By Ebunoluwa Sessou

More than 707 youth leaders under the auspices of All Ethnic Nationalities have called on the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to ensure immediate solutions to the groans and environmental issues of the Niger Delta communities.

Describing the legacy of late Kenule Beeson “Ken” Saro-Wiwa, as an unforgettable momentum, the groups while celebrating Ken Saro-Wiwa’s 29th anniversary on November 10 reflected on the positive contributions he made to fight against corruption especially in the Niger Delta region.

In their efforts to continue to remember the legacy of the environmental activist, the groups through their leaders President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, Aare Oladotun Hassan Esq, Chairman, Central Planning Committee of the Indigenous Youth Council of Ogoni People, Com. Matthew Dighi and President of the Rivers State Youth Congress, Com. Gloria Amieyeofiri Obomanu in a statement concluded plans to collaborate with the Rivers State Government to hold a maiden conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Capital on 23rd November, 2024, in honour of the outstanding landmarks and legacies of the late Niger Delta struggle Icon.

Commiserating with Ken Saro-Wiwa’s family, and the entire people of Niger Delta and the Nigerian nation at large, the groups have continued to advocate for the upward review of the PIA 3% to 30% benefits for the oil producing communities.

The group have also demanded for swift intervention on escalating high cost of living crisis, agricultural mechanised farming through the establishment of the National Agricultural Economic Development Zone Scheme, 35% Education Budget Allocation, 25% Allocation to youth development, 15% Derivatives Allocation for the Traditional Institutions, establishment of the Federal Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs and reduction in the prices of fuel PMS to N200 per litre among others.

The statement reads: “Nigeria is still confronted with the same issues of corruption and recurring oil and gas sector via PIA to adequate provision of Petroleum to citizens at affordable rates, without the monumental havoc created by the subsidy regime.

“Based on historical records, Ken Saro-Wiwa was gruesomely hanged alongside 8 other Ogoni leaders on 10th of November, 1995 after a premeditated trials consequently leading to the trumped up charges of murder before a special military tribunal set up by the late Sani Abacha led Military junta.

“Regrettably, this heinous state murder was retribution for their non-violent campaign against Shell and other oil multinationals who were extracting crude oil from Ogoni lands and the Niger Delta communities as a whole, while causing environmental degradation like pollution of farmlands, streams and waterways that devastated the livelihoods of the people in the area ruthlessly without any compensation.

“The Abacha military junta acting in its own interests and that of Shell and multinationals saw Saro Wiwa as a threat hence his trial on trumped up charges and execution. Their killing led to an intense local and international campaign against Shell and the Abacha government.

“One of the by-products of the execution of Saro-Wiwa was the eruption of militancy in the Niger Delta in the years that followed as many youth in the area interpreted the execution as a sign that non-violence does not work and only armed struggle could confront the Nigerian state”, they said.

With the theme, “Emboldening A new Nigeria of Our Dream” the event is expected to witness the presence of former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR as h delivers the keynote address while the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Special Guest of Honour.