Ohanaeze Ndigbo declares May 30 “Igbo heroes day,” rejects sit-at-home order

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has officially renamed May 30th as “Igbo Heroes Day.”

Acoording to the group, the new name replaces the former “Biafra Remembrance Day” and is aimed at fostering unity, dignity, and respect for those who laid down their lives during the Biafran conflict.

Ohanaeze stated that while the day remains important for reflection and honouring the southeast’s fallen heroes, the celebration must be voluntary and peaceful, especially considering the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WAEC), which run from April 28 to June 20.

“We urge our people to avoid any disruption to academic, economic, or social activities. May 30 should not be a day of sit-at-home, but a day of dignified remembrance,” said Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The organization also issued a clear appeal to Biafra agitators to refrain from issuing or enforcing sit-at-home orders, warning that such actions harm the very people they claim to protect.

“History has shown that previous May 30th sit-at-home directives have often led to violence, economic loss, and the branding of Igbos as troublemakers. We must reject any approach that invites confrontation or further suffering,” the statement noted.

Ohanaeze stated that the renaming to “Igbo Heroes Day” is a step toward gaining more recognition, including from the Federal Government, similar to how June 12 is recognized as Democracy Day for the southwest.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo called on all Igbos to honour their heroes with reflection, not restriction, and to protect the educational future of the youth.

The organization urges communities to come together in peace, rejecting any form of violence or coercion, and to celebrate the legacy of their ancestors with unity, wisdom, and purpose.