By Mary Obi

On Friday, May 30, 2025, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Lead Counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led a moving tribute in honor of Biafran heroes who died during the Nigerian Civil War. The day, observed annually as Biafra Remembrance Day, commemorates the sacrifices of those who fought and died for the Biafran cause.

In a message titled “Ozo Emezina: You Are Forever in Our Hearts,” Ejiofor honored the memory of what he called the “gallant souls” whose lives were lost in pursuit of justice, dignity, and self-determination.

“Today, the wind carries a solemn echo across our land. It whispers the names of heroes, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, gallant Biafrans who stood when standing meant dying, who fought when silence meant erasure,” he wrote.

Ejiofor described the fallen as more than victims of war, calling them “eternal torchbearers” of Biafra’s dignity and identity. His tribute invoked powerful imagery of those who faced military might with nothing but hope and conviction:

“You faced down tanks with bare hands and bold hearts. You held on to hope when the world turned its back. You starved, bled, and died, not for power or glory, but for the dream that your children might one day live in a land where justice reigns and truth stands unshaken.”

He acknowledged the sacrifices of women and children, young boys thrust into battle, and countless innocent lives lost simply for being Biafran. Through his words, Ejiofor emphasized that their memory would not fade and that their sacrifice laid the foundation for ongoing resilience.

“Though the guns are silent, your war is not over. For every tear shed in remembrance is a vow-a vow that your sacrifice shall never be erased from the pages of history, nor from the hearts of those who still dare to dream Biafra.”

“Ozo Emezina”—a phrase meaning “enough is enough” or “never again”—resonates deeply as a lasting emblem of the Biafran struggle. More than a slogan, it stands as a solemn reminder of a painful past and a powerful call to collective remembrance.

As IPOB and many across the southeastern region of Nigeria marked the day with prayers, processions, and moments of silence, Ejiofor’s tribute served as a powerful reminder of a people’s enduring hope and unyielding quest for justice.

“You did not fall—you rose into eternity. Rest, gallant souls, beneath the sacred soil of our ancestors. Rest, even as we march onward, bearing your legacy like a flame in the dark. Ozo emezina. The struggle continues. And you will never, ever be forgotten.”

Hashtags associated with the tribute include:

OzoEmezina #BiafranHeroes #WeRememberBiafra #BiafraRemembranceDay #GallantFallen #BiafraLivesOn #30May2025 #NeverForget #BiafraStruggle #RestOnFallenHeroes #JusticeForBiafra #TheLandRemembers #InTheirHonor #BiafraWillRise #OurHistoryOurPride.