Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra and his predecessor, Mr Peter Obi on Wednesday sheathe their swords at the burial service for late Rev. Fr. Nicholas Tagbo, who died at 86.
Obiano unbelievably begged Obi for forgiveness while addressing guests and dignitaries who graced the occasion in Onitsha.
The governor said the virtue of forgiveness instilled in him by the late Tagbo made him to ask Obi for forgiveness.
He said Obi had contributed to the development of the state and it was left for the people to judge him (Obiano) for the much work he has done so far.
“As a student of Christ the King College (CKC), we give the best to anything we do and not half measure.
“We want peace, love, unity and progress in Anambra state,” Obiano said.
The governor assured the people of the state of more developmental projects.
In a remark, Obi, who expressed shock said since Obiano had asked for forgiveness, he would not relent to forgive him.
According to him, the overall interest of the state supersedes personal interests.
Obi said it was for the good of the state that they collaborate in moving the state forward.
The former governor, who is also an old boy of the school, described Tagbo as a core educationist who was faithful to his duty and loved by all.
The duo, whose relationship got sour three months after Obiano was sworn-in as governor in March 2014; however embraced to end the long feud.
In a message to the family of the deceased, President Muhammadu Buhari represented by Sen. Mike Ajegbo, described Tagbo as the “principal of all principals who nurtured three governors, senators, judges, and great men.”
Buhari said late Tagbo left in blaze of glory many legacies.
Earlier in a sermon, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese and Ecclesiastical Province, urged all to live honest lives.
Okeke, an old boy of the college, described Tagbo as a “man with great strength of character, credibility, integrity and honour.”
“He represented love, unity and discipline,” Okeke said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other old boys of the college who attended the burial mass included Prof. Pat Utomi and the Chief Judge of Anambra, Justice Peter Umeadi, among others.
NAN reports that Tagbo, who died on July 2 at St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha, was the first indigenous Principal of CKC, Onitsha.
Tagbo, who hailed from Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra, was a member of CKC class of 1949, resumed as the first African Principal of his Alma Mater in 1963 and from 1976 to 1985.
The late icon will be buried on Aug. 4, after a requiem mass at the Basilica, Onitsha.
