If the late environmental rights activist and leader of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, Ken Saro-Wiwa was alive, he would have been 74 years old on October 10.

*Ken Sarowiwa: Died in the struggle for Ogoni people

Moreso, today, (Tuesday, November 10), marked exactly 20 years since Saro-Wiwa was executed with eight other Ogoni leaders by the military government of late General Sani Abacha.

Against this backdrop, Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro Felix Obuah, has said that the Ogoni people deserve special commendation for their sacrifice and the role they played in paving the way for the nation’s nascent democracy.

Obuah, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, congratulated the Ogoni people, noting that though Saro-Wiwa and others killed in controversial circumstances by the late Sani Abacha during his days as military ruler are dead, they still live on, having left a lasting legacy and everlasting memories in the hearts of Nigerians.

He described the death of these Ogoni heroes as the seed of democracy and respect for humanity in Nigeria today.

Bro Obuah noted that it was in appreciation of the contributions and sacrifice of the Ogonis, that the State Governor, Chief Barr Nyesom Wike, renamed the State Polytechnic, Bori, to Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, and appointed worthy Ogoni sons and daughters into positions of trust and responsibility in his administration.

He further commended the Ogoni people for their understanding, patience and love for Governor Wike as demonstrated by their massive votes for him in the last general elections.

The State PDP boss urged the Ogoni people not to relent in their trust and support for Gov Wike, assuring that their great sacrifices and self denials for the progress and development of our State and country will never be in vain as their welfare will continue to be among Gov Wike’s top priorities.