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| Photo of the day: Frank Opigbo -The Ijaw man who named Biafra |
On 27th of May 1967,Chief Frank Opigo, principal of Okrika Grammer school, told General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu that the name of the then emerging country should be Republic of Biafra.
There had been from ancient map bigger country named Biafra which covered the present day Biafra and parts of southern Cameroon and Gabon. Frank Opigo, a lettered Izon speaking Biafran who upon seeing the need to provide shelter, safety and protection in a homeland for Biafrans who were fleeing ethnic cleansing in all parts of Nigeria, advised Ojukwu that the name ‘Biafra’ which the land has been called for millennia before the British colonialists came should be re-introduced.
Up until yesterday, the date May 27, was merely recognised by Biafrans as ‘Children’s Day’ which is observed by Nigeria. Little did Biafrans know that the date is actually very significant in their history. With each passing day, many Biafrans learn more and more about the history of their country through Radio Biafra. Nnamdi Kanu, the director of Radio Biafra speaking on the significance of the date said ‘Today, Chukwu abiamah came down from heaven to minister to his children to ask them to agree that his kingdom on earth will be called Biafra. This day is the holiest of them all.’
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| Ancient map of Biafra existing before Nigeria was created. |
He expressed gratitude to Chukwuabiamah for the work done by Chief Opigo, chiefs of Biafraland and Ojukwu and vowed to make sure that the work which they started will be completed. ‘The children you sent, chief Frank Opigo and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu have done their job and gone away, we must complete it,’ he stated.
Chief Frank Opigo would later go on to serve his country In 1967 as the administrator of Yenagoa Province of Biafra and the commissioner for rural development. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 84. He will be remembered on the 30th of May.
Related Story:
Biafran Chronicle
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