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By Lizzy Chirkpi
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday granted a posthumous presidential pardon to environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders who were executed in 1995.
The President also conferred the prestigious Grand Commander of the Federal Republic on late Chief of General Staff, General Shehu Yar’Adua.
The prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) was conferred on Professor Wole Soyinka and scores of others were also honoured.
The announcement was made by President Tinubu during his Democracy Day speech at a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja. He revealed plans for full presidential pardons for these national heroes under the prerogative of mercy, with additional names expected to be released by the National Council of State.
Who Was Ken Saro-Wiwa?
Ken Saro-Wiwa was a prominent Nigerian writer, television producer, and environmental activist. He dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of the Ogoni people in the Niger Delta, whose land suffered extensive environmental damage due to oil extraction.
Saro-Wiwa was a leading figure in the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), which actively protested the ecological devastation caused by oil exploration, particularly by Royal Dutch Shell. His activism brought global attention to the plight of the Ogoni people and the environmental injustices they faced.
Educated at Government College Umuahia and the University of Ibadan, Saro-Wiwa initially worked as a government administrator before embarking on a distinguished literary career.
His novels, such as Songs in a Time of War and Sozaboy, satirized corruption and social issues in Nigeria. He also achieved widespread recognition for his television series, Basi and Company.
As president of MOSOP, Saro-Wiwa advocated for a fair share of oil revenues for the Ogoni people, political autonomy, environmental remediation, and compensation for past damages. His outspoken nature and MOSOP’s demands often led to his arrest and imprisonment.
Arrest and Execution
In 1994, despite his commitment to non-violent activism, Saro-Wiwa was arrested and charged with incitement to murder. His trial was widely condemned internationally as unfair and politically motivated.
Tragically, despite global protests and pleas for clemency, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders were executed by hanging in November 1995 under the military administration of President Sani Abacha (not Babangida as previously stated in the original text).
Reactions to the Pardon and Honours
The President’s decision has been met with positive reactions from various quarters.
Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Farouk Lawal, who represented Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency in Kano State from 1999-2015, hailed it as a “welcome development.”
Dr. Ken Nnamani, former President of the Senate (2005-2007), stated, “it is quite appropriate and well deserved. I say well-done to Mr. President.”
Hon. Henry Nwawuba, Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, expressed his delight, saying, “I am personally delighted with that of Ken Saro-Wiwa honours, I think the honours was well in order. I was expecting to see other names but I think the President said he is going to announce some more names outside of the chamber.”
Speaking on behalf of the Ogoni people, His Royal Highness Dr. Apolos Chu, also known as Oneh eh Nchia X, expressed gratitude for the recognition. “I’m an Ogoni man. I appreciate Mr. President for recognizing the efforts of Ken Saro-Wiwa,” he said. “We celebrate the organizers, the National Assembly who put all these together. It’s a message to all Nigerians to identify themselves with good ideas. Mr. President has engaged us by updating us on all what they have been doing.”