27 years after execution, group honours Saro Wiwa at COP27
The memory of the late Nigerian environmental activist, Ken Saro Wiwa, came alive again on Friday at COP27 in Egypt as Oilwatch group celebrated him, 27 years after his execution.
The Oilwatch group includes Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nigeria; Earthlife Johannesburg, Johannesburg; CAPPA, Africa; Kabetkache Women Development Centre, Nigeria and the Centre for Environmental Justice, Togo.
Mr Saro Wiwa was executed on November 10, 1995, alongside eight others by the then military government as a result of environmental activism over the oil exploration in the Ogoni area of the Niger Delta.
Nnimmo Bassey, an Environmental Activist and the Director of HOMEF, said the spirit of the late activist lived on; and the struggle they led continued to inspire the resistance to ecological crimes by extractive companies in Nigeria and around the world.
“Today, we remember Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight Ogoni leaders who were wrongfully executed by the Nigerian state on Nov. 10, 1995.
“We also call to mind the several earth and human rights defenders who have been martyred across the world by, or for, fossil fuel and mining corporations.
“Blood has flown, our lands have been polluted, and the world is heating. We demand justice for our heroes.
“A halt to dependence on fossil fuels — the real climate action— and a restoration of all polluted lands and reparation for ecocide,” he said
Makoma Lakelakala of Earthlife on her part, said “as the world discusses the deteriorating climate concerns at the ongoing COP27, the need to shift away from dirty energy has never been more urgent.
“In honour of climate protectors whose lives were brutally cut short, the UNFCCC needs to have a clause in the negotiated climate convention that ensures protection of those upholding the rights of nature, planet and people.”
Celestine Akpobari, Team Leader at Peoples Advancement Centre, Nigeria, said the occasion was meant to remind the world that the situation of things in Ogoni was far worse than they were in the days of Ken Saro-Wiwa.
“It has been said during this climate change conference that the world is on a speed lane to climate hell, but I want to say that Ogoni people have been there all these years,” said Mr Akpobari.
He noted that the planned resumption of oil operations in Ogoniland should be halted as it was capable of provoking conflict, saying the group resisted the new scramble for African oil and gas.
Emem Okon, Director, Kabetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Nigeria, noted: “As we remember Ken Saro-Wiwa and other martyrs today, we pledge to carry on with their messages.”
She stressed the need for all polluted areas to be cleaned up and polluters held accountable for their ecological crimes in communities across the world.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Anti-Corruption
Yahaya Bello withdrew $720,000 from Kogi treasury to pay child’s school fees in advance: EFCC Chair
At an interactive session with media executives on Tuesday, Mr Olukoyede said Mr Bello used the money to pay his child’s school fees in advance.
Politics
Ondo APC Primary: Jimoh Ibrahim, female aspirant petition election appeal committee
Wale Akinteriwa, Gbenga Edema, and Jimi Odimayo, who contested the election, had filed petitions earlier on Monday over the poll’s conduct and result.
States
Delta Assembly confirms chairman of state pension bureau, two others
In his remarks, the speaker commended the lawmakers for their contributions to successfully screening the nominees.
Opinion
Jason Baker: A dangerous animal torturer and killer must be stopped
But if “Enenie nwa ite” is allowed to continue torturing, maiming, burning, crushing, and slaughtering animals, the detrimental repercussions will be profound.
Ibadan
Court jails two for illegal currency trading in Ibadan
The SSS prosecutor, T.A. Nurudeen, told the court that the convicts were being tried for unlawful currency trading.
World
Taliban court orders public whipping of two men accused of robbery
The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan has seen the reintroduction of public punishments, including execution and flogging, for various crimes.