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Tinubu’s Remembrance of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 8 Count for Little until Justice and Reconciliation is Allowed
Tinubu’s Remembrance of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 8 Count for Little until Justice and Reconciliation is Allowed
By: Michael Mike
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) have said eulogies by President Bola Tinubu of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni leaders hung in 1995 after they were sentenced to death by a tribunal, count for nothing until proper justice and reconciliation is allowed in the old rich Niger Delta region.
The CSOs, which include Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Corporate Accountability and Popular Participation Africa, People’s Advancement Centre,
Kabetkeche Women Development Resource Centre and Lekeh Development Foundation, in a statement on Tuesday said the statement on Monday 11 November 2024 by President Bola Tinubu through his media aide honouring the memory of Ogoni leaders including Ken Saro-Wiwa who were killed in 1995 for leading the fight for ecological justice in Ogoni and the Niger Delta, where the President stated; “We honour their memory by recognising the sacrifices made and pledging to strive for a future characterised by peace, justice, and sustainable development for all communities, particularly those in the Niger Delta.” And where he equally admitted that “the subsequent struggles of Ogoni leaders to protect their environment from harmful oil exploration were met with severe repression, culminating in the tragic execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other leaders in 1995,” was commendable but action to ensure succour of the people of the area would have made more impact and a proper memorial to the slain martyrs.
The statement read: “As frontline civil society organisations focused on environmental justice, we are delighted that the President has deemed it appropriate to honour the memory of these martyrs of ecological struggle. We are particularly delighted that the President recognizes that they were murdered because they fought to protect their environment from harmful oil extraction activities that had polluted their lands and rivers; and poisoned their people.
“For clarity, it is important to note that the Nigerian military junta headed by General Sani Abacha authorized the hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine. The nine were instrumental in mobilizing Ogonis under the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), and had issued a set of demands contained in the Ogoni Bill of Rights which included calls to the Nigerian government to clean up the Ogoni environment and restore livelihoods of the indigenous people who had suffered decades of reckless oil extraction by Shell.
“MOSOP had called global attention to the poverty, neglect and environmental destruction which decades of oil exploitation had bequeathed the Ogoni people. MOSOP demanded fairer benefits to the Ogoni people from oil, as well as remediation and compensation for the ecological damage caused by the activities of Shell. Their selfless mobilization and campaigning led to the 1993 expulsion of Shell from Ogoniland. The military government responded to this genuine concern with widespread militarization of Ogoniland and the Niger Delta region, mass killings, arson and the eventual executions that left the world outraged. The nine were murdered after the recommendations of a stage-managed tribunal and denied the opportunity to appeal.”
The statement added that: “The statement by the President is the first time since the unfortunate events of 1995 that a government has admitted to the injustice of the killings and repression of the Ogonis. However, it is important that the President goes further in this effort at reconciliation and justice.
“As civil society organisations, we have consistently demanded an admission that the quasi-judicial process which resulted in the conviction of the Ogoni 9 was a mockery of justice orchestrated by the military government with the active collaboration of Shell to quell community demands for resource and ecological justice. What we continue to demand is the complete exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 8. This is the only strategy that will bring closure to the thousands of Ogonis who were victims of government-driven repression characterized by murders, rape, torture and forced exile.
“It is important to also note that the body language and the actions of successive governments in Nigeria have not always indicated the need to reconcile and bring about closure. In 2015, a memorial artwork in the form of a bus, designed in memory of the executed Ogoni leaders by friends in the United Kingdom was confiscated by the Nigeria Customs Service. All appeals to the government to release this memorabilia, including an order by the National Assembly and a judgement by the Federal High Court in Lagos, was denied. The bus remains locked up by the Customs Service in Lagos for absolutely no reason beyond provocation.
“We are equally concerned that the Nigerian government continues to make frantic efforts to resume oil extraction activities in the oil wells located in Ogoni territory, after they were shut down in 1993. It is worrying that the government will decide to resume oil extraction when the pollution of the last decades is yet to be cleaned, and the recommendations of UNEP are yet to be fully complied with. How does one explain the fact that a site supposedly being cleaned up will resume full oil extraction activities with all the pollution that comes with it?
“We are deeply concerned about the neglect of key issues around ecological and social justice in Ogoniland. The world recognizes that the people of Ogoni have suffered unprecedented pains and losses on account of oil extraction. No apology has been rendered for the destruction of their environment, the killing of their people, the loss of their livelihoods, the destruction of their villages, the forced exile of their people and the murder of their leaders.These issues must be fully addressed and measures put in place to protect the environment from further devastation.”
The statement advised that: “Flowing from the foregoing, it is our recommendation that the government puts a stop to any attempt to resume oil activities in Ogoniland. It should rather concentrate on remediating the ecological disaster in the area, decommissioning aged oil infrastructure, replacing the lost livelihood of the people and securing justice for the countless Ogonis waiting for closure. We also call on the government to release the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Bus, a sculpture which was confiscated by the Nigeria Customs Service and has been detained for years now for no just cause. This is the time to learn from the Ogoni situation, take note of how difficult remediation and restoration processes can be and commence the steps needed to clean up the entire Niger Delta.”
Tinubu’s Remembrance of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 8 Count for Little until Justice and Reconciliation is Allowed
NIMC Reiterates Zero Tolerance for Misconduct, Says Modifications of NIN Data only Online
By: Michael Mike
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said it has no agents for modification of data and that it operates a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of extortion, falsification, or unethical practices by staff or licensed Front-End Partners.
The Commission made the announcement on Monday in a statement by its spokesman, Dr. Kayode Adegoke.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has been drawn to a media report alleging that some enrolment agents in Abuja are collecting money from applicants for falsification of dates of birth.
“For the records, all NIN data modifications are done online through the NIMC self-service modification portal – selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng – and no physical modification is allowed. NIMC does not have agents for modification of data and the Commission operates a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of extortion, falsification, or unethical practices by staff or licensed Front-End Partners.
“The public is hereby reminded to adhere to the approved statutory modification processes with official guidelines and fees. The Commission urge NIN holders to report any cases of extortion or misconduct through our official complaint channels:
(+234-9-134959433, 08155015388); actu@nimc.gov.ng; ieu@nimc.gov.ng
“NIMC reassures that the integrity of the National Identity Database remains secure and will continue to strengthen transparency, accountability, and trust in Nigeria’s identity management system.”
NIMC Reiterates Zero Tolerance for Misconduct, Says Modifications of NIN Data only Online
News
Nasarawa Hosts Nigeria’s First Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, Driving Green Economy Prospects
Nasarawa Hosts Nigeria’s First Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, Driving Green Economy Prospects
By: Michael Mike
Nasarawa State has emerged as the pioneer host of Nigeria’s first Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, a landmark project under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) that signals the country’s resolve to address air pollution while unlocking new socio-economic opportunities.
The centre, jointly facilitated by the Federal Government, Nasarawa State Government, and private sector partners, is expected not only to curb harmful vehicular emissions but also to generate employment, boost revenue, and position Nigeria as a regional leader in environmental compliance.
Representing the Minister of Environment at the commissioning, Permanent Secretary Mahmud Kambari described the facility as a strategic intervention to safeguard lives and advance sustainable development.
He said: “Air pollution is a silent killer. It affects the quality of life, agricultural output, health and well-being of all citizens. Air contamination does not discriminate; it affects children, the elderly, workers, rich, poor and even unborn generations.”
He emphasized that the project aligns with international best practices, ensuring stricter regulation of vehicle emissions and reaffirming Nigeria’s global environmental commitments.
“Through the establishment of this Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, Nigeria is taking a bold step towards achieving better air quality by regulating vehicle maintenance, emissions and ensuring compliance with environmental standards as is applicable globally,” Kambari added.
The event also highlighted the power of partnerships in advancing environmental goals. Commending stakeholders, Kambari said: “I would like to commend Messrs Bhustan Energy, our principal partner on this project, for their unrelenting contributions to the success of today’s event. I also wish to thank the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State who… worked hand in hand with us to provide the site for the Centre.”
Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Dr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, echoed this sentiment, stressing that political will and collaboration were central to the project’s success.
She said: “Without the support, initiatives like this will not see the light of day… The visionary Governor of Nasarawa, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has taken the initial step by becoming the pioneer in what will eventually become a nationwide project.”
She further urged all stakeholders to safeguard the facility, stating that: “This Centre is a collective responsibility of all the people gathered here. It is our project and we must do all we can to ensure the safety of the equipment because it is for our collective good.”
Speaking for the Nasarawa state government, Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Environment, Hussain Usman underscored the socio-economic potential of the centre.
He said: “The state is ready to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Environment to fight the pollution through environmental tests to improve the air quality in the state,” adding that: “To provide employment, apart from that, also to generate more revenue for the state. This is very, very important to us in Nasarawa State.”
Nasarawa Hosts Nigeria’s First Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, Driving Green Economy Prospects
Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
The Adara Development Association (ADA) has expressed deep shock and sadness over a deadly attack by unknown gunmen on Wakeh community in Agunu Ward, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 7, 2025.
According to a statement by the ADA National Publicity Secretary, Livinus Paul Magaji, heavily armed attackers invaded the village, blocking entrance routes to prevent possible assistance from neighbouring communities.
The assault left eight people dead and nine others seriously injured. Victims were reportedly given mass burial, while the injured are receiving treatment at St. Gerald Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, Alheri Hospital, and Royal Hospital in Kachia. Several properties, including a bus, were destroyed, causing millions of naira in losses.
The association noted that such attacks have become increasingly frequent in Adara communities since, despite the presence of security in the area. ADA strongly condemned the violence, describing it as barbaric and inhumane.
“ADA leadership calls on the Kaduna State Government and other relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action to protect lives and property and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement said.
It added that the Adara community is ready to collaborate with government and security agencies to curb the ongoing attacks.
The association also extended condolences to the families of the victims, wishing speedy recovery to those injured, while urging residents to remain calm, vigilant, and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
ADA reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence and called on all indigenes and residents of Adara land to work with government and stakeholders to build sustainable peace in the region.
The Kaduna state government are yet to visit the affected communities or make any statement on the attack.
Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA
NIMC Reiterates Zero Tolerance for Misconduct, Says Modifications of NIN Data only Online
Nasarawa Hosts Nigeria’s First Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, Driving Green Economy Prospects
Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA
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