Biafra Day: Group presses for May 30 as Memorial Day
By Dennis Agbo
The World Igbo Congress, WIC, has demanded that May 30 should be set aside as Nigeria’s Civil War Memorial Day in remembrance of all Nigerians who died as a result of the Nigeria/Biafra war fought between 1967 and 1970.
May 30 1967 was the day Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who was then the military Governor of Eastern Nigeria government, declared Biafra Republic’s secession from Nigeria as a result of political uprising in the country then.
May 30th had been dubbed “Biafra Day” by pro-Biafra groups who since 1999 renewed agitations for a restoration of the defunct Biafra republic that ceased to exist on January 12 1970 and have marked the day annually.
WIC Vice chairman, Hon. Basil Onwukwe who made the demand, on Tuesday, also disclosed that the group is mobilizing to conduct this year’s Biafran War memorial service on Thursday.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the WIC, Sir Festus Okere had directed the committee led by Onwukwe to mobilize Ndigbo in diaspora under the leaderships of Dr. Cyprian Osuoha of Michigan USA; Ambassador Rev. Paul Ndukwe in Canada; Barrister Austin Okeke in South Africa, and Silas Moneke in Australia, for the memorial service in all parts of the globe.
Onwukwe said that the theme of the service is “54 Years after the war, what has changed in Nigeria?” is to remember the ultimate price paid by Biafra heroes and heroines for the people of Eastern Nigeria to stay alive till date.
“The more we forget the memory of our colleagues who were involved in the Civil War, the more we create a perception of disrespect and dishonor not only for our fallen heroes and heroines but to the people who participated.
“As Ndigbo, we owe no apology to anyone for honoring our fallen Biafran Heroes and Heroines and we ask that you call into the program on the 30th May 2024 at 6.00 pm Alaigbo time. The most critical lesson for every Igbo person is to understand, that many died in the battlefield while standing up against the killing of Ndigbo for our way of life,” Onwukwe said.
Nostalgically, he recalled that a large majority died from starvation and kwashiorkor due to the blockade of the Biafran airspace and consequently the supply of food by charitable organizations such as the Red Cross, World Council of Churches, Caritas and other similar organizations.
“Though we have not lived nor achieved the dream for which they fought and died for us, we will however continue to press on for a better future for Ndigbo, no matter what it takes.
“The World Igbo Congress (WIC) therefore wishes to use this unique opportunity to call on the Federal government of Nigeria to declare the 30th of May a Memorial Day to honor all who died in the Nigeria Civil War.
“We understand that it was an unjust war and to Ndigbo, this declaration will bring closure to many who have not received a formal burial, as is usually done in many countries,” the Igbo dispora group demanded.
