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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Igbo Group Hails Plateau Governor's Civil War Apology as 'Historic' Step for National Healing

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • An Igbo socio-cultural organization has praised Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his apology regarding the Nigerian Civil War.
  • The governor's apology, which described the war as a "tragic manipulation of citizens," has been called courageous and timely for national healing.
  • While some stakeholders criticized the governor's remarks, the Igbo group emphasized the apology's significance for reconciliation across ethnic divides.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has received commendation from the Izu Umunna Cultural Association (IUCA), an Igbo socio-cultural organization, for his apology concerning the Nigerian Civil War. The governor's gesture has been hailed as courageous, healing, and timely for a nation still navigating ethnic mistrust.

During a recent meeting with Igbo leaders from Plateau State, Mutfwang urged them to move past the conflict and continue contributing to Nigeria's development. He characterized the war as a "tragic manipulation of citizens" and expressed regret, stating, "We have become one family because our people were deceived into going to war, and we regret it. We must close that chapter and move forward."

We have become one family because our people were deceived into going to war, and we regret it. We must close that chapter and move forward.

— Caleb MutfwangPlateau State Governor, apologizing for the Nigerian Civil War.

However, Mutfwang's remarks drew criticism from some Plateau stakeholders, including former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung and former Information Commissioner Dan Manjang, who felt the governor unfairly assigned blame to Plateau people. The Hausa community also called for a similar apology regarding indigene-ship issues.

The apology couldn’t have come at a better time.

— Izu Umunna Cultural AssociationDescribing the significance of Governor Mutfwang's apology for national reconciliation.

Despite the criticism, the IUCA, in a statement signed by its President Jerry Egede and Secretary Jude Owuamanam, lauded the apology as a significant step toward national healing. The organization noted that Nigeria urgently needs reconciliation and described the civil war as "a scar in the psyche of every Igbo man," lamenting the lack of courage from previous national leaders to accept responsibility.

The IUCA highlighted the particular significance of Mutfwang's apology due to the Middle Belt's prominent role in the war. The organization pledged its "unwavering support" to the governor's administration and encouraged Igbo residents on the Plateau to maintain peaceful relations and support government development programs.

If they say it wasn’t his place to offer the apology, who else would?

— Izu Umunna Cultural AssociationHighlighting the importance of the governor's apology given the Middle Belt's role in the war.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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