The World Igbo Youth Council (WIYC) has announced a series of peaceful protests scheduled to begin on March 17, 2025, across cities in the South-East, as well as in Abuja and Lagos. The protests aim to demand an official apology from the Federal Government to the Igbo people over the 1966 coup and the subsequent Nigeria-Biafra War.
The movement gained momentum following recent claims by former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), in his newly released book, where he asserted that the 1966 coup was not an Igbo-led conspiracy.
In a statement released on Sunday, WIYC President General, Princess Eberechukwu Dickson, called on President Bola Tinubu to issue a formal apology to the Igbo nation. The group is also demanding $10 trillion in reparations, stressing that the issue extends beyond financial compensation to recognizing the historical injustices and suffering endured by the Igbo people.
Key Demands of WIYC:
Recognition of Historical Injustice: WIYC insists that the loss of approximately 3.8 million Igbo lives during the Nigeria-Biafra War (1966-1970) must be acknowledged.
Apology from the Federal Government: The group argues that a formal apology is crucial for genuine national reconciliation.
Implementation of ECOWAS Verdict: WIYC is urging the Nigerian government to comply with the 2017 ECOWAS ruling, which mandated reparations for Biafra War victims.
Economic & Political Redress: The statement highlights the economic marginalization of the Igbo people, citing the closure of the Calabar Seaport and systemic barriers preventing Igbo political leadership.
WIYC believes that the consequences of the war continue to manifest in economic disenfranchisement, political marginalization, and systemic inequality. The group warns that failure to address these grievances could prolong the sense of injustice among the Igbo people.
The protests on March 17, 2025, aim to amplify their call for justice, urging the government to acknowledge the past and take meaningful steps toward national healing.
