Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa
- Born:
- October 10, 1941, Bori, Nigeria
- Died:
- November 10, 1995, Port Harcourt, Nigeria (Executed)
- Nationality:
- Nigerian
- Profession(s):
- Writer, Television Producer, Environmental Activist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a prominent Ogoni family in Nigeria.
- Educated at Government College Umuahia and later at the University of Ibadan, where he studied English.
- Taught at Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt, briefly before becoming a civilian administrator during the Nigerian Civil War.
Career and Major Achievements
- Gained prominence as a writer and television producer, most notably for the sitcom "Basi & Company."
- Transitioned into environmental activism in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Founded the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the Ogoni people.
- Led non-violent campaigns against Shell Oil and the Nigerian government for environmental degradation of Ogoniland due to oil exploration.
Notable Works
- Fiction: Sozaboy: A Novel in Rotten English (1985), Prisoners of Jebs
- Non-fiction: On a Darkling Plain: An Account of the Nigerian Civil War, Nigeria: The Brink of Disaster
- Television: Creator and writer of the sitcom Basi & Company
Arrest and Execution
- Arrested in 1994 along with other MOSOP leaders in connection with the murder of four Ogoni chiefs.
- Convicted by a military tribunal despite widespread international criticism and accusations of a flawed trial.
- Executed by hanging on November 10, 1995, along with eight other Ogoni activists (the "Ogoni Nine").
Legacy and Impact
Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa's activism and execution brought international attention to the plight of the Ogoni people and the environmental damage caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta. The global outcry following his death led to Nigeria's suspension from the Commonwealth and significantly impacted international awareness of corporate environmental responsibility. His work, "ken wiwa biography" becoming intrinsically linked to his activism, continues to inspire environmental and human rights movements worldwide.