Ochereome Nnanna, the Vanguard newspaper columnist who slandered the Yorubas on Facebook last Friday, has appealed to all Yoruba people to forgive and forget his indiscretion for comments he made on social media.
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Nnanna referred to the Yorubas as “Sophisticated Morons” while reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s conferment of GCFR on late MKO Abiola, winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
In a statement, the chairman of Vanguard’s editorial board, said, “I wish to humbly appeal to all Yoruba people to please forgive and forget my indiscretion on my Facebook comment on Friday, 9th June 2018 which, understandably sparked off widespread outrage.
"I never imagined in my wildest dream that an offhand remark could provoke an anger of volcanic dimension which has threatened my career and Vanguard Newspapers as an institution.
“ The offensive comment did not come out the way I intended it - as familial joke - but as an adult I am solely responsible for the outcome. One moment of madness has threatened my 29 years of living and working in Lagos during which I have made friends from all ethnic groups, and not among the least the Yorubas. I sincerely regret this unfortunate incident.
“I must say that the indiscretion was not done at the behest, or on behalf of, Vanguard Newspapers. That is why I have serially issued my heartfelt apologies to my Yoruba compatriots both as a group and personally to those whose contacts I possess.
" Happily, almost all of them have shown uncommon understanding because they know me very well and have followed my work as a journalist closely.
“Nothing could be further from the wrong notion of "ethnic hatred" some have ascribed to me. I have enjoyed mutually beneficial relationships with people of Yoruba ethnic stock as with a cross-section of other Nigerians, both high and low.
"This is probably not the forum to go into details on this because of space constraints. Therefore my apology is total and without reservations,” he pleaded.
He however took the blame over his failure to realise the damage that his careless and irresponsible comment could cause. He disclosed that the action was a big eye-opener and lesson to him, regretting the trauma that his action caused everybody.
He further said, “I am willing to play any role required of me to end this matter peacefully and promote understanding. I have learned my lessons and I am eager to prove that I have no hatred for any group whatsoever, not least the Yoruba ethnic group.
" Their generosity of heart has promoted the corporate existence of Nigeria and provided all Nigerians and even foreigners a condusive environment for self-actualisation," he stated remorsefully.
According to him, the offensive post had been retracted , adding that the comment, neither represents what the illustrious Yoruba nation stands for nor my perception of them.
He also appealed to all his my friends, kith and kin to join him in his efforts to restore confidence, mutual respect and love which were affected by his comment.
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