Enugu, Nigeria – The Enugu State Government has issued a stern warning to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against any planned disruption of the ongoing West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations scheduled for May 30. This statement was made by the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Aka Eze Aka, on Wednesday in Enugu.
Mr. Aka expressed the government’s strong stance against IPOB’s directive, which called for the postponement of the General Mathematics (Theory and Objectives) examination on May 30, a day designated by IPOB as “Biafra Heroes Day.” The Commissioner assured residents and students of adequate security and urged them to continue with their exams and daily activities without fear.
“We note with particular concern IPOB’s statement that WAEC should not endanger the lives of students because the day is not safe for any individual in Biafra territory,” Aka stated. “This is unacceptable to us, not only because of the well-known position of the Enugu State Government on illegal sit-at-home orders, which have dealt a great blow on the socio-economic life and fortunes of the South-East region. But it is also because of the far-reaching consequences of a whole generation of Enugu children failing to sit for a fundamental subject such as Mathematics in one year.”
Aka emphasized the importance of education and human capital development, highlighting that the Igbo people have historically excelled through industry and education. He criticized any actions that would deny children their right to education, which is crucial for their future success.
“The Igbo founding fathers and fallen heroes, who must be turning in their graves, would be wondering what could have happened to the Igbos as a people,” Aka said. He condemned those pushing for such “unjust and evil agendas” while enjoying the comforts of civilized societies where they work and their children attend school regularly.
The Commissioner further stated, “The Enugu State Government recognizes the sacrifices of our gallant forebears, who gave their all, including their lives, to defend Igboland. But we also recognize that they died so that we may not just have life, but to have the best of it, which can only come from developing our human capital to excel in all that we do as individuals and collectively as a people.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the future of Enugu children is not jeopardized by any ill-conceived directives. “WAEC, as the name implies, is a regional body not just in Nigeria, but across West Africa. The subregion will certainly not wait for us,” Aka concluded.
