The Ogoni Youth Federation, OYF, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to bestow post-humous national honour on Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight other Ogoni matyrs, who were killed by the late General Sani Abacha-led military junta.
The group in a statement by its President, Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana, also demanded for the release of Saro-Wiwa memorial bus allegedly impounded by the Nigeria Customs Service led by Col. Hamid Ali (retd), a member of the tribunal that executed Saro-Wiwa and eight others.
The statement reads, “It is also worthy to note that allies of the Ogoni people and Ken Saro-Wiwa in the United Kingdom led by an artist, Sokari Doughlas Camp created a bus in memory of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others.
“After being on display at various places in the United Kingdom for nine years, the bus was shipped from London to Nigeria via Lagos port. On arrival in Lagos, it was impounded by the Nigeria Customs Service on the orders of Col. Hamid Ali (retd), who was a member of the kangaroo tribunal that sentenced the renowned Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others otherwise known as Ogoni nine to death by hanging.
“All efforts by Ogoni youth and other pressure groups to get the bus released to Ogoni people have proved abortive.
“It’s our stern believe that the process of national healing and reconciliation will not be complete until the Nigerian Government bestow national honour and clears the names of the Ogoni nine.”
