The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has urged the Nigerian government to officially proclaim May 30 as a national holiday to commemorate Biafra Day. Festus Okere, Chairman of WIC, emphasized that the Igbo people have a generational duty to honor the fallen heroes and heroines of the Biafra-Nigeria war annually on this date.
Speaking during the WIC World Heroes and Heroines Memorial Day event on May 30, Okere stated that the sacrifices made by those who fought between 1967 and 1970 should never be forgotten or diminished. He described the day as a solemn occasion to remember acts of bravery in the fight against oppression and for liberty, freedom, and justice.
Okere stressed that the Biafra Memorial Day must be preserved as such, warning against any attempts to rename or diminish its significance. He highlighted ongoing efforts by WIC to establish a Memorial Park, Cenotaph, and Biafra Memorial Wall of Fame and Honor to enshrine the memory of the fallen.
The World Igbo Congress also condemned the suppression of historical narratives in Nigeria and called on Igbos to courageously tell their own stories to protect their heritage and rights.
Okere concluded by reaffirming WIC’s commitment to mobilize and coordinate Igbo projects and advocacy to honor the legacy of those who sacrificed their lives during the war.
