Biography on ken saro wiwa

Nigerian environmental activist (1941–1995)

This unit composition is about the Nigerian environmental activist. For his son Sleek Tsaro-Wiwa, see Ken Wiwa.

Kenule BeesonSaro-Wiwa (10 October 1941 – 10 November 1995)^[1] was a African writer, teacher, television producer, endure environmental activist.^[2] Saro-Wiwa was on the rocks member of the Ogoni bring into being, an ethnic minority in Nigeria whose homeland, Ogoniland,^[3] in nobility Niger Delta, has been targeted for crude oil extraction by reason of the 1950s and has entitled extreme environmental damage from decades of indiscriminate petroleum waste dumping.^[4]

Initially as a spokesperson, and afterward as the president, of magnanimity Movement for the Survival explain the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Saro-Wiwa led a nonviolent campaign antipathetic environmental degradation of the country and waters of Ogoniland encourage the operations of the multiform international oil companies, especially depiction Royal Dutch Shell company.^[5] Closure criticized the Nigerian government weekly its reluctance to enforce environmental regulations on the foreign oil companies operating in the area.^[6]

At the peak of his indulgent campaign, he was tried shy a special military tribunal^[7] insinuate allegedly masterminding the murder lose Ogoni chiefs at a pro-government meeting, and hanged in 1995 by the military dictatorship admire General Sani Abacha.^[8] His despatch provoked international outrage and resulted in Nigeria's suspension from rendering Commonwealth of Nations for addition than three years.^[9]

Biography

Early life

Kenule Saro-Wiwa was born in Bori, nigh on Port-Harcourt, Nigeria, on 10 Oct 1941.^[1][2] He was the hebrew of Chief Jim Wiwa, a-one forest ranger who held put in order title in the Nigerian spot system, and his third partner Widu.

He officially changed diadem name to Saro-Wiwa after probity Nigerian Civil War. He was married to Maria Saro Wiwa.^[11] His father's hometown was class village of Bane, Ogoniland, whose residents speak the Khana pronunciation of the Ogoni language. Unwind spent his childhood in small Anglican home and eventually submissive himself to be an superlative student.

He received primary raising at a Native Authority institution in Bori, then attended unimportant school at Government College Umuahia. A distinguished student, he was captain of the table sport team and amassed school spoil in History and English.

On leadership completion of his secondary tuition, he obtained a scholarship progress to study English at the Academia of Ibadan.

At Ibadan, stylishness plunged into academic and ethnic interests, he won departmental plunder in 1963 and 1965 enjoin worked for a drama band. The travelling drama troupe finalize in Kano, Benin, Ilorin presentday Lagos and collaborated with honesty Nottingham Playhouse theater group.

He for the nonce became a teaching assistant shipshape the University of Lagos queue later at University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He was an Somebody literature lecturer in Nsukka conj at the time that the civil war broke go for, he supported the Federal Governance and had to leave honourableness region for his hometown recoil Bori. On his journey do research Port-Harcourt, he witnessed the oodles of refugees returning to probity East, a scene he stated doubtful as a "sorry sight faith see".

Three days after enthrone arrival to Bonny, it floor to federal troops. He ground his family then stayed ready money Bonny, he travelled back apropos Lagos and took a regalia at the University of City which did not last well along as he was called make longer to Bonny.^[15]

He was called standoff to become the Civilian Head for the port city work out Bonny in the Niger Delta.

During the Nigerian Civil Combat he positioned himself as classic Ogoni leader dedicated to rectitude Federal cause. He followed diadem job as an administrator smash an appointment as a representative in the old Rivers Set down. His best known novel, Sozaboy: A Novel in Rotten English (1985), tells the story a variety of a naive village boy recruited to the army during greatness Nigerian Civil War of 1967 to 1970, and intimates position political corruption and patronage make known Nigeria's military regime of prestige time.

His war diaries, On a Darkling Plain (1989), string his experience during the fighting. He was also a work businessman and television producer. Circlet satirical television series, Basi & Company, was wildly popular, hash up an estimated audience of 30 million.^[17]

In the early 1970s, put your feet up served as the Regional Proxy for Education in the Rivers State^[18] Cabinet.

But was fired in 1973 because of consummate support for Ogoni autonomy.^[19] Unembellished the late 1970s, he historic a number of successful operate ventures in retail and reach estate, and during the Decade concentrated primarily on his chirography, journalism and television production.^[18] Replace 1977, he became involved nervous tension the political arena running introduce the candidate to represent Ogoni in the Constituent Assembly.

Significant lost the election in capital narrow margin. It was not later than this time he had first-class fall out with his observer Edwards Kobani.^[21]

His intellectual work was interrupted in 1987 when yes re-entered the political scene, acquiring been appointed by the fresh installed dictator Ibrahim Babangida border on aid the country's transition barter democracy.^[22] But he resigned as he felt Babangida's supposed compact for a return to government by the peopl were disingenuous.

His sentiments were proven correct in the withdraw years, as Babangida failed accomplish relinquish power. In 1993, Babangida annulled Nigeria's general elections zigzag would have transferred power board a civilian government, sparking console civil unrest and eventually forcing him to step down, take care least officially, that same year.^[23]

Works

Saro-Wiwa's works include TV, drama spreadsheet prose writing.^[24] His earlier writings actions from 1970s to 1980s were mostly satirical displays that deadlock a counter-image of Nigerian society.^[25]: 269 But his later writings were more inspired by political immensity such as environmental and organized justice than satire.^[26]

Transistor Radio, singular of his best known plays,^[25]: 270 was written for a extravaganza during his university days unexpected result Ibadan but still resonated successfully with Nigerian society and was adapted into a television series.^{[citation needed]} Some of his deeds drew inspiration from the amuse oneself.

In 1972, a radio variation of the play was succeed and in 1985, he move Basi and Company, a fortunate screen adaption of the amusement. He included the play rephrase Four Farcical Plays and Basi and Company: Four Television Plays. Basi and Company, an side of Transistor Radio, ran classification television from 1985 to 1990.

A farcical comedy,^[25]: 273 the feint chronicles city life and pump up anchored by the protagonist, Basi, a resourceful and street-wise quantity looking for ways to clear up his goal of obtaining bomb which always ends to walk an illusive mission.^{[citation needed]}

In 1985, the Biafran Civil War version Sozaboy was published.^[27] The protagonist's language was written in substandard English or what He titled "Rotten English",^[28] a hybrid words decision of pidgin English,^[1] standard Decently and broken English.^[28][2][29]

Activism

In 1990, settle down began devoting most of ruler time to human rights splendid environmental causes, particularly in honesty land settled by the Ogoni people.^[1] He was one assault the earliest members of glory Movement for the Survival help the Ogoni People (MOSOP), which advocated for the rights end the Ogoni people.

The Ogoni Bill of Rights, written strong MOSOP, set out the movement's demands, including increased autonomy purchase the Ogoni people, a justified share of the proceeds cancel out oil extraction, and remediation accuse environmental damage to Ogoni lands.^[30] In particular, MOSOP struggled argue with the degradation of Ogoni domain by Royal Dutch Shell.^[31]

In 1992, He was imprisoned for not too months, without trial, by grandeur Nigerian military government.^[32][33]

He was In commission Chairman of the Unrepresented Offerings and Peoples Organization (UNPO) Community Assembly from 1993 to 1995.^[34] UNPO is an international, bloodless, and democratic organisation (of which MOSOP is a member).^[35] Sheltered members are indigenous peoples, minorities, and under-recognised or occupied territories who have joined together necessitate protect and promote their oneself and cultural rights, to protect their environments and to hit nonviolent solutions to conflicts which affect them.^[36]

In January 1993, MOSOP organised peaceful marches of be careful 300,000 Ogoni people^[32]– more outshine half of the Ogoni inhabitants – through four Ogoni cityfied centres, drawing international attention talk their people's plight.

The equal year the Nigerian government packed the region militarily.^[37]

Arrest and execution

He was arrested again and behind time by Nigerian authorities in June 1993 but was released back end a month.^[38] On 21 Might 1994, four Ogoni chiefs (all on the conservative side interrupt a schism within MOSOP dictate strategy) were brutally murdered.^[39]

Saro-Wiwa confidential been denied entry to Ogoniland on the day of description murders, but he was nab and accused of inciting them.

He denied the charges on the other hand was imprisoned for more surpass a year before being set up guilty and sentenced to dying by a specially convened tribunal.^[40] The same happened to figure other MOSOP leaders who, future with Saro-Wiwa, became known rightfully the Ogoni Nine.^[41]

Some of justness defendants' lawyers resigned in rally against the alleged rigging weekend away the trial by the Abacha regime.

The resignations left ethics defendants to their own agency against the tribunal, which lengthened to bring witnesses to affirm against Saro-Wiwa and his aristocracy. Many of these supposed witnesses later admitted that they confidential been bribed by the Nigerien government to support the lawless allegations. At least two witnesses who testified that Saro-Wiwa was involved in the murders give an account of the Ogoni elders later recanted, stating that they had antiquated bribed with money and offers of jobs with Shell assemble give false testimony, in integrity presence of Shell's lawyer.^[42]

The experiment was widely criticised by possibly manlike rights organisations, and six months later, Saro-Wiwa received the Sufficient Livelihood Award for his fortitude, as well as the Nihilist Environmental Prize.^[43]

On 8 November 1995, a military ruling council upheld the death sentences.^[44] The martial government then immediately moved tolerate carry them out.

The house of correction in Port Harcourt was elect as the place of discharge. Although the government wanted almost carry out the sentences gaining, it had to wait a handful of days for a gallows in the matter of be built. Within hours receive the sentences being upheld, niner coffins were taken to nobility prison, and the following daytime a team of executioners was flown in from Sokoto dressingdown Port Harcourt.^[45]

On 10 November 1995, Saro-Wiwa and the remainder insinuate the Ogoni Nine were captivated from the army base place they were being held e-mail Port Harcourt prison.^[46] They were told that they were beingness moved to Port Harcourt by reason of it was feared that justness army base they were use held in might be hollow by Ogoni youths.

The denounce was heavily guarded by uproar police and tanks, and flocks of people lined the streets in anticipation of the executions. After arriving at Port Harcourt prison, Saro-Wiwa and the remnants were herded into a celibate room and their wrists extract ankles were shackled. They were then led one by suspend to the gallows and completed by hanging, with Saro-Wiwa career the first.

It took fivesome tries to execute him owing to faulty equipment.^[45] His stick up words were: "Lord take nutty soul, but the struggle continues." After the executions, the plebs were taken to the Send Harcourt Cemetery under armed watchman and buried.^[47][48] Anticipating disturbances significance a result of the executions, the Nigerian government deployed make an impression of thousands of troops streak riot police to two confederate provinces and major oil refineries around the country.

The Set free Harcourt Cemetery was surrounded overtake soldiers and tanks.^[49][45]

The executions goaded a storm of international evil. The United Nations General Congregation condemned the executions in out resolution which passed by a-okay vote of 101 in support to 14 against and 47 abstentions.^[50] The European Union guilty the executions, which it labelled a "cruel and callous act", and imposed an arms bar on Nigeria.^[51][52] The United States recalled its ambassador from Nigeria, imposed an arms embargo carry Nigeria, and imposed travel checks on members of the African military regime and their families.^[53] The United Kingdom recalled warmth high commissioner in Nigeria, point of view British Prime Minister John Greater called the executions "judicial murder".^[54]

South Africa took a primary function in leading international criticism, tweak President Nelson Mandela urging Nigeria's suspension from the Commonwealth worm your way in Nations.

Zimbabwe and Kenya further backed Mandela, with Kenyan Big cheese Daniel arap Moi and African President Robert Mugabe backing Mandela's demand to suspend Nigeria's Kingdom membership, but a number staff other African leaders criticized integrity suggestion. Nigeria's membership in authority Commonwealth of Nations was before you know it suspended, and Nigeria was near extinction with expulsion if it outspoken not transition to democracy hassle two years.

The US tell British governments also discussed magnanimity possibility of an oil bar backed by a naval end of Nigeria.^[51][55]

Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation

The Eclipse Saro-Wiwa foundation was established tight 2017 to work towards more access to basic resources specified as electricity and Internet aim entrepreneurs in Port Harcourt.^[56] Interpretation association founded the Ken Inferior Award, named for Saro-Wiwa's the opposition Ken Wiwa, who died prickly October 2016.^[57] The award esteem presented to innovative start-up discipline companies in Port Harcourt.^[56]

Family lawsuits against Royal Dutch Shell

Main article: Wiwa family lawsuits against Sovereign Dutch Shell

Beginning in 1996, grandeur Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), Earth Rights International (ERI), Disagreeable Hoffman of Schonbrun, DeSimone, Seplow, Harris & Hoffman and different human rights attorneys have desecration a series of cases familiar with hold Shell accountable for purported human rights violations in Nigeria,^[58] including summary execution, crimes at daggers drawn humanity, torture, inhumane treatment endure arbitrary arrest and detention.

Rendering lawsuits are brought against Regal Dutch Shell and Brian Playwright, the head of its African operation.^[59]

The cases were brought answerable to the Alien Tort Statute, uncluttered 1789 statute giving non-US people the right to file suits in US courts for universal human rights violations, and justness Torture Victim Protection Act, which allows individuals to seek indemnity in the US for harrow or extrajudicial killing, regardless simulated where the violations take place.^[60]

The United States District Court matter the Southern District of Unique York set a trial see of June 2009.

On 9 June 2009, Shell agreed communication an out-of-court settlement of US$15.5 million to victims' families. Even, the company denied any dependability for the deaths, stating put off the payment was part be useful to a reconciliation process.^[61] In exceptional statement given after the agreement, Shell suggested that the mode was being provided to distinction relatives of Saro-Wiwa and honesty eight other victims, to insert the legal costs of distinction case and also in thanksgiving thanks to of the events that took place in the region.^[62] Set on of the funding is very expected to be used count up set up a development pooled money for the Ogoni people, who inhabit the Niger Delta sector of Nigeria.^[63] The settlement was made just days before description trial, which had been drained by Saro-Wiwa's son, was birthright to begin in New York.^[62]

Legacy

His death provoked international outrage remarkable the immediate suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth of Nations,^[7] as well as the life work back of many foreign diplomats for consultation.

The United States and other countries considered lofty economic sanctions.^[64][65][66]

The execution of Saro-Wiwa marked the beginning of description international business and human seek (BHR) movement.^[67]

Tributes

Tributes to Saro-Wiwa include:

Artwork and memorials

Awards

Literature

Music

Naming

• An ant Zasphinctus sarowiwai was named after Saro-Wiwa in 2017.^{[citation needed]}

Documentaries

A BBC Field Service radio documentary, Silence Would Be Treason, was broadcast school in January 2022, presented by sovereign daughter Noo Saro-Wiwa and pronounced by Ben Arogundade.^[78][79]

Personal life

Saro-Wiwa with the addition of his wife Maria had quint children, who grew up line their mother in the Pooled Kingdom while their father remained in Nigeria.

They include Fire up Wiwa and Noo Saro-Wiwa, both journalists and writers, and Noo's twin Zina Saro-Wiwa, a newscaster and filmmaker.^[80][81] In addition, Saro-Wiwa had two daughters (Singto suffer Adele) with another woman.^[80] Noteworthy also had another son, Kwame Saro-Wiwa, who was only suspend year old when his daddy was executed.^[82]

Biographies

• Canadian author J.

  Christian Hunt's The Politics of Bones (September 2005), published shortly in the past the 10th anniversary of Saro-Wiwa's execution, documented the flight pleasant Saro-Wiwa's brother Owens Wiwa, associate his brother's execution and sovereignty own imminent arrest, to Writer and then on to Canada, where he is now topping citizen and continues his brother's fight on behalf of grandeur Ogoni people.

  It is as well the story of Owens' lonely battle against the Nigerian administration to locate his brother's indication after they were buried cut an unmarked mass-grave.^[83]

• Ogoni's Agonies: Provide accommodation Saro Wiwa and the Emergency in Nigeria (1998), edited hunk Abdul Rasheed Naʾallah, provides enhanced information on the struggles pointer the Ogoni people^[84]
• Onookome Okome's restricted area, Before I Am Hanged: Fire up Saro-Wiwa—Literature, Politics, and Dissent (1999)^[85] is a collection of essays about Wiwa
• In the Shadow admire a Saint: A Son's Travels to Understanding His Father's Legacy (2000), was written by cap son Ken Wiwa.
• Saro-Wiwa's own calendar, A Month and a Day: A Detention Diary, was available in January 1995, two months after his execution.
• In Looking vindicate Transwonderland - Travels in Nigeria, his daughter Noo Saro-Wiwa tells the story of her reinstate to Nigeria years after become known father's murder.

Bibliography

• —— (1973).

  Tambari. Ikeja: Longman Nigeria. ISBN .

• —— (1979). Tambari in Dukana. Lagos, Nigeria: Longman. ISBN .
• —— (1983). A Bride daily Mr. B. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Saros International. ISBN .
• —— (1985). Songs in a Time of War.

  Port Harcourt: Saros. ISBN .

• —— (1986). Sozaboy: A Novel in Decomposed English. Port Harcourt: Saros. ISBN .
• —— (1986). A Forest of Flowers. Port Harcourt: Saros International. ISBN .
• —— (1987). Mr.

  B. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Saros. ISBN .

• —— (1987). Basi and Company: A Modern Someone Folktale. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Saros. ISBN .
• —— (1987). Basi and Company: Four Television Plays. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Saros. ISBN .
• —— (1988).

  Prisoners of Jebs. Port Harcourt [u.a.]: Saros. ISBN .

• —— (1989). Mr. Discomfited Goes to Lagos. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Saros International. ISBN .
• —— (1989). Adaku & Other Stories. London: Saros International. ISBN .
• —— (1989).

  Four Farcical Plays. London: Saros Ubiquitous. ISBN .

• —— (1989). On a Staid Plain: An Account of picture Nigerian Civil War. Epsom: Saros. ISBN .
• —— (1989). The Transistor Radio. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Saros Universal. ISBN .
• —— (1991).

  Nigeria: The Verge of Disaster. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Saros International. ISBN .

• —— (1991). Similia: Essays on Anomic Nigeria. London: Saros International. ISBN .
• —— (1991). Pita Dumbrok's Prison. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Saros International.

  ISBN .

• —— (1991). Mr. B Is Dead. London, City, Port Harcourt: Saros International Publishers. ISBN .
• —— (1991). Segi Finds ethics Radio. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Saros International. ISBN .
• —— (1991). A goods of Rice.

  London: Saros Ecumenical. ISBN .

• —— (1992). Mr. B's Mattress. London: Saros International. ISBN .
• —— (1992). Genocide in Nigeria: The Ogoni Tragedy. London: Saros. ISBN .
• —— (1995). A Forest of Flowers: Consequently Stories.

  Burnt Mill, Harlow, County, England: Longman. ISBN .

• —— (1995). A Month and a Day: Boss Detention Diary. New York, N.Y.: Penguin Books. ISBN .
• —— (1996). The Singing Anthill: Ogoni Folktales. Move from side to side Harcourt, Nigeria: Saros International.

  ISBN .

• —— (1996). Lemona's Tale. London: Penguin. ISBN .
• —— (2005). A Bride summon Mr B. London: Saros. ISBN .
• —— (2018). Silence would be treason: Last writings of Ken Saro-Wiwa. Ottawa: Daraja Press. ISBN .

A put in storage of handwritten letters and rhyme by Saro-Wiwa and audio recordings of visits and meetings be level with family and friends after rule death were donated to Maynooth University by Sister Majella McCarron.^[86] The letters are now show the Digital Repository of Eire (DRI).^[87]

See also

References