KEYNOTE ADDRESS PRESENTED BY MAZI EMEKA GIFT,THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA (IPOB),COTE D'IVOIRE
ON THE OCCASION OF BIAFRA HEROES/HEROINES REMEMBRANCE DAY CELEBRATION,
THIS WEDNESDAY 30TH MAY, 2018.
The Supreme Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,
The Deputy Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide, Mazi Uchenna Okafor Mefor,
The Head of Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide, Mazi Chika Edoziem,
The African Representative of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi George Onyeibe,
The National Patron of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), His Excellency, Henri Konan Bédié,
The National Coordinators of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),
The Regional Coordinators of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),
The State/Provincial Coordinators of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),
The Zonal Coordinators of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),
All members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) family zones in Cote D'Ivoire, Other Biafrans here present,
Respected citizens of Cote D'Ivoire here present,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon to you all and welcome to this great and very unique occasion!
PROLOGUE:
Today marks yet another historical edition of Biafra Heroes/Heroines Remembrance Day. It is a day exceptionally set aside by family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) globally, under the supreme command of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for the remnants of the people of Biafra scattered all over the world, to commemorate our fallen Heroes and Heroines who gave their lives unreservedly, for the preservation of our lives today.
Recall that after the genocidal war levied against Biafrans by the Nigerian government, fully backed by Britain, Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), Egypt, amongst other Islamic allies from 1967 to 1970, where over 3.5 million innocent Biafrans were gruesomely massacred, women and children inclusive who were mercilessly killed through the weapon of starvation, no tribal group in Biafraland be it Igbo, Ijaw, Efik, Ibibio, Ogoni or any other amongst over 70 such tribes within the territory, was able to courageously fashion out an acceptable date for the remembrance of our dead.
The urgency for a choice date for this purpose, thereby jolted the indomitable leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra worldwide, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to map out 30th of May on annual basis with overwhelming support of Biafrans globally, as our day to reflect on the priceless sacrifices our people made in defense of their fatherland from total extermination as planned by the then Nigerian military administration.
For the information of those of us here especially our distinguished guests who may not have been fully acquainted with the history of the nation of Biafra, I am delighted to give you the following accounts. BIAFRA is an ancient nation comprising exclusively, indigenous people at the trigger part of the African continent, lying left and right of the delta of River Niger in the West African sub-region, near the Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean.
The territories of Biafra stretches from the plains of Agbor-Abavo, Idoma and Igalalands at the Northern axis, down to the gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean. Biafran territories are presently under the occupational government of Nigeria, with the exclusion of Bakassi peninsula which the International Court of Justice by it's kangaroo ruling in the year 2002, was ceded to La Republic Du Cameroon.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
We must not forget that on the 30th of May 1967, the Western World recognized the sovereignty of Biafra which was declared by the first Biafran Head of State, in the person of General Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, of blessed memory. The nation of Biafra brutally lost her ancient/indigenous political sovereignty after the conquest of the British colonialists-led invasion carried out against our forefathers in the year, 1904 after which was the establishment of the Southern Protectorate. This was merged subsequently with much older Northern Protectorate to form an entity (contraption) christened Nigeria in the year, 1914. 30th of May 1967 marked the genesis of gruesome massacres being steadily carried out against the people of Biafra till date. Since 2014, when the Heroes and Heroines Remembrance Day commenced with a rally in Enugu (Biafraland), we have invariably, had five editions of this commemoration.
EXPECTATIONS OF 2018 EDITION
The expectations from this year's Biafra Heroes/Heroines Remembrance Day hinges on the full participation of every Biafran and all lovers of freedom all over the world, to conscientiously call to mind, the invaluable sacrifices made by our dead. None of us having realized the enormous prices these men, women and children paid even at the expense of their lives and comforts, will avoid fully identifying with the events mapped out today to accord our fallen brethren befitting commemoration.
We therefore should not trifle with their contributions put on the line to help preserve our inheritance and identity. It is therefore honorable to appropriately remember this day all those who died on our behalf, staking their lives against the superior firepower of the British-backed Nigerian armed forces of General Yakubu Gowon. This was a war orchestrated to totally wipe out the entire Biafran populace.
As we are all gathered here in this rally, there is a total lockdown of activities back home in all the states/provinces in Biafraland and elsewhere in Nigeria, occasioned by "Sit-At-Home" exercise as ordered by the IPOB leadership. Biafrans in the United States of America, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Israel, Russia, China and over 120 other countries of the world, are also observing this Biafran Heroes and Heroines Remembrance Day. Allowing the political uncertainties in Nigeria to shift our attention from this major annual event in our lives as Biafrans, then will make us the most wicked beings in human history.
SOME OF OUR FALLEN HEROES WORTH REMEMBERING
In as much as we value all the Biafran Heroes and Heroines who unreservedly laid down their lives that we may live, including the uncountable number of deaths of IPOB family members particularly in the hands of the agents of the Nigerian government, as being recorded in the renewed struggle for the restoration of Biafra, we must not fail to mention the names of these Biafran warriors. We very sincerely appreciate our gallant military officers who defiantly fought for us during the genocidal war. Such includes:
* General Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu
* General Philip Effiong
* General Alexander Madiebo
*Captain Ben Gbulie
*Brigadier Timothy Onwuatuegu
*Colonel Joe Achuzie
*Captain Willy Murray-Bruce
*Admiral Anuku and a host of others. Their immeasurable sacrifices gave birth to the present generation of Biafrans.
Other civilization Heroes of note include:
* Pa Frank Opigo
* Matthew Mbu
* Professor Chinua Achebe
* Chief Okokon Ndem
* Pa Nnanna Godspower Awee
* Christopher Okigbo amongst others.
Worthy of mention also, are a couple of the present generation of Biafran youths who equally are made priceless sacrifices for the freedom of their own people and the total liberation of their fatherland. Such personalities include the victims (lifeless bodies) of the Ezu River Nigerian police massacre who were members of Movement for the Actualisation for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
Others are the IPOB victims of the black Sunday bloody massacre, IPOB family members massacred at the National High School in Aba, Biafran Heroes' Remembrance Day massacre at Nkpor, Igweocha IPOB/ Donald Trump's Inauguration Solidarity Rally that recorded another grade of gruesome massacre. The killings of Biafran youths assumed an alarming rate from 1999 and yet ongoing.
Heroes and heroines worthy also of our remembrance today, are the Biafran restoration agitators who were maimed are yet in different homes/hospitals treating their wounds and those being held extra-judicially incarcerated without trials in different Nigerian prisons and security detention cells. Such individuals include Benjamin Mmadubugwu, David Nwawuisi, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Bright Chimezie Ishinwa and many others are yet variously being held incommunicado across Nigeria.
WHAT BIAFRA HEROES REMEMBRANCE DAY MEANS TO US
The people of Biafra scattered all the globe are presently taking the annual events of 30th of May, as very pivotal ostensibly because of it's significance to our history as a people on the match to total political emancipation. Many of our fellow citizens have gone in this struggle and our penchant for political freedom remains uncompromiseable.
Most of these fallen heroes and heroines died screaming and shouting with bullet and matchet wounds "Make sure you get Biafra for me ooooooo". If therefore we renege in our solemn oath as administered with, just because the journey seems tough and long, we betray the thousands who handed the baton of the struggle over to us before they gallantly passed on.
To Biafrans in every nook and cranny of the world, the 30th of May date which is our annual remembrance day for all our heroes and heroines, remains sacrosanct and means a lot to us as a people. If the Jews can continue the remembrance of the holocaust of 1945, we the people of Biafra definitely have no choice than to keep a date for our fallen heroes. What 30th of May Remembrance Day means to us, is exactly what St. Patrick's Day Celebration means to the people of the Republic of Ireland. We will continue to celebrate our Heroes and Heroines Remembrance Day annually until the end of history.
OUR REQUEST
We very sincerely want to use this opportunity to call on all the people of good conscience all over the world, to assist us in persuading their respective home governments to lend their support to the Biafra restoration effort for her suspended/lost sovereignty as a nation during the Biafra/Nigeria war between 1967 and 1970.
To God be all the thanks and praises that our National Patron is a very respected erstwhile President of Cote D'Ivoire, who witnessed the war levied against the Biafran people. We respectfully call on him to employ his International influence to lobby at every front for the support of Biafra restoration. It has become obvious that many world powers are yet backing Nigeria in her oppressive policies in Biafraland. It will demand an equal and more potent measure of commensurate actions for all lovers of freedom to canvas maximum support for Biafra political sovereignty. A sovereign Biafra is a ready and willing ally to any progressive nation in global development.
EPILOGUE
We, the people of Biafra should realize that the global community is consciously taking record of all our activities geared towards the restoration of our fatherland. Therefore, we must note that the Biafra Heroes and Heroines Remembrance Day is a very significant ingredient in our struggle which must not be compromised. As we get back to our respective provinces, we must intensify our campaign efforts for the restoration project until eventually realized.
Conclusively, we must understand that the greatest honor we must give to our heroes and heroines is to ensure that their desire for the unfettered restoration of Biafra is fully achieved as this is the only thing that will grant them unhindered rest in their graves.
God bless you all and thank you so very much for your attention. Do have a pleasant day ahead!
Emeka Gift IPOB National Coordinator
Cote D'Ivoire.
ON THE OCCASION OF BIAFRA HEROES/HEROINES REMEMBRANCE DAY CELEBRATION,
THIS WEDNESDAY 30TH MAY, 2018.
The Supreme Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,
The Deputy Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide, Mazi Uchenna Okafor Mefor,
The Head of Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide, Mazi Chika Edoziem,
The African Representative of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi George Onyeibe,
The National Patron of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), His Excellency, Henri Konan Bédié,
The National Coordinators of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),
The Regional Coordinators of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),
The State/Provincial Coordinators of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),
The Zonal Coordinators of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),
All members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) family zones in Cote D'Ivoire, Other Biafrans here present,
Respected citizens of Cote D'Ivoire here present,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon to you all and welcome to this great and very unique occasion!
PROLOGUE:
Today marks yet another historical edition of Biafra Heroes/Heroines Remembrance Day. It is a day exceptionally set aside by family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) globally, under the supreme command of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for the remnants of the people of Biafra scattered all over the world, to commemorate our fallen Heroes and Heroines who gave their lives unreservedly, for the preservation of our lives today.
Recall that after the genocidal war levied against Biafrans by the Nigerian government, fully backed by Britain, Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), Egypt, amongst other Islamic allies from 1967 to 1970, where over 3.5 million innocent Biafrans were gruesomely massacred, women and children inclusive who were mercilessly killed through the weapon of starvation, no tribal group in Biafraland be it Igbo, Ijaw, Efik, Ibibio, Ogoni or any other amongst over 70 such tribes within the territory, was able to courageously fashion out an acceptable date for the remembrance of our dead.
The urgency for a choice date for this purpose, thereby jolted the indomitable leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra worldwide, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to map out 30th of May on annual basis with overwhelming support of Biafrans globally, as our day to reflect on the priceless sacrifices our people made in defense of their fatherland from total extermination as planned by the then Nigerian military administration.
For the information of those of us here especially our distinguished guests who may not have been fully acquainted with the history of the nation of Biafra, I am delighted to give you the following accounts. BIAFRA is an ancient nation comprising exclusively, indigenous people at the trigger part of the African continent, lying left and right of the delta of River Niger in the West African sub-region, near the Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean.
The territories of Biafra stretches from the plains of Agbor-Abavo, Idoma and Igalalands at the Northern axis, down to the gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean. Biafran territories are presently under the occupational government of Nigeria, with the exclusion of Bakassi peninsula which the International Court of Justice by it's kangaroo ruling in the year 2002, was ceded to La Republic Du Cameroon.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
We must not forget that on the 30th of May 1967, the Western World recognized the sovereignty of Biafra which was declared by the first Biafran Head of State, in the person of General Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, of blessed memory. The nation of Biafra brutally lost her ancient/indigenous political sovereignty after the conquest of the British colonialists-led invasion carried out against our forefathers in the year, 1904 after which was the establishment of the Southern Protectorate. This was merged subsequently with much older Northern Protectorate to form an entity (contraption) christened Nigeria in the year, 1914. 30th of May 1967 marked the genesis of gruesome massacres being steadily carried out against the people of Biafra till date. Since 2014, when the Heroes and Heroines Remembrance Day commenced with a rally in Enugu (Biafraland), we have invariably, had five editions of this commemoration.EXPECTATIONS OF 2018 EDITION
The expectations from this year's Biafra Heroes/Heroines Remembrance Day hinges on the full participation of every Biafran and all lovers of freedom all over the world, to conscientiously call to mind, the invaluable sacrifices made by our dead. None of us having realized the enormous prices these men, women and children paid even at the expense of their lives and comforts, will avoid fully identifying with the events mapped out today to accord our fallen brethren befitting commemoration.
We therefore should not trifle with their contributions put on the line to help preserve our inheritance and identity. It is therefore honorable to appropriately remember this day all those who died on our behalf, staking their lives against the superior firepower of the British-backed Nigerian armed forces of General Yakubu Gowon. This was a war orchestrated to totally wipe out the entire Biafran populace.
As we are all gathered here in this rally, there is a total lockdown of activities back home in all the states/provinces in Biafraland and elsewhere in Nigeria, occasioned by "Sit-At-Home" exercise as ordered by the IPOB leadership. Biafrans in the United States of America, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Israel, Russia, China and over 120 other countries of the world, are also observing this Biafran Heroes and Heroines Remembrance Day. Allowing the political uncertainties in Nigeria to shift our attention from this major annual event in our lives as Biafrans, then will make us the most wicked beings in human history.
SOME OF OUR FALLEN HEROES WORTH REMEMBERING
In as much as we value all the Biafran Heroes and Heroines who unreservedly laid down their lives that we may live, including the uncountable number of deaths of IPOB family members particularly in the hands of the agents of the Nigerian government, as being recorded in the renewed struggle for the restoration of Biafra, we must not fail to mention the names of these Biafran warriors. We very sincerely appreciate our gallant military officers who defiantly fought for us during the genocidal war. Such includes:
* General Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu
* General Philip Effiong
* General Alexander Madiebo
*Captain Ben Gbulie
*Brigadier Timothy Onwuatuegu
*Colonel Joe Achuzie
*Captain Willy Murray-Bruce
*Admiral Anuku and a host of others. Their immeasurable sacrifices gave birth to the present generation of Biafrans.
Other civilization Heroes of note include:
* Pa Frank Opigo
* Matthew Mbu
* Professor Chinua Achebe
* Chief Okokon Ndem
* Pa Nnanna Godspower Awee
* Christopher Okigbo amongst others.
Worthy of mention also, are a couple of the present generation of Biafran youths who equally are made priceless sacrifices for the freedom of their own people and the total liberation of their fatherland. Such personalities include the victims (lifeless bodies) of the Ezu River Nigerian police massacre who were members of Movement for the Actualisation for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
Others are the IPOB victims of the black Sunday bloody massacre, IPOB family members massacred at the National High School in Aba, Biafran Heroes' Remembrance Day massacre at Nkpor, Igweocha IPOB/ Donald Trump's Inauguration Solidarity Rally that recorded another grade of gruesome massacre. The killings of Biafran youths assumed an alarming rate from 1999 and yet ongoing.
Heroes and heroines worthy also of our remembrance today, are the Biafran restoration agitators who were maimed are yet in different homes/hospitals treating their wounds and those being held extra-judicially incarcerated without trials in different Nigerian prisons and security detention cells. Such individuals include Benjamin Mmadubugwu, David Nwawuisi, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Bright Chimezie Ishinwa and many others are yet variously being held incommunicado across Nigeria.
WHAT BIAFRA HEROES REMEMBRANCE DAY MEANS TO US
The people of Biafra scattered all the globe are presently taking the annual events of 30th of May, as very pivotal ostensibly because of it's significance to our history as a people on the match to total political emancipation. Many of our fellow citizens have gone in this struggle and our penchant for political freedom remains uncompromiseable.
Most of these fallen heroes and heroines died screaming and shouting with bullet and matchet wounds "Make sure you get Biafra for me ooooooo". If therefore we renege in our solemn oath as administered with, just because the journey seems tough and long, we betray the thousands who handed the baton of the struggle over to us before they gallantly passed on.
To Biafrans in every nook and cranny of the world, the 30th of May date which is our annual remembrance day for all our heroes and heroines, remains sacrosanct and means a lot to us as a people. If the Jews can continue the remembrance of the holocaust of 1945, we the people of Biafra definitely have no choice than to keep a date for our fallen heroes. What 30th of May Remembrance Day means to us, is exactly what St. Patrick's Day Celebration means to the people of the Republic of Ireland. We will continue to celebrate our Heroes and Heroines Remembrance Day annually until the end of history.
OUR REQUEST
We very sincerely want to use this opportunity to call on all the people of good conscience all over the world, to assist us in persuading their respective home governments to lend their support to the Biafra restoration effort for her suspended/lost sovereignty as a nation during the Biafra/Nigeria war between 1967 and 1970.
To God be all the thanks and praises that our National Patron is a very respected erstwhile President of Cote D'Ivoire, who witnessed the war levied against the Biafran people. We respectfully call on him to employ his International influence to lobby at every front for the support of Biafra restoration. It has become obvious that many world powers are yet backing Nigeria in her oppressive policies in Biafraland. It will demand an equal and more potent measure of commensurate actions for all lovers of freedom to canvas maximum support for Biafra political sovereignty. A sovereign Biafra is a ready and willing ally to any progressive nation in global development.
EPILOGUE
We, the people of Biafra should realize that the global community is consciously taking record of all our activities geared towards the restoration of our fatherland. Therefore, we must note that the Biafra Heroes and Heroines Remembrance Day is a very significant ingredient in our struggle which must not be compromised. As we get back to our respective provinces, we must intensify our campaign efforts for the restoration project until eventually realized.
Conclusively, we must understand that the greatest honor we must give to our heroes and heroines is to ensure that their desire for the unfettered restoration of Biafra is fully achieved as this is the only thing that will grant them unhindered rest in their graves.
God bless you all and thank you so very much for your attention. Do have a pleasant day ahead!
Emeka Gift IPOB National Coordinator
Cote D'Ivoire.
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