All Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists in Abuja, the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will observe a 1-minute silence in honour of late Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni eight that were hanged by the Nigerian government 25 years ago on November 10.
In a press release jointly signed by XR Abuja Coordinator, Mr. David AllGreen Fiase and its Media Coordinator, Mr. Lubem Gena, the environmental activists global network said 10th November should be observed with sober reflection by all concerned about the plight of the environment.
The release further adds that though Saro-Wiwa and his comrades are long gone, the ideal which they stood has formed the basis of agitations in the Niger Delta region which the government must address.
Part of the statement reads: “Today, we stand in solidarity with Saro-Wiwa and the legacy of selfless service to humanity which he was known for.
“10th November is the 25th anniversary of his death by hanging by the General Sani Abacha led government of Nigeria, and we urge all lovers of the environment to stand-still for one minute at midday, in total silence to honour his soul and blessed memory.”
“XR believes that he died in very unfortunate circumstances but acknowledges the rare energy he injected into the struggle for a sustainable environment as well as the seeds he has sown in that direction throughout the oil-rich but massively impoverished Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
“Today, we join other millions of his family, circle of friends, kinsmen and all lovers of the environment to roundly remember him, 25 years on”.
It is on record that Kenule Beeson popularly known “Ken” Saro-Wiwa was a Nigerian writer, television producer, environmental activist, and winner of the Right Livelihood Award for “exemplary courage in striving non-violently for civil, economic and environmental rights” and the Goldman Environmental Prize.
He was executed by the military regime in Nigeria in 1995 owing to his activism towards holding Shell, the Royal Dutch oil company, to account for the overwhelming environmental degradation in the deceased’s native tribe of Ogoni is Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Extinction Rebellion is a global environmental movement with the stated aim of using nonviolent civil disobedience to compel government action to avoid tipping points in the climate system, biodiversity loss, and the risk of social and ecological collapse.
