An appeal has gone to the Federal Government to grant a Presidential pardon to the Ogoni Hero, Mr. Ken Saro-wiwa and the eight others, of his kinsmen.
The appeal came from the immediate former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside while speaking at the Twenty fifth anniversary celebration of life and times of Ogoni nine, Martyrs Day, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Dr. Peterside noted that such a pardon would heal open wounds of the Ogoni people and would enable the “Nine” to be burried properly and hence given due recognition for their ultimate sacrifices. He however eulogised President Muhammadu Buhari for an expedited action on the United Nations Environmental Clean – up Programme in Ogoniland but pleaded, that Mr. Saro Wiwa and the other Patriots, who were killed alongside him, be granted a state pardon and allow them to be honoured by their Kinsmen and Nigerians generally.
The former NIMASA Boss explained that, such a gesture would really go a long way, in healing the wounds and fast tracking the process of fostering a sense of belonging and a fervent belief in a great Country which Nigeria represents.
Godwin Udor
