The Indigenous People of Biafra has announced the ban of recitation of the Nigerian national anthem and the killing of Fulani cows in the Southeast, which it calls Biafraland.
IPOB, which is fighting for the independence of Nigeria’s southeast, made the declaration through a New Year message delivered on Monday by its Director of State, Chika Edoziem.
Edozien directed that in place of the Nigerian Anthem, the Biafran national anthem should be taught in schools in the region.
He also added that cows brought into the region by Fulani herdsmen are no longer accepted for use at social events in the Southeast.
Below is part of the statement:
“The DOS will be creating a new department in IPOB to add to those already existing under the Directorate of State. The department will be designated as IPOB EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. Primary responsibility is to teach our history, language, tradition and culture to our children. We have about three books that will be published this new year in furtherance of this. After the head of this department is made public, Biafran writers will be called upon to bring forward books and educational materials to be published for our children in primary and secondary schools.
“Beginning from tonight, no more Nigerian National Anthems in all Schools in Biafraland. Our Children must no longer be reminded daily that they are under oppression by singing the national anthem of the oppressor. School authorities and proprietors have a responsibility to teach our children our national anthem. The Biafran National Anthem.”
The group also said only “native cows” will be permitted for consumption in Biafraland.
“The ban placed on Fulani cows will take effect in April 2022. Effective this month Fulani cows will not be used for any social or ceremonial events and festivals in Biafraland. Our native cows will be used instead for these events Traditional Custodians of our Culture, the Clergy, and Town Unions must ensure that this message gets to the grassroots.
“We cannot continue to eat and bring cause and damnation upon our land and upon ourselves by consuming cows that were used for bestiality.”
