By Isaac Mission
A call has been made for the Federal Government to designate May 30 as a national remembrance day for Nigerians who lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War.
The appeal was made by the Chairman of the Nigeria Public Affairs Analysts, Enugu State chapter, Dr Ambrose Igboke, at the public presentation of a new book on the Nigerian Civil War in Enugu.
The book, titled History and Lessons from the Nigerian Civil War, was unveiled on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
Igboke, who reviewed the publication, said May 30 should serve as a day for the country to remember the victims of the conflict, which began in 1967 and ended in January 1970.
He also called on governors in the South-East to consider declaring May 30 a work-free day if the Federal Government declined to adopt the proposal at the national level.
According to him, commemorating those who died during the war would not amount to promoting another conflict but would help preserve the memory of the sacrifices made during one of the most difficult periods in Nigeria's history.
He urged Nigerians to ensure that the lessons of the war were not lost, stressing that the younger generation should understand the devastating consequences of violent conflicts.
Igboke further encouraged young Nigerians to embrace dialogue, tolerance and peaceful means of resolving disagreements.
The analyst praised the authors of the book — Dr Uchenna Cyril Anioke, Chief Obioma Ikechi and Elder James I. Egwuonwu — for documenting the war from their perspectives and incorporating personal experiences into the publication.
He noted that much of the existing literature on the Civil War had been based on accounts that were sometimes incomplete, second-hand or influenced by particular perspectives.
According to him, the new book provides readers with another account of the events surrounding the conflict and the circumstances that eventually led to the war.
The Chairman of the book unveiling, Surveyor Ugoh Chime, described the publication as an important contribution to the documentation of Nigeria's history.
Chime said the book offered an opportunity for Nigerians to examine the causes and consequences of the Civil War while drawing lessons that could help prevent similar conflicts in the future.
Also speaking at the event, political scientist Prof. Godwin Udeuhele, who represented Hon. Toby Okechukwu and Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, described the publication as a timely initiative capable of promoting peace and national cohesion.
He said Nigerians could better understand the importance of peaceful coexistence by studying the country's past.
The Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Sam Ugwu, who represented the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, stressed the importance of history in shaping the nation's future.
Ugwu said the book documented both the immediate and underlying factors that contributed to the Civil War, as well as its political and socio-economic consequences.
He also advocated greater attention to the teaching of Nigerian history in schools, warning that a generation disconnected from its history could struggle to understand the country's present challenges.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow authors, Anioke said the publication was written to provide a chronological and objective account of the events that preceded and shaped the Civil War.
He said the authors were concerned that the history of the conflict had frequently been presented in fragments or through perspectives that could deepen divisions.
Anioke explained that the authors deliberately arranged the events chronologically in an attempt to provide readers with a clearer understanding of how the crisis developed.
He said the book was designed not to reopen old wounds but to encourage Nigerians to reflect on their shared history and responsibilities.
According to him, the ultimate objective is to promote national unity, preserve institutional memory and encourage Nigerians to choose dialogue and empathy over conflict.
The event attracted journalists, academics, traditional rulers, civil society representatives, authors and other prominent personalities from across the country.
The former Governor of Enugu State, Ambassador Lawrence Ugwuanyi, was represented by Dr Chinedu Onuh.
Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West Senatorial District, was represented by his media aide, Dr Luke Mgboh, while Senator Ikeje Asogwa of Enugu North Senatorial District was represented by his media aide, Mr Samson Ezea.