The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), led by Prime Minister Simon Njoku Ekpa, has announced that it will hold its national convention from November 29 to December 3, 2024. The five-day event will take place in Lahti, Finland, at the historic Sibelius Hall.
Established in April 2023, the BRGIE represents the people of Biafra, a region in Southeastern Nigeria that briefly declared independence as the Republic of Biafra from 1967 to 1970. Despite being reabsorbed into Nigeria after the Nigerian Civil War, which resulted in over a million Biafran deaths, the desire for an independent Biafran state endures.
The invitation-only convention aims to unite members of the Biafran nation in diaspora. The first three days will feature various lectures and programs, along with voting on government matters. On December 2, the fourth day, the BRGIE will announce the results of its referendum, launched on February 1, 2024, addressing Biafran independence from Nigeria. The referendum results will be ratified on the final day, December 3, with all delegates photographed and signing the ratified document.
Ekpa emphasized the historical significance of Sibelius Hall, named after Jean Sibelius, the Finnish composer of "Finlandia," which shares its melody with Biafra's national anthem, "Land of the Rising Sun."
Biafran individuals wishing to become delegates must register for a Biafran ID card through an online process administered by the BRGIE’s Security Administration Department. The application is available to Biafrans residing legally in the diaspora, requiring proof of citizenship or residence outside Nigeria. An international third-party verification company will verify the documents to prevent fraud.
The BRGIE also announced the upcoming launch of Biafra Coin (USBT), a stable coin paired 1 to 1 with the US Dollar, offering an alternative for Biafrans facing difficulties transacting within Nigeria’s struggling economy. The official currency, named ‘Ejemma,’ means ‘going well’ in Igbo.
Furthermore, the BRGIE has passed Act 07/2024 to establish the Biafran State Police to address crime and kidnapping in the region. Initially, officers will serve as community police.
The BRGIE invites international journalists to cover the event, with airfare and accommodation covered by the BRGIE.
“Nigeria is facing incredible hardships. People are protesting, but the only people who are yet to protest are the Biafran people, and we do not plan to. Because, systematically, we believe we are no longer part of Nigeria, therefore, it makes no sense for Biafrans to protest a system that does not represent us,” says Ekpa. He encourages the Biafran people, “Be courageous, stand firm, and be resilient, just as you have been over the last two and a half years, during our civil disobedience campaign. Stand firm, look forward to freedom, and our eyes will always remain on the Rising Sun.”
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