A recent report by Bogumil Terminski of the University of Warsaw has shown that the Ogoni suffers the worst case of oil-induced violence in the world. A situation that had cost over 4,000 lives and threatened the survival of over 1million others. The soil, waters and air had been seriously polluted and a recent United Nations report had raised a serious alarm about the future of the Ogoni people.
All of these had happened to sustain Shell Petroleum Company’s oil revenue and put money in the pockets of Nigeria’s corrupt politicians.
21st May marked 18 years after the murder of four prominent Ogoni citizens in Giokoo, Kokana, Ogoniland. The murders had happened shortly after Nigerian military officers had recommended “ruthless wasting operations” to justify continued military presence in Ogoni and pave way for Shell return to Ogoni oilfields. Despite the heavy loss of lives, Shell continue to make efforts to return to Ogoni oilfields and resume oil drilling operations – the most outrageous case of insensitivity and social irresponsibility ever known in the world.
It is inconceivable that a company like Shell will still have to discuss a possible return to Ogoniland despite overwhelming and scientific proof of having endangered the lives of over 1,000,000 Ogoni people.
November 10 reminds us of the story of gross violation of the rights of the Ogoni people. November 10 is Ogoni heroes day – a day set aside to remember all the casualties of the Ogoni struggle for justice. Prominent among them are Dr. Barinem Kiobel, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Chief Edward Kobani, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, and John Kpuinen, Mr. Albert T. Badey, Chief Theophilus Orage and Chief Samuel Orage.
The story of these 13 Ogonis had been peculiar and most pathetic because they have been victims of Corporate and state sponsored persecution and violence. Their vibrant and productive lives had been cut short by a government which was meant to protect them. They had been killed for seeking justice in a highly tribal and divided society called Nigeria. A society that has been ridden with corruption and public fraud.
They have sought to snatch the victims from their rouge governors and heads of public institutions and a wicked corporate practice that had been established by Shell.
Their memorial will never end for their blood represent and obligation on the part of the living to sustain the course for justice they lived and died for. Their blood is a permanent dent on the corporate image of Shell and the Nigerian state. A dent that only justice, a genuine action resulting in a free Ogoni and the Nigerian state can remedy.
The Ogoni 13 will be remembered by posterity for their courage to stand in the face of a vicious Shell Oil Company to condemn genocide.
They are our heroes and represent the collective conscience of the Nigerian state. The Nigerian state cannot run away from the truth about the killing of Saro-Wiwa, Dr. Kiobel. John Kpuinen. Saturday Doobee, Albert Badey and others for their blood are on their palms. They were innocent, yet murdered for money. Murdered so that Shell’s corporate irresponsibility can be covered and perpetrated in Ogoniland.
November 10 is an unforgettable day in history – a black day with a promising future.
Rejoice Ogoni people for this persecution will pass and your light will shine again. Rejoice for your day is near. Rejoice for the morning with a new sun is rising.
May the souls of all the martyrs of the Ogoni struggle not rest until victory is won.
*This article is a republication as part of our Nov. 10th special editions to remember Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni8
