From Emmanuel Uzor, Abakaliki and Dom Ekpunobi, Onitsha

MOVEMENT for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Bi­afra (MASSOB) has declared today a public holiday to commemo­rate the declaration of the Republic of Bi­afra by late Dim Chuk­wuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on May 30, 1967.

Leader of the group, Mr Uchenna Madu said today’s holiday is to honour fallen and living Biafran heroes.

“In celebration of our 50th anniversary of Biafra declaration, MASSOB in the spirit of Biafranism will also visit orphanages and the living disabled Bi­afran soldiers, whom we resettled in Okwe, MASSOB headquar­ters.”

On the one year of President Muham­madu Buhari’s admin­istration, Madu said: “The one year admin­istration of President Buhari for MASSOB is a complete and total breakthrough for us.

“The emergence of Buhari as the current Nigerian president re­vived and restored the massive consciousness of Biafra actualisation through the continu­ation of Hausa/Fulani Islamic, political, eco­nomic and religious conquest of the Middle Belt and Southern re­gions as commanded by his political father, premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello during the week of Nigeria’s indepen­dence celebration according to Parrot Newspaper of October 12, 1960.”

He added: “The more Buhari expresses his dislike and primi­tive opposition to Bi­afra, the more the re­silience, consistency and undying spirit of Biafranism is nurtured and made more active in the lives of Biafra agitators.”

Meanwhile, the or­ganisation has assured of peaceful celebra­tion.

The movement said in Onitsha, Anam­bra State, that there was no cause for alarm, despite the unneces­sary arrest and deten­tion of its members by members of Joint Task Force.

Addressing news­men in Onitsha yes­terday, Nnewi South Regional Administra­tor, Chief Anthony A. Nwodo said, “people are free to go about their businesses with­out molestation from anybody.

“We celebrate it an­nually so, there is no cause for alarm even if the Joint Security Task Force are patrolling to frustrate our celebra­tion, it will not work,” he said.

He called on Igbo leaders to support Chief Ralph Uwazur­uike in his effort to actualise the sovereign state of Biafra.