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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Thursday, 21 October, 2004, 11:28 GMT 12:28 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Slapped Nigerian senator forgives Mrs Anisu-lowo says it was a humiliating experience A Nigerian woman senator who was slapped by a male colleague has praised him for publicly apologising to her, saying it took "courage". Senator Isa Mohammed said sorry to Iyabo Anisu-lowo and "every citizen of Nigeria, especially our mothers". The hot-tempered senator, who initially denied hitting Mrs Anisu-lowo, has been suspended by the Senate for two weeks. Their heated exchange led to a media uproar with prominent women saying the slap was an affront to their dignity. 'No grudges' Despite putting the incident behind her, Mrs Anisu-lowo says it was still a humiliating experience at the time. "I felt terrible especially when I couldn't give him one back," she told the BBC's Network Africa programme. Had the "dirty slap" not happened in such a public place, she would have given as good as she got, she said. I, Isa Mohammed, hereby in the name of Almighty God, apologise to every citizen of Nigeria, especially our mothers Mrs Anisu-lowo, whose abrasive manner, correspondents say, has been known to rub colleagues up the wrong way before, heads a committee overseeing local government. Their row was reportedly over the allocation of the committee's money, but Mrs Anisu-lowo said it came down to the fact that "men don't normally want a woman to be their boss". "I'm just doing my duty and he's trying to show that he is bigger than me, despite the fact that I am his chairman," she explained. She said it was humiliating that the "four hefty men" around her had not "retaliated" on her behalf. But she says she bears no grudge and thanked her assailant for not only apologising but bringing family members, supporters and aides to the Senate to apologise on his behalf. In front of television cameras, Mr Mohammed had said he was saying sorry because he knew "the feelings of many Nigerians, especially women". Despite his apology, the senator was punished in a closed-door session for bringing the image of the Senate into disrepute. "I can't imagine a senator slapping another in public, even in private. It's even more serious because the victim is a woman," Senator Kola Awoke, who brought the motion before the house, told Nigeria's This Day newspaper. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectBakassi handover talks deadlockedEU envoy to pledge aid for DarfurDR Congo slams 'Tintin' ministerAfrica's big plan 'disappointing'UN urges end to Ugandan 'horror'Taylor aides' reprieve in LiberiaCharges over Nigerian coup plotSlapped Nigerian senator forgivesEthiopians given death sentencesMoroccans suffer from terror warZimbabwe releases apartheid spyLiberia school closes after riotsNigeria slams corruption ranking'Biggest' Africa HIV centre opensNigerian bishop's anger at churchTaking the pulse of GhanaSouth Africa's new multi-racial comedyCommission for Africa: African voicesShould radio phone-ins be banned?African elections: Your picturesSend us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedules  SEE ALSO: 'Foolish' Nigerian senate strike 01 Sep 04  |  Africa Nigerian minister tells of bribe 08 Oct 03  |  Africa Nigerian MPs curb sleaze body 08 May 03  |  Africa Analysis: Nigeria's battle against corruption 08 Jan 03  |  Africa Country profile: Nigeria 23 Apr 03  |  Country profiles RELATED BBC LINKS: Focus on Africa RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Nigerian Presidency Nigeria.com Olusegun Obasanjo The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW Bakassi handover talks deadlocked EU envoy to pledge aid for Darfur DR Congo slams 'Tintin' minister Africa's big plan 'disappointing' News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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