Ogoni Indigenes Demand Recognition for Slain Leaders 31 Years After Execution

Indigenes of Ogoni in Rivers State are renewing calls for official recognition and justice for their slain leaders, 31 years after their execution.

The leaders, including the renowned activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, were executed on November 10, 1995, under controversial circumstances during Nigeria’s military dictatorship.

At a commemorative event held in Ogoni land, community leaders, activists, and youth groups urged the federal government to formally acknowledge the sacrifice of the Ogoni Nine and their struggle for environmental justice and human rights.

The Ogoni people lamented that despite global awareness and international support, their leaders have yet to receive due recognition in Nigeria’s official history, and the environmental degradation caused by decades of oil exploitation in the Niger Delta remains largely unaddressed.

“The sacrifice of our leaders was not in vain, but it is time Nigeria honors them properly. We demand government action to preserve their memory and address the environmental and social injustices still affecting our land,” said a representative of the Ogoni Youth Movement.

The event featured prayers, cultural displays, and calls for renewed activism to protect Ogoni land from ongoing ecological damage caused by oil exploration and spills.

Human rights groups have also urged the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to promote reconciliation and justice for the Niger Delta communities affected by decades of neglect and exploitation.

The anniversary serves as a solemn reminder of the high cost of activism in Nigeria and the continuing struggle of marginalized communities for recognition and sustainable development.