In an open letter addressed to Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Board, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for the postponement of the university’s convocation ceremony and WAEC examinations scheduled for May 30th, 2024.
Led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB emphasized the significance of May 30th as Biafra Heroes Day, a day of remembrance and honour for fallen heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives during the Nigerian – Biafran War from 1967 to 1970.
The letter, signed by IPOB’s spokesman, Comrade Emma Powerful, implores both UNIZIK and WAEC to recognize the solemnity of the occasion and reschedule their events out of respect for the Biafra Heroes Day commemoration.
IPOB emphasized that May 30th is observed as a public holiday in Biafra Land, with citizens participating in a sit-at-home protest to honour the memory of those who lost their lives.
IPOB warned of the potential dangers of holding public events on Biafra Heroes Day, citing the significance of the occasion and the need for all Biafrans to observe the day in reflection and remembrance.
The organization emphasized that endangering the lives of individuals, especially school children scheduled to take WAEC exams, would be unacceptable.
Furthermore, IPOB underscored the cultural and historical importance of May 30th to the Biafran people, urging both UNIZIK and WAEC to demonstrate sensitivity and understanding by rescheduling their events to a more appropriate date.
As the people prepare to commemorate this significant day, IPOB’s plea for the postponement of events highlights the ongoing struggle for recognition and remembrance of Biafra’s fallen heroes and the collective memory of their sacrifice.
Read the letter in full below:
IPOB WRITES AN OPEN LETTER TO NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY VC AND WAEC BOARD TO POSTPONE THE 30TH MAY CONVOCATION AND WAEC EXAMS ON THAT DAY.
Dear Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone
Vice Chancellor,
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Awka, UNIZIK Anambra State:
The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by the indomitable leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been drawn to your proposed University’s convocation date on 30th May, 2024 and WAEC examinations to Kindly reschedule your convocation and exams 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.
Dear VC and WAEC board,
If you consider yourself a Biafra, you ought to know that the 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 honour 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 for 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 the 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’s 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.
The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University must not provoke IPOB. We do not take it kindly with people desecrating the memory of our heroes and heroines.
IPOB calls on the students, the parents, the guests, and visitors to UNIZIK’s convocation ceremony scheduled for May 30th to apply caution and avoid being on the road the day Biafrans are mourning their dead if the University goes ahead with the plans. Safety is an individual responsibility. Don’t endanger yourself for an hour-long ceremony. In the past, Nigeria Security Forces and their collaborators have killed and set some cars ablaze of those found on the road any time IPOB calls for sit-at-home just to blackmail IPOB. Don’t be a victim.
IPOB is, therefore, warning all the persons and institutions paid to insult and desecrate the memories of our fallen heroes that their sponsors will not be there to save them when the rain starts falling on them. Those who have sabotaged their stock in trade will be collectively and individually held to account. IPOB is not Umunna meeting or community meeting to be toyed with. As much as we care we also bite.
UNIZIK MANAGEMENT AND WAEC BOARD BE WARNED!!!
COMRADE EMMA POWERFUL, MEDIA AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY FOR IPOB