Izunwanne, a group of journalists of Southeast of Nigeria origin, has called for the declaration of May 30 as Igbo day celebration and a public holiday in Igbo language speaking states and places.

The group presented the matter before the Southeast Governors’ Forum through a letter they addressed to its chairman, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State.

In the letter, jointly signed by IZUNWANNE Chairman, Sir Abuchi Anuenyiagu, and Secretary, Elder Ngwuoke Ngwuoke, the group noted that May 30, 1966 has remained indelibly etched on the psyche of every Igbo person as well as the events that led to the Nigerian-Biafran War of 1967 to 1970 in which millions of people lost their lives, with the Igbo suffering the most and worst casualties, in addition to being displaced in their homelands and losing their jobs in Federal civil and public services, as well as their businesses and funds in the financial institutions.

“Many pan-Igbo groups and organisations have tried to institute one form of memorial or the other about May 30, but their efforts have not sufficiently succeeded in galvanising the entire Igbo Nation,” the group noted.

They therefore recommended to the Southeast Governors Forum that May 30 be specially dedicated and observed by all designated Igbo States as Public Holiday to serve as a memorial day for the dead as a result of the 30-month fratricidal war and also as day of Celebration the Igbo as an ethnic nationality.

“It is strongly recommended that the entire Igbo tribe, wherever they may be or are found, do made to observe and celebrate the day as a special day of ndi Igbo,” IZUNWANNE stated.

Izunwanne urged the Southeast Governors to send Executive Bills to their respective State Houses of Assembly to enact laws for the declaration of May 30 as Igbo Memorial Day.