The largest gathering of All Nigerian Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders in collaboration with the Rivers State Government, while preparing for her maiden Conference slated for Port Harcourt, Rivers State Capital on 23rd November, 2024, specifically preserved in honour of the outstanding landmarks and legacies of the late Niger Delta struggle Icon Kenule Beeson – Ken Saro-Wiwa, we therefore commiserate with the Ken Saro-Wiwa’s family, the good people of the oil rich region of the Niger Delta and the Nigerian nation at large, as we strive to celebrate his iconic legacies today 10th November 2024, which marks the 29th anniversary of the state murder of Kenule Beeson “Ken” Saro-Wiwa – a Nigerian writer, teacher, television producer, and environmental activist from Ogoni land in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta.
As over 707 Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders converge together; being jointly coordinated by the indigenous Youth Council of Ogoni People, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide, Arewa Youth Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders, Ijaw Youth Council, Isoko Youth Council, Nigerian Youth Coalition (NYC); being the apex coalition umbrella body of the over 707 Nigerian Civil Society, NGOs, Political, Socio-cultural and Ethnic Nationalities Youth Organisations, committed to ensuring protection of rights and privileges of Nigerian Youths towards the preservation of peace and national development is pleased to use this medium to invite all Ethnic youth organisations and critical stakeholders to this epochal annual Conference, slated for Saturday 23rd November, 2024 at the prestigious MAIN AUDITORIUM of the DR OBI WALI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, G.U EKE ROAD, PORTHARCOURT, RIVERS STATE BY 11A.M. with the THEME: “EMBOLDENING A NEW NIGERIA OF OUR DREAM” IN HONOUR OF 29TH YEARS ANNIVERSARY OF KEN SARO-WIWA / 100 NIGERIA HEROES AWARDS, while the former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR is expected to deliver the keynote address and the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the Special Guest of Honour respectively.
Based on historical records, Ken Saro-Wiwa was gruesomely hanged alongside 8 other Ogoni leaders on 10th of November, 1995 after a premeditated trials consequently leading to the trumped up charges of murder before a special military tribunal set up by the late Sani Abacha led Military junta.
Regrettably, this heinous state murder was retribution for their non-violent campaign against Shell and other oil multinationals who were extracting crude oil from Ogoni lands and the Niger Delta communities as a whole, while causing environmental degradation like pollution of farmlands, streams and water ways that devastated the livelihoods of the people in the area ruthlessly without any compensation.
The Abacha military junta acting in its own interests and that of Shell and multinationals saw Saro Wiwa as a threat hence his trial on trumped up charges and execution. Their killing led to intense local and international campaign against Shell and the Abacha government. One of the by-products of the execution of Saro-Wiwa was the eruption of militancy in the Niger Delta in the years that followed as many youth in the area interpreted the execution as a sign that non-violence does not work and only armed struggle could confront the Nigerian state. This confirms the saying that “Those who make peace revolution impossible make violent ones inevitable”, however the thankfully various leaders of the Niger Delta militants are now gainfully engaged, trained and useful to the communities, yet it is not yet uhuru, the good people of Niger Delta use this medium to reiterate their call for the separate Ministry of Niger Delta and South South Development Commission, inorder to avoid overlap and gross abuse of privileges, which abinitio belongs exclusively to the region.
29 years after this tragic event, Nigeria is still confronted with same issues of corruption and recurring oil and gas sector viz PIA to adequate provision of Petroleum to citizens at affordable rates,without the monumental havocs created by the subsidy regime, we must acknowledge the failed economic system inherited by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government. However, we call on the President to ensure immediate solutions to the groans and environmental issues of the Niger Delta communities, while we advocate for the upward review of the PIA 3% to 30% benefits for the oil producing communities, swift intervention on escalating high cost of living crisis, agricultural mechanised farming through the establishment of the National Agricultural Economic Development Zone Scheme, 35% Education Budget Allocation, 25% Allocation to youth development, 15% Derivatives Allocation for the Traditional Institutions, establishment of the Federal Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs and reduction in the prices of fuel PMS to N200 Per Letre to mention a few.
We are bold to say that on no account should the military junta be allowed to rule Nigeria again, while laconically condemning those advocating for the return of the military to power, hence it is absurdly crude and undemocratic, especially knowing fully well the current President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Shehu Sanni and other vanguard voice of the voiceless through NADECO and other civil society organizations played pivotal huge roles in the struggle against militaty rule and enthronement of Democracy in Nigeria.
We are ready to use this platform to address several burning issues in the polity, in relation to the exploitation and exploration of the oil rich region of the Niger Delta since 1976 till date, PIA and eqaully work as partners in progress via working hand-in-hand with the government at all levels to address several issues bordering on Critical Sectors of the Economy, Education,
Security, Youth Engagements and National Development, alongside any other ancillary matters of
mutual national importance and interests respectively.
While we pay tribute to the memory of Ken Saro-Wiwa today, we all have a duty to stand against any attempt to take Nigeria back to military rule. what we need is for President Tinubu to reverse the fuel price hike, electricity tariff hike, currency devaluation and other matters of regional and national interests, that are creating the escalating cost of living crisis.
Rather we need pro-people policies and a Socialist plan of Nigeria’s economy to meet people’s needs.
Hence, we are looking forward to use this epochal All Nigerian Ethnic Nationalities Youth Conference in honour Ken Saro-Wiwa to present and honour 100 Distinguished Heroes Leadership Awards to deserving personalities from all works of life led by His Excellency, Sir Siminialayi Fubara. FCA, Executive Governor of Rivers State who doubles as the Chief Host and recipient of the “Pillar of Peace Hero Award”, other recipients of this prestigious Heroes Awards are:
H.E, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR, Omoyele Sowore, Deji Adeyanju, Femi Falana SAN, Chief Ateke Tom, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, Chief Pius Ayim Pius, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, posthumous awards to Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Onyeka Owenu, Chief Obafemi Awolowo to mention a few, while we discuss mutually on various issues of National interests through constructive engagements and dialogue.
Saro-Wiwa Lives On…
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Aare Oladotun Hassan Esq, Convener / President, Yoruba Council Worldwide.
Com. Matthew Dighi (Indigenous Youth Council of Ogoni People),
Chairman, Central Planning Committee,
+2347062164960.
Com. Gloria Amieyeofiri Obomanu (President, Rivers State Youth Congress) , Secretary, Central Planning Committee.
07036164316.
