The Ogoni people of Rivers State have been thrown into mourning by the news of the death, on Tuesday in London, of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr.

A statement issued this morning by the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) expressed “deep shock” over the news “on behalf of the entire Ogoni nation.”

“The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) is deeply pained by this tragic incident, the loss of our dear “Ken Jr.” – son of our celebrated hero, Ken Saro-Wiwa,” said the statement signed by MOSOP Publicity Secretary Fegalo Nsuke.

“We express our deepest condolences to the family of Wiwa in particular and the Ogoni nation in general,” MOSOP said.

As earlier reported by News Express and some other media, Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr, the eldest son of the late renowned playwright and Ogoni environmental rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, died yesterday in a London hospital after a brief illness.

He was said to have died from complications arising from the stroke he suffered three days ago.

Born in 1968, Saro-Wiwa Jr. was an international journalist and author. He was married to a Briton.

In 2005 he returned to Nigeria and was appointed by then president Olusegun Obasanjo as his Special Assistant on Peace, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation.

He later served President Umaru Yar’Adua as the Special Assistant on International Affairs.

In 2013, he served President Goodluck Jonathan as the Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society and International Media.

The Wiwas hailed from Ogoni in Rivers State. The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last night reacted with shock to the news of the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr.

In a statement last night, Wike expressed shock over the death, saying it was a major loss to Rivers State, Nigeria and humanity.

The Governor noted that the late Saro-Wiwa Jr. devoted his life to humanity, pointing out that his transition to glory has left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.

While condoling with his immediate family over his untimely demise, Wike prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

•Photo shows late Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr.

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