Honoring Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Legacy: Youth Leaders Demand Change and Announce the 100 Heroes Leadership Awards

On the 29th anniversary of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s tragic passing, Nigerian ethnic nationalities youth leaders are gathering to pay tribute to the iconic environmentalist and champion of Niger Delta rights. Organized in collaboration with the Rivers State Government, this year’s remembrance includes the launch of the All Nigerian Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders’ Conference, to be held on November 23, 2024, in Port Harcourt.

The annual conference is fixed for Monday November 25 at the Dr Obi Wali International Conference center, G.U Eke Road, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State by 11am.

As hundreds of youth leaders come together, they are not only honoring Saro-Wiwa’s legacy but also issuing a call for change, accountability, and justice for the Niger Delta region.

The anniversary of Saro-Wiwa’s execution by the Nigerian military regime in 1995 remains a painful reminder of the cost of speaking out against environmental injustice and the exploitation of oil-rich communities. Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders were sentenced to death following a controversial trial, accused of inciting violence despite their non-violent activism.

Their deaths brought global condemnation and sparked a movement for environmental and social justice that continues to inspire the Niger Delta’s struggle today.

This year’s conference theme, “Emboldening a New Nigeria of Our Dream,” resonates with the vision Saro-Wiwa held for a fairer, greener Nigeria.

The event will include the 100 Heroes Leadership Awards, honoring individuals who embody the spirit of advocacy, courage, and resilience that Saro-Wiwa championed. Among the honorees are former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Femi Falana SAN, Omoyele Sowore, and posthumous awards for trailblazers like Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Convened by groups such as the Indigenous Youth Council of Ogoni People, Arewa Youth Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, and the Ijaw Youth Council, the gathering seeks to amplify the demands of youth from Nigeria’s diverse ethnic backgrounds.

These youth leaders aim to use the platform to push for tangible policies that will directly benefit Nigeria’s oil-producing communities and advance national development. They are urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize the needs of the Niger Delta, address environmental damages, and revise the current Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to allocate more resources to affected communities.

The impact of oil extraction on the Niger Delta has been devastating: oil spills, pollution of water bodies, and loss of farmland have severely affected the livelihood and health of the people in the region. Youth leaders are demanding that the PIA’s current 3% provision for host communities be increased to 30%, ensuring a fair share of revenue for the people who bear the burden of oil extraction. They are also calling for the creation of a separate Ministry for Niger Delta Affairs and a South-South Development Commission to address regional issues without bureaucratic overlap.

This conference also serves as a platform to reject any calls for a return to military rule. As youth leaders from all over Nigeria rally under a unified voice, they emphasize the importance of democracy and denounce any support for a military takeover.

President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, Aare Oladotun Hassan Esq says: “We must not allow the sacrifices of people like Ken Saro-Wiwa to be in vain. We have fought for democracy, and now, more than ever, we must work within this system to bring about the change we need.”

The Niger Delta’s ongoing struggles serve as a stark reminder of the country’s broader socio-economic challenges. Youth leaders are advocating for policies that address not only environmental concerns but also economic stability and development. They have called for an increase in the education budget to 35%, a 25% allocation for youth development, and urgent interventions to tackle the rising cost of living.

For them, Saro-Wiwa’s vision goes beyond environmental protection—it extends to the empowerment of all Nigerians.

In honoring Saro-Wiwa, the youth leaders reaffirm their commitment to advocating for justice, accountability, and inclusive growth. The 100 Heroes Leadership Awards is their way of celebrating Nigeria’s most courageous voices and reminding the nation of the power of collective action. Among the awardees, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, will receive the “Pillar of Peace Hero Award” for his contributions to the Niger Delta.

As they remember Ken Saro-Wiwa’s fight, these youth leaders also issue a rallying cry for a better Nigeria. They call for an economic system that meets the needs of all Nigerians and a government that is responsive to the challenges faced by the country’s most vulnerable.

Saro-Wiwa Lives On. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!