Enugu rejects IPOB sit-at-home order

The Indigenous People of Biafra were cautioned by the Enugu State Government on Wednesday not to cancel the state's Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.

A pro-Biafran organisation called IPOB announced a sit-at-home on May 30, 2024, which is tomorrow, to honour Biafrans who lost their lives in the civil war between Nigeria and Biafra.

The government responded to the sit-at-home order by claiming that it went against the goals of their ancestors' campaigns in a statement released by Mr. Aka Eze Aka, Commissioner for Information.

The commissioner reassured candidates and those involved in the administration of the test and other endeavours to proceed with their lawful business, stating that the state had taken the necessary precautions to guarantee sufficient security of lives and property.

The statement ascribed to the Indigenous People of Biafra, according to Eze, "directs the West African Examination Council to postpone the General Mathematics (Theory and Objectives) examinations scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2024, which the IPOB had designated 'Biafra Heroes Day.'" The Enugu State Government notes this with deep concern.

The claim made by IPOB that the WAEC board "should not endanger the lives of small children because that day is not safe for any individual in Biafra territory" is especially concerning.

This is unacceptable to us for a number of reasons, including the far-reaching effects of an entire generation of Enugu children failing to sit for a basic subject like mathematics in a single year, as well as the well-known stance of the Enugu State Government on illegal sit-at-home orders, which have dealt a great blow to the socio-economic life and fortunes of the South East region.

Let there be no doubt about it: Ndigbo thrive on the backs of business, education, and the development of human capital. Since education is our children's ticket to the future, any statement or action that attempts to deny them that right is offensive to both our sensibilities and the sensibilities of our founding fathers and fallen heroes, who must be turning in their graves, wondering what could have happened to us as a people. Moreso, when many of the architects of such an unjust and evil agenda live in the comfort of civilised societies where they go to work and their children go to school every workday.
"The Government of Enugu State acknowledges the valiant sacrifices made by our ancestors who devoted their lives in defence of the Igbo land." However, we also acknowledge that they gave their lives so that we might not only live, but live it to the fullest, which is only possible through building up our human capital and enabling us to succeed in everything we do, both as a people and as individuals.

"The government will not stand by and watch as our children's futures are destroyed by such misguided statements meant to keep them at home. As its name suggests, WAEC is a regional organisation that coordinates SSCE throughout West Africa, not just in Nigeria. The subregion won't wait around for us.

"Therefore, the Enugu State Government calls on candidates enrolled in the current SSCE in Enugu State to feel free to visit their designated centres and take their exams on Thursday, May 30, 2024, without any concerns. Additionally, the officials tasked with overseeing the examination should go about their official responsibilities without any concerns."

Meanwhile, the government issued a warning to state government appointees and civil servants that failure to report to work would result in harsh consequences in a circular titled "Clarification on Attendance to Duty on Thursday 30th May 2024" and signed by Head of Service, Mr. Ken Ugwu.

"It has become expedient to clarify that, contrary to misconceptions from some quarters, the State Government has not declared Thursday, May 30, 2024, as a public holiday or sit-at-home day," stated Ugwu.

"May I, therefore, remind our employees that, in accordance with the Public Service Rules' enabling provisions, failure to report to work on the aforementioned date will result in summary dismissal from Service.”