Biafra is a name that was given to the South-Eastern Nigerians who seceded from Nigeria in 1967. The appellation was chosen by Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu after his friend, Chief Frank Opigo, suggested it.
There are numerous theories regarding the name’s origin and originator. This article will elaborate on the name Biafra, its origin, and the states considered to be Biafra Land.
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Who Gave the Name Biafra?
Two individuals who were instrumental in the establishment of the republic came up with the name. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Chief Frank Opigo are their names. There are various theories regarding the origin of the moniker Biafra. Others assert that it is an Igbo name, while others say it is Ijaw. The true significance of the name is now contested.
Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, moved by compassion, decided on May 30, 1967, in a meeting of Igbo and Ijaw soldiers, to end the suffering and redeem his people and other non-Igbo representatives of the area.
They agreed on a name for the new republic and its members. Chukwuemeka’s companion, Chief Frank Opigo, suggested the name Biafra, which was adopted, and the Republic of Biafra was declared.
This was the flag of the republic known as the rising sun, which originated in the eastern region of Nigeria. It was anticipated that it would be a place where the oppressed could find justice, fairness, and peace, having escaped the oppression and violence of northern Nigeria.
What is the Meaning of Biafra?
The name was created by combining the words “bia,” which means to arrive, and “fara,” which means to live. The name was derived from the search for a suitable name for a place of calm and justice for the oppressed people of southern Nigeria.
Biafra became a place of justice, harmony, and serenity for the oppressed and marginalized. It is the designation given to the eastern secessionist region of Nigeria that achieved independence in 1967. During the Nigerian-Biafran conflict, the group existed as a country for just three years.
When is Biafra Day?
The 30th of May is celebrated as Biafra Day. This is because Biafra was proclaimed a republic for the first time on May 30, 1967. It was declared by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, an Igbo officer. In addition to being the day of independence, this day is also celebrated as Biafra Day for other purposes.
First, Biafra Day is observed to honor the memory of all Biafrans who perished during the 1967–1970 Biafra/Nigeria civil conflict. Second, it is also used to commemorate all the Biafran heroes who were slain during the struggle for the realization of Biafra, such as the massacre at Nkpor Onitsha.
During the heinous Nkpor Onitsha massacre, Nigerian soldiers murdered defenseless Biafran protesters commemorating Biafra day. Due to these factors, Amnesty International and other pro-Biafra organizations concurred that the commemoration of these fallen patriots should continue on this date throughout the South Eastern States.
The South-Eastern States of Nigeria or Biafra Land should observe the day as a “Sit-at-Home” day for all Biafrans. A day in which all Biafrans remain at home and close their enterprises in remembrance of the region’s fallen heroes.
How Many States Makeup Biafra?
The area referred to as Biafra Land encompasses the South East and South-South States of Nigeria. In recent years, the republic has been described as consisting solely of Igbos. Although South-Eastern Nigeria made up the majority of the republic, some South-South States are intended to be a part of it, but the majority of them are opting out. This could be because Biafra initially failed.
This republic consists of several Nigerian states, and the region is predominantly Igbo and Christian. Biafra Land includes the states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom, as well as portions of Edo, Kogi, and Benue.
The majority of the region’s inhabitants are Igbo, with other minorities including the Efik, Ogoni, Ijaw, Anang, Ibibio, Idoma, and Igala. Over 30,000 square miles of Biafra land are well-watered throughout the entire year.
It traverses a significant portion of the Niger River, Kwa River, Cross River, and Imo River and has coastlines on the South Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Guinea. The Land is bordered by Cameroon in the east and Nigeria in the north and west.
A Brief History of Biafra
Biafra’s history can be traced back to the period following Nigeria’s independence from Britain in 1960. Six years after the country’s independence, Northern Muslims began mistreating and murdering Igbos in the north due to the country’s predominantly northern and Muslim population.
This resulted in tens of thousands of Igbos migrating back to the Igbo-dominated eastern part of the country. This led to unrest among Igbos, who questioned whether Nigeria’s oppressive military government would permit them to survive and flourish.
Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu was moved by compassion and determined to end the suffering of his people and other marginalized non-Igbo people in the region as a result of these murders. On May 30, 1967, he and his companion, Chief Frank Opigo, coined the name and proclaimed the Republic of Biafra.
This republic is comprised of several Nigerian states, particularly the South-East and South-South states. Biafra is commonly referred to as the rising sun because it originated in the eastern region of Nigeria. It was anticipated that the oppressed would find justice, fairness, and peace there.
The Nigerian-Biafran civil war, which began in 1967 and ended in 1970, prevented the republic from lasting longer than three years. Approximately 3.5 million Biafrans were killed during the conflict because Biafra was still a young nation and unprepared for war at the time. The war ended in 1970 with the “No Victor, No Defeated” agreement, and the Republic remerged with Nigeria.