The man behind the composition of the popular Biafra national anthem, Chief Charles Okereke has expressed fear over the state of the pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, saying the continuous issuance of statements by unauthorized sources who parade themselves as members of the group or its affiliates exposes the generality of Ndigbo to threats.
Mr. Okereke in interaction with ABN TV on Friday did not however categorically mention the particular affiliate group, he emphasized that there is a need for co-ordinated leadership between the national body of Ohanaeze and those he said are parading as the youth wing of the body.
“They are people running afoul of the rules, going about insulting people and sometimes they are not even credible or part of the decision-making organ of Ohanaeze.
“Everybody is part of Ohanaeze Ndigbo but what I am saying is that somebody cannot come out without consulting us, going about saying things that may get us in trouble. And that is what is happening.
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“They use the Nigerian dailies very well to say things that entail security risk to our people. They talk about the deployment of Christian soldiers to the South, Fulani herdsmen, this and that. They can speak for themselves and cannot be speaking for Ohanaeze. Even Nnia Nwodo, if he wants to say anything, he has to consult “IME OBI” and the people before he goes to say anything on behalf of Ohanaeze”, he said.
He warned that those who go about releasing statements on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo should learn to make consultations, insisting that it portends a serious risk to the generality of Ndigbo globally.
With the title, “Cry of Biafran Child” the song was later renamed the Biafra national anthem.
Mr. Okereke, an indigene of Bende local government area of Abia state said he composed the song at the age of 14 in 1970 when Biafra officially surrendered.
The song won African Union anthem competition in 2003 on behalf of Nigeria, a feat for which he said he was not recognized by the country and his state, Abia.
