Barely one week after the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu disowned Finland-based Simon Ekpa, the man behind sit-at-home in the South East, the former on Saturday directed his followers to dedicate every Monday as ‘Economic Empowerment Day’ (EED) rather than sit at home.
In his recent handwritten letter to Ekpa, Kanu had asked him to stop his followers from the enforcement of the sit-at-home in Igboland.
Announcing the EED, the IPoB leader, who is in detention and being tried for treason by the Federal Government on account of his alleged secessionist moves, said the new concept is designed to mobilise resources towards reversing the South-East’s economic decline.
In a statement, IPoB Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful explained that the EED would focus on improving educational and social conditions, which have been negatively impacted by the prolonged sit-at-home periods.
He stated: “The Economic Empowerment Day is a day for the mass mobilization of Biafrans to devote their resources and means towards reversing the sharp decline in our economic, educational, and social needs.
“During this exercise, Biafrans are encouraged to embark on a massive deployment of their resources for the empowerment of the educationally disadvantaged and poverty-ridden population of our people”.
According to him, the EED initiative aims to help the Eastern region thrive and grow through education, employment, health services, and fostering a sense of identity and community.
He stressed that there is an urgent need to empower Ndigbo to live beyond subsistence, recognizing their global reputation for hard work, resilience, and achievement.
“Through the Economic Empowerment Day, our people and, indeed, the Eastern region can begin to thrive and grow.
“It is time to rebuild our once-envied Eastern region – peaceful, accommodating, resilient, illustrious, and great – and reclaim our glory among nations”, the IPoB spokesperson stressed.
In response to the concerns raised about the authenticity of Kanu’s handwritten letter, which conveyed the cancellation of the sit-at-home, IPoB affirmed that it was not written under duress, compulsion, or influence.
Powerfully emphasised: “Anybody questioning the authenticity of the handwritten letter is patently dishonest and not worthy to be called a Biafran. Onyendu is very firm and unshaken.
“Anybody who claims to know Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will also know that nobody will be courageous enough to coerce him to do anything that will jeopardise the restoration of Biafra”.
