A Group of South East journalists, known as IZUNWANNE, has called for the declaration of November 16, a public holiday in honour of the first indigenous President of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.
The Chairman of the group, Mr Abuchi Anuenyiagu, and Secretary, Mr Ugwuoke, made the request in a letter to the Southeast Governors’ Forum, containing Nigerian history and reasons they should accord Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe such honour.
According to the Group, Nigeria became Republic on November 16, 1963, which was also the birthday of late Dr Zik.
IZUNWANNE described Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe as a symbol of Nigeria’s Nationhood, considering the role he played during the pre-independence era, in the struggle for Nigeria’s Independence.
His other contributions to the growth and unity of the Nation were his efforts in ending the civil war, and also his ideals of not discriminating against any Nigerian tribe.
The Journalists Group urged the Southeast Governors to support the Initiative of declaring November 16 (being Zik’s Birthday) a National Day, to be marked as public holiday in honour of Zik of Africa.
The Group tasked governments of the five states in the Southeast, to emulate their southwest counterparts, such as in the case of June 12, and take the lead to declare November 16, work free day in honour of the Great Zik.
