Drilled Nearly 30 Years After the Ogoni 9 Tragedy, Nigerians Are Still Resisting Oil Colonialism
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Mar 5, 2024 Ugochi Anyaka Oluigbo, a committed reporter covering environmental activism in the Niger Delta, joins Fine Boy Kuku, a former print journalist and MOSOP member living in exile. They discuss Shell's recent shift to offshore drilling while leaving a legacy of pollution and unrest in Nigeria. The duo highlights the Ogoni people's ongoing fight for justice, the brutal suppression of protests, and the pressing need for accountability from foreign oil giants. Personal stories reveal the deep scars of environmental and social injustice that continue to fuel resistance.
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Ogoni Memorial
- In Bori, Ogoni people gathered to remember the struggles and killings resulting from protests against Shell's oil exploration.
- On November 10, they march annually, holding banners like "Shell Out of Niger Delta" and "Shell, Bringing Hell to the Niger Delta since 1958".
Oil Wealth and Environmental Damage
- Despite producing $30 billion worth of oil, Ogoniland has suffered 6,817 oil spills, devastating the environment and local economies.
- The resulting protests have been met with violence and repression, highlighting the conflict between oil interests and community well-being.
Life in Exile
- Fine Boy Kuku, a MUSOP member, fled to Benin Republic 23 years ago due to threats from the Nigerian government.
- Living in exile with his family, Kuku faces hardship but feels safer than if he had stayed in Nigeria.