#Throwbackthursday: Nov.10, ’95, Ken Saro-Wiwa brutally murdered by Nigerian govt.

Twenty-one years ago, on this date, the military junta of late General Sani Abacha put the celebrated environmental activist, Kenule Saro-Wiwa, and some other Ogoni chiefs to death by hanging, on charges of murder.

The sad incident reverberated across the world with total condemnation for the gruesome act. Many held the view that the junta killed the activist for vigorously frustrating the exploitation of Ogoniland and generally leading a crusade for resource control.

Saro-Wiwa, during his lifetime, led a non-violent campaign targeted primarily at the operations of international oil companies, especially Shell, which activities had left the environment seriously degraded and poorly managed.

More than two decades after his death, the issues he spoke about remain largely unresolved, and have today given birth to militancy in the Niger Delta region where bands of armed militias are clamouring for self determination.

Feeble attempts have been made over the years to contain these agitations. The latest attempt is the ‘Clean Up Ogoni’ project initiated by the Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government. Launched with plenty fanfare, the project which is projected to gulp about $30billion over a 30-year period has witnessed little activity ever since. 

President Buhari stayed away from the largely political event at inception, with aides pleading security concerns and this has left the Ogonis with doubts as to the sincerity and sustainability of the project. Many still believe that government is simply after their resources without concern for their future. 

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