ππ‘π πππ¨π«π² π¨π ππ π¨π§π’ πππ§π & ππ‘π ππ’ππ ππ§π πππππ‘ π¨π πππ§ πππ«π¨-ππ’π°π
PART I
PART I
Shell started producing oil in the Delta in 1958. In 1970 the first seeds of the current conflict were sown when Ogoni Chiefs handed a petition to the local Military Governor complaining
about Shell, then operating a joint venture with BP.
about Shell, then operating a joint venture with BP.
According to the petition, the company was βseriously threatening the well-being, and even the very livesβ of the Ogoni. That year there was a major blow-out at the Bomu oilfield in Ogoni. It continued for three weeks, causing widespread
pollution and outrage.
pollution and outrage.
By the eighties other communities were beginning to protest. The Iko people wrote to Shell in 1980 demanding βcompensation and restitution of our rights to clean air, water and a viable
environment where we can source for our means of livelihood.β
environment where we can source for our means of livelihood.β
Two years later, when the Iko
organised a peaceful rally against Shell, the company called the police3. In 1987, when the Iko once again held a peaceful demonstration against Shell, the notorious Mobile Police Force
(MPF), locally known as βkill-and-goβ was called.
organised a peaceful rally against Shell, the company called the police3. In 1987, when the Iko once again held a peaceful demonstration against Shell, the notorious Mobile Police Force
(MPF), locally known as βkill-and-goβ was called.
In August 1990, the Ogoni elders signed the Ogoni Bill of Rights, which called for βpolitical control of Ogoni affairs by Ogoni people, control and use of Ogoni economic resources for Ogoni development, adequate and direct representation as of right for Ogoni people in Nigerian.
That year the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), a non-violent action group, was formed.
Community protests against Shell continued to spread across the Delta. Next was the turn of the
Etche at Umuechem.
Community protests against Shell continued to spread across the Delta. Next was the turn of the
Etche at Umuechem.
In response to a peaceful demonstration, Shell specifically requested the
presence of the MPF6, who subsequently massacred up to 80 people and destroyed nearly 500 homes.
presence of the MPF6, who subsequently massacred up to 80 people and destroyed nearly 500 homes.
By the early 90s, the Ogoni, led by Saro-Wiwa, were beginning to seek international help for their plight. By now, Saro-Wiwa, who was primarily an author and businessman, was spending more of his time abroad, including in the US and UK, drumming up support for the Ogoni.
In August 1991, exactly a year after first being signed, the Ogoni Bill of Rights was amended to authorize MOSOP to make an appeal to the international community for assistance, after they had received no reply from the Nigerian military government of General Ibrahim Babanngida
In July 1992, Saro-Wiwa addressed the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Peoples in Geneva. βI speak on behalf of the Ogoni people. You will forgive me if I am somewhat emotional about this matter.
I am Ogoni β¦ Petroleum was discovered in Ogoni in 1958 and
since then an estimated 100 billion dollars worth of oil and gas has been carted away from
Ogoniland. In return for this the Ogoni people have received nothing.
since then an estimated 100 billion dollars worth of oil and gas has been carted away from
Ogoniland. In return for this the Ogoni people have received nothing.
Saro-Wiwa wrote about how he had watched helplessly as the Ogoni had βbeen gradually ground to dust by the combined effort of the multi-national oil company, Shell Petroleum Development Company, the murderous ethnic majority in Nigeria and the countryβs military dictatorshipsβ
He also wrote of Shellβs double standards, comparing the standards of its Nigerian operations to its European ones. Because of this, and the affect oil was having on the Ogoni, he accused Shell of genocide and racism. Which was boiling anger from the military regimes.
By the Autumn of 1992 the Ogoni were gearing up their campaign against the oil industry. In October Saro-Wiwa was in London again where he warned: βItβs just going to get worse, unless the international community intervenesβ.
The following month on 3 December, MOSOP presented its demands to those oil companies operating in Ogoniland, including Shell, the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) & Chevron. The companies had to pay back-royalties and compensation within 30 days or quit Ogoniland
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) & Chevron. The companies had to pay back-royalties and compensation within 30 days or quit Ogoniland
The oil companies did not quit. So the 4th Jan 1993, some 300,000 Ogoni celebrated the Year of Indigenous Peoples by peacefully protesting against Shell's activities & the environmental destruction of Ogoniland. It remains the largest demonstration against an oil
company ever.
company ever.
Leaked minutes of meetings held by Shell the following month indicate that the company was worried by the protests. They ensure that movements of key players, what they say and to whom is more effectively monitored to avoid unpleasant surprises and adversely affect on Shell.
In the continued part, I will shed more light on the mischievous article written by @YeleSowore of the @SaharaReporters to defame the personality of the new CoS Ibrahim Gambari who was then Nigeria's ambassador to UN as at the time Saro-Wiwa was murdered by Abacha
To be cont'd
To be cont'd
