The Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has warned the the Independent Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, against their order for a sit-at-home on May 30 in the State.
Recall that the pro-Biafra group had warned the management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Anambra State against holding its convocation ceremony on May 30. The group also called for the postponement of the ongoing Senior Secondary School Certificate, SSCE slated to hold on that date.
But reacting the order, the Enugu State Governor Mbah condemned IPOB. The Governor described the order as an attempt to scuttle the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in the state on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Aka Eze Aka. He stated that the consequences of candidates of Enugu State and the entire South East region not sitting for their General Mathematics papers were massive. The Commissioner warned that nothing but “gloom for the future, will befall the students, contrary to what their forebears fought for”.
Aka, however, urged candidates and those involved in the conduct of the examination and other enterprises to go about their legitimate businesses. He assured that the State Government had taken steps to ensure adequate security of lives and property.
The statement read in part: “The Enugu State Government notes with deep concern the statement credited to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Directing the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to postpone the General Mathematics (Theory and Objectives) examinations scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2024, which the IPOB had designated ‘Biafra Heroes Day.’
“We note with particular concern IPOB’s statement that ‘WAEC Board should not endanger the lives of small children. Because that day is not safe for any individual in Biafra territory.’
“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 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.
“Let no one make a mistake about it. Ndigbo excel on the wings of industry, education and human capital development. Therefore, any pronouncement or action that tends to deny our children their rights to education, which is their ticket to the future, is offensive to our sensibilities. And surely 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. More so, when many of the architects of such unjust and evil agenda live in the comfort of civilized societies. Where they go to work and their children go to school every workday.
“The Enugu State Government recognizes the sacrifices of our gallant forebears, who gave their all, including their lives, to defend the Igbo land. But we also recognize that they died that we may not just have life, but to have the best of it. And that can only come from developing our human capital to be able to excel in all that we do as individuals and collectively as a people.
“The Government will not sit by and watch the future of our children aborted by such ill-conceived pronouncement intended to keep them at home. WAEC, as the name implies, is a regional body organizing SSCE. Not just in Nigeria, but also, across West Africa. The sub-region will certainly not wait for us.
“The Enugu State Government, therefore, enjoins candidates sitting for the ongoing SSCE in Enugu State to feel free to go to their respective centres. And to sit for their papers on Thursday, May 30, 2024, without any fears. While the officials involved in the conduct of the examination should also go about their legitimate duties without apprehension.
“As underscored at the beginning of this administration, no one has the right to impose any illegal and involuntary restriction of movement or business activities on anybody within the territory of Enugu State. Such will be met with the full weight of the law.
“Consequently, the Government has put the security agencies on red alert to ensure security of lives and property. And also deal, according to the laws of the land, with anyone or group bent on scuttling the SSCE scheduled for May 30, 2024. Or causing a breach of peace and security of any type in that State.”
In the same development, the Head of Service of the Enugu State Civil Service, Ken Ugwu asked workers to discountenance the IPOB order.
The HoS stated this in a circular entitled “Clarification on Attendance to Duty on Thursday 30th May, 2024” issued on Tuesday. He warned civil servants and political appointees that failure to report to work would attract severe sanctions. Ugwu warned that there would be no public holiday on May 30, 2024.
He said: “It has become expedient to clarify that the State Government has not declared Thursday, 30th May, 2024 as a public holiday. Or sit-at-home day contrary to misconceptions from some quarters.
“May I, therefore, remind our workers that failure to be in their duty posts on the above date will attract summary dismissal from Service. And this is in line with the enabling provisions of the Public Service Rules.
“It must be noted that such purported public holiday/sit-at-home will have far-reaching consequences on the academic pursuit of our children, who are taking part in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations holding simultaneously across the nation, including the South Eastem region.
“Enugu State Government strongly frowns at any calculated attempt to mortgage the future of our children. And has, therefore, put in place necessary security arrangements to guarantee the safety and unrestricted movement of all citizens and residents within the State.
“All Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Administration, Heads of Departments, and agencies of Government are directed to take a roll call of all those who came to work on Thursday, May 30. And return the same to the Office of the Head of Service before 11 am on Thursday, 30th May, 2024.
“To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” the HoS warned.
Recall that IVNTV NEWS had reported on May 28 that the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, reiterated its stands on the May 30 sit-at-home order. The had warned there will restriction of movement across the Southeast of Nigeria as planned.
The group also warned the management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, in Anambra State against holding its convocation ceremony on May 30.
IPOB warned that the day had been selected for its Biafra Remembrance Day. A day it has set aside to honour Biafra heroes killed during the 1967-70 Nigeria/ Biafra civil war.
Reports, however, revealed that UNIZIK later bowed to pressure by rescheduling its convocation earlier billed to be held on May 30. The institution subsequently changed the May 30 and 31 dates. The institution had scheduled its 18th convocation and award of degrees to its graduates and postgraduates on Thursday, May 30.
source: Sahara Reporters
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