worthy of celebration.
Azinge called on sons and daughters of the community at home and abroad to support the initiative.
Another co-chairman of the committee and Isama of Asaba, Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, noted that the Iyase of Asaba, Chief Patrick Onyeobi is the overall chairman of the organizing committee.
He said, “We have begun the centenary celebration. We decided to announce the celebration, beginning with the planting of 1,000 threes in the five Ebos (quarters) in Asaba.
“The choice of 1,000 trees is based on fact that 1,000 men were killed in Asaba during the war.”
He stressed the importance of trees to life, saying that it will serves as a historic reference for generation yet unborn, as the trees would remind them that the 13th Asagba of Asaba, in whose honour the trees were planted was a centenarian.
The symbolic 1000 tree planting was conducted by the Iyase of Asaba, Chief Onyeobi, supervised by Ukah and the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Ngozi Okolie
https://punchng.com/asagbas-100-year-birthday-delta-lauds-chiefs-for-planting-1000-trees/
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Some Guest at the exhibition of relatable art works in honour of the victims of the Asaba massacre of 1967. The exhibition is a fund raising initiative. for Asaba Memorial Park in honour of the victims of the Asaba massacre of 1967.
Some art works at the exhibition of relatable art works of the ugly incident opened on Novemebr 27th and ended on December 7, 2022, at the Red Door Gallery, Victoria Island Lagos, as fund raising initiative. Asaba Memorial is produced by a Whitespace Creative Agency as the first major exhibition to institute a memorial park in honour of the victims of the Asaba massacre of 1967.
To commemorate the tragic events of the notorious Asaba Massacre in 1967, an exhibition showcasing a captivating selection of works by Nigerian artists which provoke awareness and recognition of the tragic event in Nigeria’s history, ended last week.
Themed, “Asaba Memorial”, the exhibition aims to inspire remembrance and communal healing through art. It held to support the development of the Asaba Memorial Park – a cultural monument being planned in honour of the victims of the Asaba, Delta State massacre of 1967. A thousand trees will be planted in honour of the 1000 men killed in October 1967 in an open square at Ogbe-Osowa village and separate locations.
The exhibition of relatable art works of the ugly incident opened on Novemebr 27th and ended on December 7, 2022, at the Red Door Gallery, Victoria Island Lagos, as fund raising initiative.
Asaba Memorial is produced by a Whitespace Creative Agency as the first major exhibition to institute a memorial park in honour of the victims of the Asaba massacre of 1967.
The visual narrative on the Asaba massacre, offers a rare insight into the incidence that has long become one of the darkest part of the country’s history. It covers the emotional complexities of a forgotten peaceful community with compelling stories on the trajectory of the horror and the growing realisation of the extent of the massacre during the Nigerian civil war. Read more
I was there at the last day of this exhibition. I met some incredible Nigerians with whom I share so much history. We had all been impacted by the civil war and in many ways shaped by it. It was a riveting experience that I still have difficulty putting into words. All I could think was this: at least now we can attempt to talk about and share. May Nigeria step back from the path of horror and destruction. I am still crying inside. May we all find consolation soon. God bless all who hurt still.
I met and spoke to the gentleman who as a baby lost his mother in the massacre. He was the baby in the arms of his beloved mum portrayed in this artwork. She was shot as she remonstrated with the soldiers to stop beating and shooting civilians they were meant to protect. Will there ever be justice?
…………..Onyeka Onwenu
ASABA MEMORIAL EXHIBITION, INSPIRING REMEMBRANCE AND COMMUNAL HEALING
THROUGH ART
27 November – 7 December 2022
The first major exhibition to institute a memorial park in honour of the victims of the Asaba massacre of 1967.
Lagos, Nigeria – 27 November 2022:
The Asaba Memorial Committee is pleased to announce the opening of Asaba Memorial, a group exhibition curated by Otsholeng Poo, and convened by Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze – the Isama Ajie of Asaba – to commemorate the tragic events of the Asaba Massacre in 1967. Read More
ASABA MEMORIAL EXHIBITION, INSPIRING REMEMBRANCE AND COMMUNAL HEALING
THROUGH ART
27 November – 7 December 2022
The first major exhibition to institute a memorial park in honour of the victims of the Asaba massacre of 1967.
Lagos, Nigeria – 27 November 2022:
The Asaba Memorial Committee is pleased to announce the opening of Asaba Memorial, a group exhibition curated by Otsholeng Poo, and convened by Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze – the Isama Ajie of Asaba – to commemorate the tragic events of the Asaba Massacre in 1967. Read More
THE ASABA MEMORIAL ART EXHIBITION
Top Nigerian artists and art stakeholders are coming together to realize the impact that art holds as a means of sensitization, community raising and communal healing.
The Asaba Memorial art exhibition, curated by Otsholeng Poo, will be held at Red Door Gallery, in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria on November 27 through December 7 2022. Inviting art lovers and the general public to join in commemorating the sad events of October 5-7 1967, whose effects on the Asaba people remain profound and indelible.
In the early stages of the Nigerian/Biafran War, federal troops of the Second Division of the Nigerian Army entered Asaba on their way to cross over to Biafra. In the few days that followed, there occurred a massacre of the male population in what bore every aspect of a premeditated and planned mass execution. About 1000 Asabans were killed amidst other outrages normally associated with such operations.
The exhibition will help realize a fitting Monument by way of a Memorial Park/Cultural Space in honour of those who lost their lives and were displaced in the Asaba massacre of 1967.
AWCA 58 RAYMOND NJOKU S/W IKOYI
LAGOS – NIGERIA
www.aw-ca.com
The Asaba Memorial Park will have, as its foundation, a park with 1000 trees as a symbol to all the lives lost and extend to encompass a cultural and recreational attraction for tourists young and old.
The program is convened by entrepreneur and lawyer Chuck Nduka-Eze, who represented the Anioma Community at the special panel of The Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission of Nigeria in 1999 in respect to the genocide of their people during the Nigerian Civil War.
Mr Nduka-Eze is not new to the excitements and intricacies of the art world. In the cause celeb dead sheep case involving the damaged exhibit of the celebrated artist, Damien Hirst, exhibiting at the Serpentine Gallery, Kensington, London, he successfully prosecuted the curator, Mr Bridger, who damaged the piece as a protest gesture.
The Asaba Memorial art exhibition is produced by A Whitespace Creative Agency in conjunction with the Asaba Memorial Committee.
For more information contact us at team@aw-ca.com or visit www.asabamemorialmonument.org
Image: Victor Ehikamenor, Black Peace, 2022, Acrylic, pen and ink on paper
Courtesy of the artist and Asaba Memorial Committee
“Stories from the Forgotten War”
Elizabeth Bird, UK/Florida, USA
Creators of Justice Award 2022 |
Third Prize: Essay
Born and raised in the UK, Elizabeth is Professor Emerita of Anthropology at the University of South Florida, residing in Tampa, Florida.
She has published seven books, including The Asaba Massacre: Trauma, Memory, and the Nigerian Civil War, and Surviving Biafra: A Nigerwife’s Story, and she now focuses on creative non-fiction.
Her work appears (or will soon appear) in Under the Sun, Tangled Locks,Biostories, Streetlight, The Guardian, Skeptic Magazine, and elsewhere.
STORIES FROM THE FORGOTTEN WAR
“Testimonies such as these should become a kind of chain letter, hung permanently on the leaden conscience of the world.”
Wole Soyinka, The Man Died: Prison Notes, 1972
You tell me your stories, trusting me with these gifts. Stories that hang heavy after 50 years. Stories that bring tears of grief and betrayal. Stories that defined your lives.
How they came, helmets adorned with palm fronds and fatigues festooned with cartridge belts. They looked like your brothers, your sons, your husbands. The elders told you not to be afraid, for this was not your war. You believed them, until it was too late. Until you became another page in the chronicles of innocents.
Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, The Isama Ajie of Asaba briefing Umueazafadia Umuada’s and Ikpoho Ogbes about the Asaba Memorial Park Project on the 27th April 2022 in his Village family compound at 19 Umuaji Kings Street, Asaba – with him are Chief Oliko – Alibo of Asaba, Chief Chukwurah – The Osowa Owelle of Asaba, Chief Uche Gwam Odogwu – The Osuma Afaa of Asaba and Chief Leroy Edozien – The Ubili Kankwu of Asaba
Asaba Memorial Park Project in Partnership with Nigerian Leading Artists
Topic: Discussion of a Partnership with Selected Artists to assist with fund raising for the Development of Asaba Memorial Park Project.
Launching of the – ‘History of Igbo land, a re-appraisal of the origin of Onicha Ado N’Idu’, written by a retired Police Commissioner, Chief Ikechukwu Aduba, by the Chief Launcher, Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, the Isama Ajie of Asaba.
The Chairman of the occasion, and one time Chairman, Police Service Commission, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration and Ochendo Amichi, Chief Dr. Simon Okeke (OFR),said, the conspiracy had undermined….
Denial Of Presidency Slot To S.East, Conspiracy Against ‘Ndigbo’ – Ochendo Amichi, Chief Dr. Simon Okeke (OFR)
Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze (Chief Launcher)
‘History of Igbo land, a re-appraisal of the origin of Onicha Ado N’Idu’, written by a retired Police Commissioner, Chief Ikechukwu Aduba
Overtime, the origin of Igbos have been a topic of discussion with different opinions by different scholars. In a bid to weigh in and bring clarity to the subject matter, the Retired Commissioner of Police Ikechukwu Aduba wrote the book ‘History or Igboland and a reappraisal of the origin of Onicha Ado N’Idu. https://www.vanguardngr.com
Biafran war : Gen IBM Haruna opens up on ‘Asaba massacre’, says ICC probing incident
Credit:
The incident which took place in October 1967, reportedly saw to the gathering of young men by Nigerian troops and their alleged subsequent mass killing.
But speaking in the ugly development in an interview with Daily Trust, General Haruna, who later served as Nigeria’s information minister, said he didn’t partook in the massacre and only heard of it after the civil war.
The retired General said the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Hague through United States’ professors recently contacted him to explain what he knew
about the incident.
Haruna, however, said since he was not involved in the battle at Asaba, he could not really know what transpired.
His words : “When the Mid-West crisis erupted, I was in Lagos. Apart from my role as an ordinance officer, I was also serving as a rear commander to Adekunle’s team when it started; and subsequently , the involvement of the warfronts.
” Again, I had to do the role of mobilising troops and logistics from Lagos to support the force that was to be deployed to counter this intrusion, which I did in Lagos.
” And, in fact, when we were threatened by the troops coming to Ore, I had reinforcement from Kaduna and Lagos.
” It wasn’t long after that and Murtala was appointed as commander and had to form the second division to advance the war.
“It was long after engagement in Asaba and subsequently in Onitsha when I was appointed to take over from the acting GOC, Colonel Jalo.
” The success in Mid-West battle and crosses in Onitsha had been recorded before I was posted; it was just a fighting force that was arranged into the various attempts to cross into River Niger at Asaba. And subsequently, we turned around to Awka.
” At that point, I took over to reorganise and stabilise the division and ensured that the Mid-West was fully secured and the troops there were organised and there were some disciplined and recognisable units. I was with my headquarters in Onitsha, with the sector that was rear, to ensure that the defence and security of Onitsha were consolidated.
“There was no massacre; if there was, I was not involved. I told you that I took over the division after Onitsha had been ravaged. I never heard of massacre until after the civil war.
” I went there as a General Officer Commanding (GOC). I took over during the so- called massacre. It was in the process of taking over Asaba and subsequent crossing of the troops to Onitsha.
” I heard all these stories after the war; my name was even brandished. In fact, there was an occasion not long ago when some two professors from the United States came to conduct enquiry into this matter extensively, on behalf of the International Criminal Court and I told them that I was not there. I never heard of it. And when I did, it was a very unfortunate incident.
“As far as I am concerned, I was not there, so I cannot vouch for what happened. But there was a battle there and people have expressed their views about it, saying it was a massacre. All I can say is from reading reports years after the civil war. I particularly got a little bit irritated when people were mistaking me for Ibrahim Taiwo. I did not enter the civil war until Onitsha was captured.
“My civil war front line engagement was when we were consolidating on the Mid-West and Onitsha as an organised military formation. So there was no real battle engagement except when we were in defence of Onitsha. In the Mid-West, we were also consolidating and ensuring that the political integrity of there was maintained.
“So I don’t know where this story about massacre started, but I hear that as part of war efforts. We were in relationship with sympathetic heroes to the Biafran troops, who were causing an alarming fear of losing the front of the division in Onitsha and ensuring that they were not cut off from the Mid-West and the rest of the command logistics chain to Lagos.
“We had a process for the war. Some saboteurs who were sympathetic to the other side were rounded up and shot. I read in some books that in the process there were people who were in an American Catholic school or so, and those who were in the environs were making life really containable for the division.
“I am talking about what I heard and read, I was not there, I was not a witness. The troops were not in my command. Our orders and operations were very clear – consolidating the military command in the Mid-West and ensuring that we did not lose ground in Onitsha while the main thrust into the Biafran area was going on.”
ASABA NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK: ART EXHIBITION 2021.
The Asaba National Memorial Park Project was conceived to remember the tragic events of early October 1967 when a large number of Nigerian citizens, mainly men and boys in Asaba were killed by federal forces during the Nigerian Civil War.
Largely forgotten, this incident has remained in the contemporary memory of Asaba people, who suffered the loss of close relatives: fathers, husbands, brothers and sons.
Over time, there has been a concerted effort to bring this event to the fore, by carefully gathering accounts from surviving eyewitnesses and public records. Primarily, the work of Late Chief Emma Okocha (Blood on the Niger) and Professors Elizabeth Bird and Fraser Ottanelli (The Asaba Massacre: Trauma, Memory, and the Nigerian Civil War) have placed a spotlight on the events.
Lawyer, activist and entrepreneur Chuck Nduka-Eze proposed the establishment of a memorial park and museum in Asaba to permanently acknowledge this tragedy, with a memorial forest of a thousand trees to be planted to honour each of the known victims.
Art and culture are seen as vehicles best equipped to enrich the process of memory reconstruction, adding narrative and interpretive layers which speak to wider issues of loss, pain, memory, forgiveness, fragmentation and unity.
Through the Asaba National Memorial Park 2021 Art Exhibition,
Mr Nduka-Eze is inviting a group of artists to contribute work exploring themes around: conflict (the Nigerian Civil War specifically), loss, pain, memory, forgiveness, fragmentation and unity.
Acceptable work might range from existing paintings, sculpture, poetry and literature. Artists are required to submit examples of work for review by the committee. Some can be works deemed as a loan to the project: whilst others can be donated to assist with fundraising for the development of the national park.
Visit to the Asagba’s Palace by the Vice President of Nigeria, on the 29th of November 2021
The Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Professor Yemi Osinbajo, today paid a courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba. He was accompanied by the Governor of Delta State and the Governor of Bayelsa State.
The VP is in town to commission a new secretariat built by the Delta State government. The secretariat is named after Asagba Professor Chike Edozien.
Receiving the visitors, Asagba reiterated the community’s request for a Federal University as compensation for the 1967 Asaba massacre.
HE Professor Osinbajo said it was important that Nigerians who have made invaluable contributions outside government should be appropriately recognised and honoured. He thanked the State Governor for honouring Asagba.
Leroy C Edozien
Ubili Ka Nkwu Ahaba
Asagba urges Nigeria to ‘own’ Asaba massacre 54 years after.
The monarch stated this on Sunday during the two-day Asaba Massacre Annual Memorial Anniversary at the Asagba’s palace.
He said, “Time has come for Nigeria to remember what happened in Asaba during the war on October 1967.
1967 massacre: Asaba community seeks national monument for fallen kinsmen
Credit: Paul Osuyi (The Sun newspaper)
The scars are still visible, and the emotional and psychological trauma have refused to go. Every October, forlorn faces and heart-rending speeches signpost the 54-year-old holocaust at a memorial anniversary.
The people of Asaba, west of the majestic Niger River and capital of present-day Delta State, still mourn. Fifty-four years ago, on October 7,
Ex-Nigerian envoy in UN seeks virtues from 1967 Asaba massacre
Credit: Monday Osayande (Guardian Newspaper)
As indigenes of Asaba in Oshimili South Council of Delta State, marked the anniversary of October 1967 massacre during the Nigeria Civil War, a former permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), Prof. Joy Ogwu, has advocated fresh reawakening and consciousness that will bring virtues from the disaster.
ASABA MASSACRE: Indigenes demand establishment of Federal Varsity
Credit: Festus Ahon (Vanguard Newspaper)
THE people of Asaba, Delta State, Saturday, decried the October 7,1967 massacre of their indigenes, calling on the Federal Government to establish a university in the capital city as part of measures to compensate for the genocide committed against them during the Nigerian civil war.
Let’s rebuild together to honour our fallen heroes
For more Information
Email: info@asabamemorialmonument.org
contact@asabamemorialmonument.org
Palace: Asagba’s Palace, Umuezei Quarters
Asaba, Delta State
Members of the 2021 Memorial Monument Committee
Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze – Isama Ajie of Asaba, Chairman
Chief (Dr) Ben Okonta, The Ojiba of Asaba.
Prof (Dr) Victor Izegbu
Ogbueshi Chike Ogeah
Ogbueshi Ken Odogwu
Ms Ngozi Edozien
Ogbueshi Uche Nwanze, The Onoi of Asaba
