By Uboh-Ekong Treasure
Nigeria today marks the 30th anniversary of the execution of environmental activist Ken Saro‑Wiwa and eight other members of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), collectively known as the Ogoni Nine.
The activists were executed on 10 November 1995 under the military regime of General Sani Abacha following a controversial trial that drew international condemnation. They had led peaceful campaigns against environmental degradation, human rights abuses, and the impact of oil operations, particularly those of multinational corporations, in Ogoniland, a major oil producing region in the Niger Delta.
In a statement, MOSOP urged for peace, unity, and renewed focus on development in Ogoniland, noting that decades of oil spills, gas flaring, and environmental pollution continue to affect local communities.
Earlier this year, the federal government under President Bola Tinubu granted a posthumous pardon to Saro‑Wiwa and the other eight activists. However, human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have criticised the pardon, insisting that the activists should be fully exonerated rather than simply pardoned.
“The legacy of Ken Saro‑Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine remains a symbol of environmental justice and the fight against exploitation,” MOSOP said. “Their courage continues to inspire the ongoing struggle for a safe, clean, and prosperous Ogoniland.”
The anniversary highlights the enduring challenges in the Niger Delta, including environmental degradation, social inequality, and the quest for justice for affected communities, while reaffirming the importance of protecting human rights and natural resources.
