News
Saro-Wiwa: Ogoni Groups Threaten FG Over Seized Bus …Plan Protest ’Morrow
Two Ogoni groups have threatened a showdown with the Federal Government if it fails to release the Kenule Saro-Wiwa memorial bus allegedly impounded by the Nigeria Customs Service.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos, at the weekend, the Social Action and the Ogoni Solidarity Forum said, they had exhausted “all peaceful avenues” to secure the release of the bus.
The bus, a memorabilia donated by a UK group to the Ogoni people to mark the 20th anniversary of Saro-Wiwa’s death, was allegedly seized by the Nigeria Customs on September 8th.
It would be recalled that Saro-Wiwa was executed by a military tribunal set up by the Sani Abacha-led junta on November 10, 1995.
The current Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs, Hameed Ali, was a member of the tribunal which ordered the hanging of Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni environmental activists.
“For us, it’s just more tha n a make-shift steel bus, and we demand to have that bus back. We have exhausted every peaceful avenue we have got, and that’s why we are calling this meeting and telling you, that come the 9th of November, 2015, if the government does not release the property of the Ogoni people to the Ogoni people, the Ogoni people will take action,” the Senior Programme Manager, Social Action, Ken Henshaw, said.
“And we dare to say that economic activity around the area of the Ogoni nation, which includes the NNPC, and so on and so forth, will be stopped. The Ogoni people are fully mobilized. We have been the ones holding them back, that you don’t need to take this kind of action at this time. There is visible anger. We are being seen as traitors over this and we have made up our mind.
“We will take whatever action on the 9th of November. And this is our last attempt at appeal to the government – release what belongs to the Ogoni people to the Ogoni people. We are tired of this posture of belligerence with the Ogoni people, which the government of Nigeria ha s continued environmentally and physically since the 90s. And for us this is the last straw and it has broken the camel’s back.”
The groups’ threat came a day after the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) also threatened a protest if the Nigeria Customs fails to release the bus.
However, when our correspondent contacted the Nigeria Customs, the agency denied knowledge of the bus.
“A s I speak with you, I still don’t know in which Customs command this thing was done,” Spokesperson, Nigeria Customs, Wale Adeniyi, said over the phone.
“They just said Lagos port and I have called the two major ports in Lagos and they don’t seem to know about it. The Area Comptroller should know if such a thing exists.”
There are three major ports in Lagos – APMT at the Apapa port and TICT and Grimaldi at the Tin Can Island port.
When Adeniyi was told that the bus was being held at Grimaldi, he promised to call back in ten minutes, but he never called back.
Subsequent phone calls and a text message to his line were never responded to.
There is still no official reason why the bus, which had an inscription by Ken Saro-Wiwa during his trial – “I accuse the oil companies of genocide in Ogoniland” – on its side , is still being held at the Lagos port two months after its arrival from the UK.
Henshaw said his group and the Ogoni Solidarity Forum had written a petition weeks ago to Ali, the Customs boss, demanding the release of the bus.
“We have received no official response from Customs to our petition,” said Henshaw.
“So, as far as we know, our bus has been seized by the Nigerian government for many reasons one of which is an intentional aggression against the Ogoni people, second of which is an attempt to eliminate every memory of the struggle of Ken Saro-Wiwa from the history of this country.
After the bus arrived in Lagos, Henshaw, accompanied by another Niger Delta activist and National Coordinator, Ogoni Solidarity Forum, Nigeria, Celestine Akbobari, and Aremu Abiodun, a clearing agent, went to the Grimaldi terminal to clear the bus.
“We were taken to the office of the Valuation Officer, the Customs officer in charge of valuation, Aina Moyo,” Akpobari, said.
“And he told us right there in his office that ‘the shadow of Ken Saro-Wiwa can kill somebody. I don’t want to get myself involved in the release of this one, especially now that Buhari is on seat. If it were before I can just release this bus now. You will have to go to Abuja. You, you know that the shadow of Ken Saro-Wiwa can even sack somebody from work. My work is important to me.’
“We went to Abuja and stayed in Abuja for over two weeks, meeting with people. The same thing happened. Important people, great people that we respect that we thought would have helped us , they were afraid. Even Ogoni people that are senior Customs officers ran away.
“And this is just an art work. Non-motorized. So, the question here is why are they afraid of an artwork? And if they can waive billions of dollars for people like Dangote, is it an artwork donated for struggle that people are beginning to play drama with?
“We feel that the world should begin to know because we had been handling this matter with kid gloves. “
Akpobari said that the bus is important for the 20th anniversary commemoration of Saro-Wiwa’s death, which holds on November 10th.
“The bus is a living memorial that was donated in honour of Ken by some activists in the UK,” he said.
“That bus has been in the UK moving from one city to another and during our visit to the UK two years ago, we pleaded with the owners that this thing was not meant to be in London forever. That it was planned that at some point it will move to its permanent abode in Nigeria which is Ogoni. And they agreed that ok the 20th anniversary will be the best time to move it.”
Henshaw said that a place – an erected pavement – had already been created for the bus at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Centre in Bori, an Ogoni community in Rivers State.
“We are trying to use this bus as a bridge, as a point of solidarity, as a point of commitment that whatever ills was committed, that we can fix this,” Henshaw added.
“The bus is more than just an artifact. It’s a symbol of brotherhood, an edifice that represents the global solidarity with the people of Ogoniland.
“We intend to make the inside of that bus a resource centre that will inspire different people who intend to carry out struggles for human and environmental justice just the way Ken Saro-Wiwa did,” he added.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi