Radio Interview, Movie, Lecture-Repression in the Niger Delta, The Ogoni, Ken Saro-Wiwa
This announcement is the latest update from Dino Marcaccio, concerning a very interesting radio interview Thursday, and lecture/movie next Monday. They are about repression in the Niger Delta, the Ogoni people, and their slain leader Ken Saro-Wiwa.
If you miss the interview on The Progressive Forum this Thursday evening (same evening as our PAA monthly meeting), you'll be able to hear it later on the KPFT archives at http://archive.kpft.org/ (new URL).
This sounds like a very interesting topic, and one which the US corporate media continues to ignore.
For more information, contact Dino -- his phone number and address are below.
This is also posted on the PAA calendar at http://www.paa-tx.org/node/1184
Bill
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From: "Dino Marcaccio" <>
Subject: FINAL VERSION - Press Release (Radio Interview and Movie / Lecture RE: Repression in the Niger Delta, The Ogoni, Ken Saro-Wiwa)
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2006 00:09:52 -0600
Hello. Dino here. Please forward this press release widely. I will re-issue it once more later this week
US OIL COMPANIES CONTINUE TO RAVAGE THE NIGER DELTA (NIGERIA)
REMEMBER KEN SARO-WIWA, SLAIN OGONI LEADER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOCAL CONTACT: Dino Marcaccio, 281-788-5879, Email:
January 7, 2005
Please join us for a speech and radio interview by a prominent local Nigerian Ogoni activist Mr. James Nalley (see below for details). Since the late 1950's and under the protection of various repressive Nigerian governments, the Shell and Chevron Oil Companies have exploited the huge high quality oil reserves existing in southeastern Nigeria in an area known as the Niger Delta. The Ogoni, as well as other native people of the Niger Delta, receive little to nothing in compensation for the exploitation and destruction of their homeland and traditional way of life.
Beginning in 1990, (MOSOP) the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, led by Ken Saro-Wiwa, rose to international acclaim after a massive non-violent 1993 public protest campaign against Shell Oil. On Nov. 10, 1995, the Ogoni leader, Ken Saro-Wiwa, was illegally executed by the US supported Nigerian military dictator General Sani Abacha. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International both continue to strongly condemn the Nigerian Government for gross violations of human rights against the Ogoni as well as the extra-judicial execution of their leader, Ken Saro-Wiwa.
Today, Nigeria has emerged from decades of strict military rule, but oil companies like Shell and Chevron continue to devastate the Niger Delta while poverty and growing instability plague the indigenous Niger Delta communities. We urge all Houston area progressive activists to attend this event and call for a boycott of Shell and Chervon Oil companies in support of the OGONI and other oppressed peoples of southeastern Nigeria (Niger Delta).
RADIO INTERVIEW:
WHEN: THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2006 at 7 PM. KPFT 90.1 FM
Radio Program Name: 'The Progressive Forum', hosted by Mr. Wally James.
WHO: Mr. James Nalley, Chairperson - Houston Chapter, MOSOP (Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People)
Statement by the leader of MOSOP (Mr. Ledum Mite).
WHAT: Discussion regarding the exploitation and oppression of the people of the
Niger Delta region of Nigeria and the struggle of the Ogoni people.
LECTURE AND MOVIE:
WHEN: MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2006 at 7:30 PM
WHERE: THE BLACK LABRADOR PUB (Banquet Room)
4100 Montrose (at Richmond) Ph.: 713-529-1199
WHAT: Lecture: by Mr. JAMES NALLEY (Chairperson - Houston Chapter - MOSOP, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People).
Movie: "The Drilling Fields": Glen Ellis Documentary about the exploitation of the Ogoni and their homeland by Shell Oil
and the repressive and violent Nigerian government (52 minutes) (See description below).
$5.00 donation is suggested but no one will be refused entry.
For more information about struggle of the Ogoni and the peoples of the Niger Delta please visit the websites (
The Drilling Fields
Glen Ellis | United Kingdom | 1994 | 59 min. | documentary video
In the oil-rich Niger Delta of Nigeria, the native people (Ogoni and other tribes) are violently oppressed by Nigeria's military dictatorship, who use force to protect the flow of oil on which the government depends. For over 40 years the Ogoni people have quietly endured military oppression and watched the devastating effect of the oil operations on their environment. The Drilling Fields explores the shady and sometimes illegal relationship between Shell Petroleum Development Company and the Nigerian government.
New York Premiere, 1995 Human Rights Watch Festival. Distributed by Lisa Ronchetti, c/o Channel 4, 124 Horseferry Road, London SWIP 2TX UK, Tel: (44 71) 396-4444 Fax: (44 71) 306-8345.