Izunwanne, a group of journalists of Southeast Nigeria extraction has advocated for the declaration of May 30 of every year as Igbo Day Celebration and public holiday in the Igbo language-speaking states and places of Nigeria.
The group has therefore presented the proposal before the Southeast Governors’ Forum via a letter it addressed to the Forum, headed by the governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi.
In a letter, jointly signed by the Chairman of IZUNWANNE, Abuchi Anuenyiagu and Secretary, Ngwuoke Ngwuoke, the group contended that May 30, 1966, has remained indelible on the psyche of every Igbo person as it reminds them of the events that led to the Nigerian-Biafran War of 1967 to 1970 in which millions of lives were lost with the Igbo suffering the greatest and worst casualties while also being displaced in their homelands and losing their jobs in the national civil and public services, as well as their businesses, properties and funds in the financial institutions.
“Many pan-Igbo groups and organisations have tried to institute one form of memorial or the other about May 30, but their efforts have not sufficiently succeeded in galvanising the entire Igbo Nation,” the group noted.
Izunwanne therefore recommended to the Southeast Governors Forum that May 30 be specially designated and observed by all Igbo States as Public Holiday to serve as a memorial day for the millions who died as a result of the 30-month fratricidal war and also a day to celebrate the Igbo nation as a whole.
“It is strongly recommended that the entire Igbo tribe, wherever they may be or are found, do make to observe and celebrate the day as a special day of Ndi Igbo,” Izunwanne stated.
To give legal backing to the suggestion, the group urged the Southeast Governors to send Executive Bills to their respective State Houses of Assembly to enact laws for the declaration of May 30 as Igbo Memorial Day.
