Anambra state Government has declared
Monday, January 12 a public holiday. This
was in response to several agitations by
groups and well-meaning people of the
South East to give a befitting burial to all
Biafra soldiers and civilians who died as a
result of the brutal civil war that claimed
millions of lives, including women and
innocent children most of them victims of
malnutrition popularly known as
Kwashiorkor during the 30 month war.
A few years ago several groups like
MASSOB, Biafran Zionist Movement and
individuals had clamored for a befitting
burial to be given to all the dead whose
families could not afford such rites in line
with the Igbo and African belief.
The state governor, Chief Willie Obiano said
that the holiday would be observed as a
response to several agitations by well-
meaning groups and people of the state to
observe a day burial for the civil war heroes
who paid the supreme sacrifice with their
lives.
The final burial which is expected to take
place at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka
would commence with a non-denomination
service.
Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, Ogirishigbo and
founder, Rojenny Tourist Village, Oba, Idemili
South Local Government Area of the state
emphasised the need for the final burial rites
to the fallen Biafrans. He described the plans
by the state government to observe January
12 as a public holiday as a welcomed
development.
According to him, “some of the atrocities
carried out by the youths like armed robbery
and Kidnapping are as a result of the
wandering spirits of the departed Biafrans
whose souls have not yet rested in Peace”.
He stated that with the final burial, progress
and peace would soon return to many
families in Anambra state.