By Egufe Yafugborhi

THE Saro-Wiwa Family and the Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation have described as “fake news”, a viral report with a photograph proclaiming reconliation and collaboration have been reached between Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), now operating as Renaissance and the family as well as Ogoni people of Rivers state.

The concern was raised by Owens Wiwa, a medical doctor, rights activist and brother to late Ogoni leader Ken Saro-Wiwa who was executed with eight other kinsmen in struggle for Ogoni emancipation.

Formerly known as SPDC, Renaissance emerged March 13, 2025, following landmark assets acquisition by Renaissance Africa Energy Holding Company Limited (“Renaissance Holdco”), a British Virgin Island incorporated company.

Renaissance Holdco is jointly owned by a consortium of four (4) Nigerian, and one (1) international companies, namely ND Western Limited; Aradel Energy Limited; Waltersmith Petroleum Development Company Limited; First Exploration and Petroleum Development OML 34 Limited; and Petrolin Trading Limited.

According to Dr. Owens Wiwa, “The Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation is aware of a fake news item and stage managed photograph that purport to proclaim Record of Restorative Reconciliation and Collaboration in Ogoniland”

“The Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation and the Wiwa family totally disclaim this stage-managed incident. The tree planting was not authorised, and Zina Saro-Wiwa was tricked into attending the event by the charade’s facilitator, who was relieved of his duties following this atrocious act. The Foundation has since uprooted the offensive trees planted.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ken Saro-Wiwa family and the Foundation have not had any sort of reconciliation with Shell or its new name (Renaissance). Both entities remain persona non grata in Ogoni. 

“SPDC, now Renaissance, must clean up the Ogoni environment completely and must be held accountable for the killings that took place in Ogoni by the Nigerian army whom were made to kill and pacify the Ogonis so oil drilling could recommence.”

“The effort by HYPREP (Hydrocarbon Remediation Program) to clean up the land and rivers is a good first step. This must be complemented by a political discussion to create a Bori State for the Ogonis. It is only when the Nigerian government starts this discussion that the process of healing can start.”

He added that, “The Nigerian State at a minimum owes the Ogoni people a pathway to autonomy so that Ogonis can participate in the control of their resources.  

“A dialogue and confidence building measure based on the creation of Bori state within Nigeria is needed right now for reconciliation.

“Stage-managed photography surreptitiously set up and propagated by agents of Shell and security operatives will not deceive the Ogoni peoplep who will not capitulate to their decapitation and obnoxious efforts.”