IPOB says it will replace the Nigerian national anthem with ‘Biafran’ national anthem
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday said the recitation of the Nigerian national anthem will no longer be allowed in Southeast schools.
The group’s head of Directorate of State (DOS), Chika Edoziem, stated this in a New Year message announcing the plans of the separatist group for 2022.
TheNiche reported on December 27 that Edoziem would address IPOB members in the new Year.
In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group said: “We wish to announce to the people of Biafra both home and in the diaspora, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom that the able Head of Directorate of State of the Indigenous people of Biafra IPOB, Mazi Chika Edoziem will address Biafrans on Radio Biafra on Saturday 1st of January 2022.
“He will highlight the achievements IPOB has recorded this year, and hint on the roadmaps to our liberation.
“He will also address some pertinent issues pertaining to our struggle for independence.
Edoziem said school authorities in the Southeast should only teach the “Biafran” national anthem.
IPOB is a proscribed organisation, which seeks an independent state of Biafra.
Its leader Nnamdi Kanu is on trial over treasonable felony charges.
Edoziem said: “The DOS will be creating a new department in IPOB to add to those already existing under the directorate of state.
“The department will be designated as the IPOB education department.
“Primary responsibility is to teach our history, language, tradition and culture to our children.
“We have about three books that will be published this new year in furtherance of this.
“After the head of this department is made public, Biafran writers will be called upon to bring forward books and educational materials to be published for our children in primary and secondary schools.
“Beginning from tonight, no more Nigerian national anthems in all schools in Biafraland.
“Our children must no longer be reminded daily that they are under oppression by singing the national anthem of the oppressor.
“School authorities and proprietors have a responsibility to teach our children our national anthem: The Biafran National Anthem.”
Edoziem said all supporters of IPOB worldwide would begin a campaign to secure Kanu’s release.
He added: “The following are some of the programmes and actions which the leadership will vigorously pursue in 2022. These are the ones we can make public for now. Others will be made known at the appropriate time.
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“Worldwide campaign for the unconditional release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (A Prisoner of Conscience).
“The Campaign will be called the ‘prisoner of conscience campaign’.
“In furtherance of this campaign, all IPOB family members, Biafrans and friends of Biafra are hereby urged to change their profile pictures on social media with our official campaign poster.
“Secondly, all IPOB families worldwide are hereby directed to activate the earlier instruction passed down to them.
“We shall embark on a worldwide protest in cities and capitals around the world.
“The focus of our protest shall be British embassies, the British Parliament, 10 Downing Street, the Kenyan Embassies, the Nigerian embassies and International Organisations like the UN, the EU, Amnesty International and media houses.”
Security agencies have accused IPOB and its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), of being behind most of the acts of violence in the Southeast.
IPOB leader Kanu is on trial over treasonable felony charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since he was brought back to the country.
IPOB claimed Kanu was a victim of extraordinary rendition.