The World Igbo Congress (WIC) is calling on the Nigerian government to declare May 30 as a national public holiday in honor of Biafra Day. This day is very important to the Igbo people and should be officially recognized.
WIC Chairman, Festus Okere, said that Igbos should never forget their traditions. He explained that every year on May 30, Igbos have the responsibility to gather and honor those who lost their lives during the Biafra conflict.
Okere shared this message on Friday during the WIC event for World Heroes and Heroines Memorial Day, which marked this year’s Biafra Day remembrance.
He emphasized that May 30 must always be observed as Biafra Memorial Day. Using a different name or ignoring it would mean not fulfilling their duty. He urged the Igbo people to respect this tradition and not take it lightly.
According to him, the Igbo community must come together on May 30 every year to remember those who died in the Biafra-Nigeria war that happened from May 1967 to January 1970.
He said the people who fought for Biafra showed great courage. They gave their lives to protect their land and fought bravely against injustice and oppression. They fought so that others could live in freedom.
WIC is strongly asking for a national holiday on May 30, just like how other countries remember their heroes. Okere said the memories of the fallen should remain in the hearts of Biafrans and be passed on to future generations.
Because history is not well taught in Nigerian schools anymore, WIC believes it’s now important for Igbos to share their own history. Okere called on Igbos to protect their freedom, their land, and the values their heroes died defending.
To help remember those who died, WIC is building projects like the Biafra Memorial Park, the Wall of Fame, and the Cenotaph. The team working on these projects will soon give an update on how far they’ve gone.
Okere ended by saying history tells the truth about what happened in the past and must not be forgotten. He warned that the terrible events of the civil war should never happen again. True freedom means having rights like free speech, safety, fair treatment, and justice for all.
He also reminded everyone to always remember the people who died protecting others. WIC will keep working to unite Igbos, support their projects, and speak up for their future.
