A prominent Niger Delta youth leader, Comrade Matthew Dighi, has described President Bola Tinubu’s posthumous pardon of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other members of the Ogoni 9 and Ogoni 4 as a bold step toward national reconciliation and justice.
President Tinubu had on Thursday granted clemency to 175 Nigerians, including the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, whose execution in 1995 sparked international outrage.
In a statement signed by Dighi, Chairman of the Central Working Committee of the 2025 All Nigerian Ethnic Nationalities Youth Conference cum 30th Anniversary of Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Mazi Chidiebere Nwodo, Esq, the Secretary, the group expressed appreciation to the President for the gesture.
According to the statement, the pardon “marks a significant step towards reconciliation and justice for the many whose voices have been silenced unjustly.”
The group also expressed support for the proposed National Forest Guards, an initiative championed by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, describing it as a proactive measure to combat insecurity in Nigeria’s forests. “We, the youth of Nigeria, stand resolutely in support of this initiative, pledging our commitment to contribute to the security and safety of our communities,” they said.
On the upcoming 30th Anniversary of Ken Saro-Wiwa, the youth leaders announced a new date of November 7, 2025, following consultations with key stakeholders, including officials from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and leaders of the Ogoni community.
They warned the public to disregard earlier claims that the event would hold on October 10, 2025, noting that only the November date has official approval.
Dighi further urged security agencies to remain vigilant against impostors planning unauthorized events, stressing that “no individual or group has the authorization from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to organize this event on any other date.”