Igbo women under the platform of the Igbo Women Assembly have renewed calls for national healing, justice and reconciliation as communities across the world mark the May 30 Biafra Remembrance Day.
The group said that nearly six decades after the Nigerian civil war, many families in the South-East still live with unresolved pain and unanswered questions.
“We Still Bleed” — Pain of Civil War Still Felt
In a statement marking the remembrance, the group’s National President, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, said the memories of the civil war and the violence that preceded it remain deeply painful for many Igbo families.
She said the wounds of the past have not fully healed, stressing that national unity cannot be achieved without acknowledging historical suffering.
According to her, remembrance of those who died during the conflict should not be criminalised or treated as a threat to national stability.
Call for Respect and Peaceful Commemoration
The Igbo women urged citizens to observe the day through peaceful activities such as prayers, candlelight vigils and reflection.
They maintained that the remembrance of fallen civilians and soldiers is a humanitarian act aimed at honouring lives lost during the conflict.
Chimezie said every family in Igboland was affected by the war, making the commemoration a shared emotional moment.
Appeal for Dialogue With South-East Youths
The group also called on the Federal Government to deepen engagement with youths in the South-East rather than adopting confrontational approaches.
They stressed that many young people have legitimate concerns that should be addressed through dialogue and inclusion.
According to the group, sustainable peace can only be achieved when grievances are acknowledged and properly addressed.
“Healing Begins With Acknowledgement”Chimezie further urged political leaders in the South-East to help bridge the gap between youths and the federal authorities.
She argued that remembrance events should be seen as a pathway to reconciliation rather than division.
“There can be no genuine unity without justice, understanding and healing,” she said.
