The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has through a post made on X (formerly Twitter), asked the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to shift its examinations scheduled to hold on May 30, which is the day earmarked for Movement’s ‘Biafra Day’ in the Southeast.
IPOB had also in the same press release, asked the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka to postpone its convocation scheduled for that same day.
According to Emma Powerful, the spokesman of IPOB, there would be a sit-at-home on May 30 to celebrate the Biafra Day and as such, WAEC should not endanger the lives of children because that day was not safe for any individual in the Southeast.
The IPOB spokesman had made the call in an open letter to the WAEC Board and UNIZIK Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone.
What They’re Saying:
Parts of the letter read,
“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.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 Biafra Land.”
“If you consider yourself a Biafran, you ought to know that 30th of May is 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 aside 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 nor human/vehicular movement is expected to happen 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.”
The only exception to the movement rule was for those on essential or emergency services such as health workers, ambulance, Fire Service, filling stations, hospitals etc.
What It Means
IPOB’s call for WAEC and NAU to postpone their scheduled activity raises critical questions about balancing academic and cultural obligations.
While the Biafra Heroes Day is a day of remembrance and reflection for the Biafran community, and its observance is an act of cultural preservation and respect, the practical implications of this request cannot be overlooked.
Halting/shifting major academic events like exams and convocations disrupts carefully planned schedules and impacts students’ academic progress and institutional operations. Such changes require extensive coordination and could have far-reaching consequences for the academic calendar, especially for the WAEC exam which is not only written by Nigerians, but other African countries as well.
Additionally, IPOB’s sit-at-home directive raises safety concerns. The warning against public movement on May 30th suggests potential risks for those who might not comply. While IPOB assures it will not enforce the directive, it is implied that there might be possible unrest or tension, which could endanger public safety and create an atmosphere of fear. This warning also hampers on the human right to freedom of movement.
Bottom Line
Only time will tell if the educational bodies will comply with IPOB’s request or not.
