ENUGU— A prominent pan-Igbo organization, the Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, has urged Ndigbo, churches, government parastatals, town hall unions and other relevant bodies to designate May 30 of every year as the Igbo national day in honour and remembrance of victims of pro-independence war that broke out in 1967.
ADF, in a press statement tagged “May 30 As Igbo National/Biafra Remembrance Day,” and jointly signed by its President, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala and Secretary, Prof. Nath Aniekwu, the Igbo think tank group, said Ndigbo should not bother whether the Nigerian Government agrees with its yearnings to set apart May 30 as its national day, but should be observed as a symbol of national consciousness, unity and solidarity.
The Igbo group said the mode of celebration of the remembrance day would be determined accordingly through public lectures, rallies, symposia, sit-at-home exercises and other civil methods, urging the public, government and relevant stakeholders to honour the endorsement.
Part of the statement read, “ADF is aware that several groups, organizations and individuals have annually been celebrating this auspicious day in our history as a Remembrance Day in one form or the other. Many religious groups and several Pan-Igbo organizations, including Pro-Biafra organizations such as Ekwenche, MASSOB, IPOB, Coalition of Pro-Biafra Groups, etc, have been celebrating this for some years.
“ADF is of the view we as a people should collectively do this in remembrance and honour of the millions of our brothers and sisters who died for our sake, as well in honour of several nationalities and their Governments, Churches, Humanitarian Organizations and heroic individuals including those who burnt themselves for the sake of our liberty, we should hold May 30 as a Solemn Day in our history. We do this also for the sake of our National Consciousness, Solidarity and Unity as well as for our unity with all our neighbours who suffered with us and still believe in the unity and progress of our region.
“Ndigbo, do not bother whether the Nigerian Federal Government aligns itself or not with the yearning of the Igbo for May 30 as their National Day, otherwise called BIAFRA DAY. It is a call made entirely in the interest of our Regional Unity and Solidarity.
“The mode of celebration will certainly be determined accordingly. Activities such as free Sit-At-Home, holiday for workers, Public Lectures and Symposia, Rallies, Wearing of Black or Red Bands, etc, can be defined as forms of the Remembrance Day celebrations.
“We shall formally address this appeal to all Governments, Churches, State Assemblies, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Clan and Town Union and other bodies for their endorsement of this call.
“We are addressing it to you individually as major voices in our land. Please give this call your endorsement and push for its actualization.”
Chukwuemeka Chimerue
