The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has formally called on the Nigerian government to declare May 30 a national holiday to commemorate Biafra Day and honor those who lost their lives during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war.

WIC Chairman Festus Okere made this appeal during the organization's World Heroes and Heroines Memorial Day event held on Friday to mark this year's Biafra Day remembrance. He emphasized that Ndigbo are duty-bound to gather annually on May 30 to honor Biafra's fallen heroes and heroines.

"World Igbo Congress must continue this annual occasion as BIAFRA MEMORIAL DAY. Any other title, than what it is, amounts to dereliction of responsibility, whether by default or culpable negligence. Ndi Igbo should never desecrate our generational customs," Okere stated.

He further explained the significance of the commemoration: "We, as a people, are duty-bound to assemble on every 30th of May, to remember and honor our heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate price, by sacrificing their lives to save you and I, during the Biafra-Nigeria war, May 1967 to January, 1970."

Preserving Historical Memory

Okere highlighted the importance of preserving the memory of those who fought during the war, describing them as exhibiting "acts of selfless bravery" in defending their homeland. "They fought courageously against oppression and tyranny. They fought for liberty, freedom, and justice. They fought a survival war for us to live," he said.

The WIC chairman also addressed concerns about the alleged suppression of history education in Nigeria, stating that it necessitates Igbos to "tell their own stories and resolve with courage and resilience, among other issues, to protect our liberty, our homeland, and uphold the values that our Heroes and Heroines unwaveringly fought and died."

He revealed that the organization is making progress on establishing a Memorial Park and Cenotaph, as well as a Biafra Memorial Wall of Fame and Honor, with updates expected from the committee overseeing the project.

Concluding his address, Okere emphasized the importance of remembering history while advocating for fundamental human rights: "The vivid traumatic experiences and the causes of the genocidal war should be avoided. Individual liberty is understood to mean fundamental rights of man, not savagery: It is freedom of expression, assembly and association without intimidation; protection of property and life without price; justice without purchase or delay."

"The World Igbo Congress will continue to bring Igbo together, mobilize, coordinate Igbo projects, and advocate for Ndu Ndi Igbo," he affirmed.