𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐮’𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲… “𝐌𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞”

“Mistakes are always forgiveable if one has the courage to admit them”, David Blunkett, former UK Home Secretary.
A leaked audio about the Vice Chancellor and Principal of MMTU (Milton Margai Technical University), Prof. Philip John Kanu, venting out an angry emotion against some members of the Mende tribe went viral on social media last week. The hurt created by the audio was not intentional. The intention was never to hurt anyone.
In a show of humility and contrition, Prof. Philip Kanu has acknowledged his fault and has sincerely apologized to those who felt offended by the unintended consequences of the content of the leaked audio. He has promised never to do it again.
Prof. Kanu has said openly in Freetown that he felt remorseful. At a public gathering of lecturers and students at the MMTU Goderich campus last week, Prof. Philip Kanu reiterated his sincere apology for his mistake and asked for forgiveness.
Even the Paramount Chiefs of Bombali district, travelled all the way from their various chiefdoms, to come down to Freetown to beg for the mistake made by their illustrious son. They have met with the Mende Tribal Headman in the Western Area, Chief Mathew Jibao Young and apologized for and on behalf of Prof. Kanu for the mistake he made last week by criticizing some members of the Mende tribe.
Prof. Kanu said that he deeply regrets those remarks and described them as “unfortunate utterances”. He has met with some of the aggrieved individuals either privately or collectively to apologise to them. They have agreed that, that is the right thing to do-to apologise for the mistake.
Prof. Kanu has repeatedly said that, he values his relationship with the President and his spouse and does not want to do anything that could jeopardise that relationship. He says he considers President Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio as his greatest benefactor.
Prof. Kanu’s support for and membership of the SLPP remains cast-iron. He has been one of the greatest supporters of the SLPP in the North. His support for the party is constant like the proverbial Northern Star. He hails from a strong and prominent SLPP supporting family in Bombali district. His support for the party cuts across the country. He is a rising star of the party in the Northern Region. He is married to a Mende woman from Kailahun and Moyamba.
Prof. Philip Kanu has acknowledged his mistake and has sincerely apologized. SLPP should not throw the baby out with the bathwater. It is time to draw a line under this and move on. Prof. Philip Kanu has broad shoulders and a golden heart. There are few Philip Kanus in the SLPP. He has a Tiger heart. He is very generous and very helpful. He deserves a second chance! Prof. Kanu has made it very clear that, his intention was not to hurt anyone. He has admitted his mistake and has apologized publicly. Let us draw a line under this and move on. After all, to err is human and to forgive is divine.
Thank you so very much!