The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Anambra State against holding its convocation ceremony on May 30.
The day has been selected by the group for its Biafra Remembrance Day to honour Nigerians of South-East extraction killed during the 1967-70 civil war.
IPOB in an open letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK and the management of the West African Examination Council on Tuesday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, also warned the management of the examination body against holding its examinations on May 30 across the South-East states.
Declaring May 30 a sit-at-home day across the region, IPOB warned UNIZIK and WAEC not to endanger people’s lives by disobeying its order, stressing that UNIZIK and WAEC should reschedule their convocation and examinations to a new date “because 30th of May is the Biafra Heroes Day and a sit-at-home for all Biafrans in the Biafra Land”.
IPOB said, “If you consider yourself a Biafra, you ought to know that 30th of May is a Biafra Heroes Day. Nevertheless, we are reminding you and the University Management and WAEC board that May 30 of every year is a sacred day set outside to honour Biafra heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate prize and sacrifice for the survival of Biafrans.
“That day remains sacred and a day that Biafrans sit at home to remember and honour our heroes who fell during the Nigerian genocidal war against Biafrans between 1967 to 1970 until the present day the killing has not stopped.
“No public event is expected to take place in Biafra Land on this day. Biafra Heroes Day is a public holiday and a sit-at-home in Biafra Land for Biafrans in honor of our fallen heroes and heroines. All markets, schools, banks, government and private offices are expected to be under lock and key.
“Movement of persons and vehicles are not allowed except those on essential or emergency services such as health workers, ambulance, fire service, filling stations, hospitals, etc.
“West African examination WAEC board should not endanger the lives of small children because that day is not safe for any individual in Biafra territory; it is a day everybody stays indoors for those who paid ultimate sacrifice for us to live and they must reschedule the date to another day 30th of May is a Biafran Remembrance Day.
“If anything happens to these children they want to bring out that day, they will regret doing so.
“By this open letter, IPOB is calling on the Vice Chancellor and the Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka and any other people or group that scheduled any program for 30th May, 2024 to postpone their program.
“Biafra Heroes Day takes precedence over any program in Biafra Land on that day. However, if the Vice Chancellor and the Management of UNIZIK insist on having their convocation on 30th May, 2024 in disregard of Biafra fallen heroes and heroines, they have decided to spit on the graves of Biafra heroes and heroines and should be ready to take responsibility for whatever happens afterwards.
“IPOB will not enforce the 30th May sit-at-home but will also not take responsibility for whatever happens to the violators.
Credit: Saharareporters
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