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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary (1055 Views)
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Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary by OboloMAN: 10:11am On Nov 10, 2015 |
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders, hanged by the Nigerian state after they spoke out against the government and campaigned against Shell’s operations in Nigeria’s Ogoniland. 20 years gone women, men and children in the Delta Still drink, cook with and wash in polluted water, eat toxic fish and farm on contaminated land. On November 10th, 1995 Mr. Saro-Wiwa was arrested, tried, and executed on the orders of military dictator Sani Abacha. His execution was met with international condemnation, Nigeria was expelled from the Commonwealth of Nations for three years. Various activities have been lined up Today by various Activists to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the execution of environmental crusader and human right activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. www.amnesty.org.uk/blogs/yes-minister-it-human-rights-issue/shell-oil-nigeria-ken-saro-wiwa-niger-delta?utm_source=TWITTER&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=20151110080013&utm_campaign=Amnesty Read his full biography here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Saro-Wiwa
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Re: Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary by benedictnsi(m): 10:12am On Nov 10, 2015 |
Rip man |
Re: Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary by trapQ: 10:14am On Nov 10, 2015 |
RIP to the fallen heroes. |
Re: Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary by OboloMAN: 10:17am On Nov 10, 2015 |
On November 10, 1995, a Nigerian military-appoin ted tribunal executed nine Ogoni leaders. Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa was among them. His final statement, reprinted here, was never heard by the tribunal. Final statement from Nigeria. My lord, We all stand before history. I am a man of peace, of ideas. Appalled by the denigrating poverty of my people who live on a richly endowed land, distressed by their political marginalization and economic strangulation, angered by the devastation of their land, their ultimate heritage, anxious to preserve their right to life and to a decent living, and determined to usher to this country as a whole a fair and just democratic system which protects everyone and every ethnic group and gives us all a valid claim to human civilization, I have devoted my intellectual and material resources, my very life, to a cause in which I have total belief and from which I cannot be blackmailed or intimidated. I have no doubt at all about the ultimate success of my cause, no matter the trials and tribulations which I and those who believe with me may encounter on our journey. Neither imprisonment nor death can stop our ultimate victory. I repeat that we all stand before history. I and my colleagues are not the only ones on trial. Shell is here on trial and it is as well that it is represented by counsel said to be holding a watching brief. The Company has, indeed, ducked this particular trial, but its day will surely come and the lessons learnt here may prove useful to it for there is no doubt in my mind that the ecological war that the Company has waged in the Delta will be called to question sooner than later and the crimes of that war be duly punished. The crime of the Company's dirty wars against the Ogoni people will also be punished. On trial also is the Nigerian nation, its present rulers and those who assist them. Any nation which can do to the weak and disadvantaged what the Nigerian nation has done to the Ogoni, loses a claim to independence and to freedom from outside influence. I am not one of those who shy away from protesting injustice and oppression, arguing that they are expected in a military regime. The military do not act alone. They are supported by a gaggle of politicians, lawyers, judges, academics and businessmen, all of them hiding under the claim that they are only doing their duty, men and women too afraid to wash their pants of urine. We all stand on trial, my lord, for by our actions we have denigrated our Country and jeopardized the future of our children. As we subscribe to the sub-normal and accept double standards, as we lie and cheat openly, as we protect injustice and oppression, we empty our classrooms, denigrate our hospitals, fill our stomachs with hunger and elect to make ourselves the slaves of those who ascribe to higher standards, pursue the truth, and honour justice, freedom, and hard work. I predict that the scene here will be played and replayed by generations yet unborn. Some have already cast themselves in the role of villains, some are tragic victims, some still have a chance to redeem themselves. The choice is for each individual. I predict that the denoument of the riddle of the Niger delta will soon come. The agenda is being set at this trial. Whether the peaceful ways I have favoured will prevail depends on what the oppressor decides, what signals it sends out to the waiting public. In my innocence of the false charges I face Here, in my utter conviction, I call upon the Ogoni people, the peoples of the Niger delta, and the oppressed ethnic minorities of Nigeria to stand up now and fight fearlessly and peacefully for their rights. History is on their side. God is on their side. For the Holy Quran says in Sura 42, verse 41: "All those that fight when oppressed incur no guilt, but Allah shall punish the oppressor." Come the day. Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa 1 Like |
Re: Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary by Stephansmily(f): 10:18am On Nov 10, 2015 |
Rip to him... Please help a nairalander by liking her photo. https://m.facebook.com/faceofuniversitynigeria/photos/a.529952553810681.1073741828.507731919366078/593951960744073/?type=3&refid=18&__tn__=%2As |
Re: Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary by Nobody: 10:19am On Nov 10, 2015 |
A great and courageous man in his own right. Had to taste the evil and mischievous Northern conspiracy late Ojukwu had warned him against decades earlier. May his soul continue to rest as others continue to champion the cause. 3 Likes |
Re: Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary by OboloMAN: 10:43am On Nov 10, 2015 |
dearpreye: “While revolutionaries as individuals can be murdered, you cannot kill ideas." Ken Saro- Wiwa's ideas, dreams and vision lives on despite attempted suppression. Let it continue to be a lesson to those who have refused to learn. 2 Likes 1 Share
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Re: Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary by Nobody: 11:11am On Nov 10, 2015 |
What a Man!!!! Abacha is one of those people i'm certain I cannot meet in heaven! If I do.....Lemme just keep quiet Meanwhile RIP Ken Saro Wiwa |
Re: Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary by Nobody: 11:16am On Nov 10, 2015 |
The elders say: "Death that will kill a juvenile dog doesn't allow it perceive the smell of feaces". Have they learn anything yet? You be the judge! His son now works for the same people (2006 till date). |
Re: Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary by OboloMAN: 11:29am On Nov 10, 2015 |
jayfolarin: RIP Ken Saro Wiwa Lalasticlala |
Re: Today Marks Ken-saro Wiwa 20th Execution Anniversary by dokiOloye(m): 12:30pm On Nov 10, 2015 |
Very sad that d minorities in d Niger delta still haven't learnt any lessons from his life and death. Up till now,they still don't know who their enemies are. |
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