The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday, said it has now set aside Mondays in the South East region as an “Economic empowerment day”.

The spokesman for the group, Emma Powerful, stated this in a statement released on Saturday.

According to the pro-Biafran group, the aim is to enable the people to mobilise resources and means towards reversing the sharp decline in the economic, educational, and social sectors of the region caused by the prolonged sit-at-home.

Powerful said the move followed the total cancellation of all forms of sit-at-home in the entire South-East as stated in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s handwritten letter which was made public through his counsel Alloy Ejimakor, a few days ago.

The statement read, “Following the total cancellation of all forms of sit-at-home in the entire South-East, as clearly and unequivocally stated in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s handwritten letter. He has therefore directed the people, to henceforth, set aside every Monday as an ‘Economic empowerment day’ in the entire South-East.

“Economic Empowerment Day connotes a day set aside for mass mobilisation of Biafrans, to devote their resources and means towards reversing the sharp and unprecedented decline in the economic, educational, and social needs of our people occasioned by the prolonged sit-at-home.

“During this exercise, the people are encouraged to embark on the massive deployment of their resources for the empowerment of the educationally disadvantaged and poverty-ridden population of our people.

“Through education, employment, health services, sense of identity and community, our people and indeed, the Eastern region can begin to thrive and grow.

“There is an urgent need to reclaim our lost glory by embarking on empowering Biafrans with the resources they need to live beyond mere subsistence as our people are known globally for hard work, resilience, and great achievements.

“The implication of this Economic Empowerment Day is that Biafrans are expected to devote significant time to adhere to their routine calendar schedule template strictly and uninterruptedly with a view to making up for the humongous time lost to the activities of misguided enforcers of unsanctioned Monday sit-at-home order.”

The group reiterated that Kanu’s handwritten letter, which conveyed his message cancelling sit-at-home in the entire South-East, was never written under any duress, compulsion, or influence of any kind.

“Anybody questioning the authenticity of the handwritten letter suspending further Monday sit-at-home is patently dishonest and not worthy to be called a Biafran. Anybody who claims to know Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will also know that nobody will be courageous enough to coerce him to do anything that will jeopardise the restoration of Biafra.

“Therefore, enough is enough. It is time we consolidate efforts to rebuild our once-envied Eastern region,” the group added.