In a statement released on Sunday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denounced ongoing efforts to rename May 30 traditionally observed as Biafra Heroes Day as “Igbo Day.
” The group described the move as a deliberate act of dishonour to the millions who perished during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) and accused unnamed “politically motivated opportunists” of attempting to rewrite history.
IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, insisted that May 30 remains a sacred date set aside to honour Biafran heroes and martyrs, not just from the Igbo ethnic group, but from a coalition of ethnic nationalities including the Annang, Ibibio, Efik, Oron, Ijaw, and others who stood united during the war.
“Biafra is larger than any single ethnic group,” Powerful said. “Our martyrs hailed from various nationalities that stood shoulder-to-shoulder when the world turned its back on us.”
The group condemned the proposed renaming as a distortion of history and an affront to the collective sacrifice of Biafra’s fallen.
Describing it as an act of “historical ignorance,” IPOB warned against marginalizing the broader Biafran identity and struggle by reducing it to a singular ethnic narrative.
To mark the 2025 Biafra Heroes Day, IPOB has announced a sit-at-home observance on May 30 across all Biafran territories and in the diaspora.
The commemorative events will include prayers, lectures, and candlelight vigils to honour the lives lost.
IPOB insists that the legacy of Biafra must be preserved in its entirety, warning that any attempts to dilute its meaning will be met with resistance.
