Nigeria: Obiano's Olive Branch

11 August 2016
opinion

News reports were effusive in capturing the significant moment. This was how a leading daily celebrated it: "In what could be described as a surprise to all in attendance, Governor Obiano in a most humble manner apologised to his predecessor (Mr. Peter Obi) for any wrong he may have done him, prompting the former governor to approach him at the podium and embrace him. Together they knelt down before the altar and the Archbishop, Metropolitan Province of Onitsha, Most Reverend Valerian Okeke, prayed for them."

The epic event was on Tuesday August 2, 2016, at Christ the King's College (CKC) Onitsha, during the funeral mass for the late Reverend Father Nicholas Tagbo, who was the school's Principal for 18 years - from 1963 to 1972, and from 1976 to 1985. Both Willie Obiano and Peter Obi are CKC old boys who had drunk from the well of character and knowledge that was Father Tagbo. Archbishop Okeke remarked that, even in death, the departed educationist remained a bridge builder. It is this imperative of bridge building that prompted this article. Governor Obiano displayed exceptional grace by publicly apologising in a country where high public office often transformed incumbents into deities for whom the sheerest thought of offering apologies was infra dignitatem.

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