The leading and apex Ogoni socio-cultural organisation, The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has organised a memorial for the martyrs of the Ogoni struggle particularly Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, MOSOP Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke said: “Today keeps in our memory, the sacrifices of our heroes, it ignites the realities of their innocence, their unfair trial and the pains of how they were hurriedly and brutally killed by the Nigerian government on November 10, 1995.”

MOSOP called on the Nigerian government to review the sentences passed on Ogoni leaders 21 years ago by a military tribunal in Port Harcourt. According to the Movement, a review of the sentences will demonstrate that the present government would not have acted in the way of the military authorities in 1995.

“That today’s Nigeria is truly committed to right the wrongs of the past and to set Nigeria on the path of a just society committed to civilised values.

“To the Ogoni people, November 10 is a call for patriotism, to sustain our collective struggle for a just and fair system and to stand up against injustice at all times, wherever it surfaces.

“November 10 is a call on all Ogonis and the entire minorities of Nigeria to uphold the peaceful methods which Ken Saro-Wiwa promoted and to ensure that the sacrifices of our fallen heroes do not go in vain.”

•Photo shows late Ken Saro-Wiwa, one of the executed ‘Ogoni 9’.

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