Ken Saro-Wiwa: his last interview, part I

Posted by http://www.remembersarowiwa.com/ - this rare interview with the writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa was screened in late November 1995 on Channel 4. Saro-Wiwa led the Ogoni people of Nigeria in their non-violent struggle to stop the multinational oil companies, like Shell, destroying their land and livelihood. This is the last recorded interview where Saro-Wiwa speaks about the politics of oil, art in society and the Niger Delta crisis. On 10th November 1995, Saro-Wiwa and eight of his colleagues were executed by the Nigeria military government following a flawed trial. You can find out more about the Ogoni struggle here: http://www.remembersarowiwa.com/

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Ken Saro-Wiwa
• Nigeria
• Oil
• Niger Delta
• Ogoni
• Ogoniland
• Art
• shell
• writers
• human rights

[bizzy17]

Shameful that this video only has so few views. Ken Saro Wiwa's story and the story of the Ogoni people needs more exposure and understanding.

Thank you so much for posting this.

[lukelife88]

Well ... I did not understand much of what Ken Saro-Wiwa said in the interview because I am Italian, but from what I understand, and I read his biography, I realized one thing, injustice and corruption and idiocy!, what's in this world, he wanted the oil profits go to 50% for Nigeria, not to close completely the oil installations, now I have to try to get me a copy because I want SOZABOY carry as my last final exam at secondary school level,REMEMBE KEN SARO-WIWA!!!!

[AdeToz]

@blengike abeg you seem high on some tribalistic brouhaha, I tell you my friend, the day the divisive tribes of Africa get over their small mindedness, that day we'll shake the world. The day we judge each not on our culture, language or tribes, Africans and Nigerians would experience a glorious dawn but before then...Tribalistic chauvinist like you need to shut up and leave the future of our nation to those who are ready to work together regardless of tribe and ethnicities.

[AdeToz]

@blengike i'll ignore the bit where you called me a criminal and jump straight right to the bit where your shallow mind prevents you from seeing that my argument is not pro yoruba or anti igbo. The truth is I don't bloody care where the resources of Nigeria hails from. The real problem you should be addressing is why is our country still in the quagmire it is despite the wealth of its resources (human and natural) and please I don't have time for shallow minded tribalistic Nigerians like you.

[blengike]

@AdeToz Who exploited Ogoni in fifty years? = Hausa-fulani Islamic Jihadist genocidists and yoruba conniving oligarchs. But some fools in the minority ethnic groups still wanna point at the innocent, victimized, exploited Igbo. Idiots forever! I can't wait for these people to leave together in their own one-nigeria while Biafra goes its own way. These people ae driven by primordial instincts of hatred and jealousy and that is what unifies evil Nigeria against Igbo. God's judgment surely comes.

[blengike]

@AdeToz Criminals like you keep angling to maintain your Yoruba parasitic position on minority resources by stirring up the major evil that unifies the rest of NIGERIA - Unjustified hatred for the Igbo - who actually have their own oil which nigeria also exploits. Why do these minorities who hate Igbo still stand against nigeria's dis-integration? Won't it be of benefit if Ogoni, Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ekoi, Isoko etc go with their oil and leave Igbo alone? Who exploited Ogoni at last?

[BAJALA1]

Ken- Saro Wiwa was a great man

[MrIrishBilly]

R.I.P. Ken

[AdeToz]

@Nnfefe u see this seige mentality is at the heart of the social disease that is crippling our country and it is what still makes African nations look like children in comparison to other nations in the world.

[Nnfefe]

AdeToz: Saro Wiwa and Co. bought the propaganda that Igbos wanted their oil hence he sided with the northerners who took his life. Igbos were very quiet in all this time as a payback to those that conived against them. In a twist of ironies, massive oil fields have been found in Imo and Anambra not to mention Abia. The prospect of close alliance is unattainable just as the Igbo must fight his fight alone and others must do likewise.