Ken Saro-Wiwa was one of Nigeria’s leading literary figures. He authored children’s books, novels, plays, poetry and articles/books on political and environmental issues, he produced and directed Basi and Company, a ground-breaking sitcom that ran from 1985 to 1995 on Nigerian television and was later syndicated across Africa.
Ogoni Solidarity Ireland (OSI) campaigned from Ireland on behalf of the people of Ogoni and Ken-Saro Wiwa who were campaigning against the destructive impact of Shell on their land.
OSI campaigned from 1994 to highlight the environmental devastation on Ogoni and to save the life of author, poet and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight colleagues (the “Ogoni 9”) who were on trial for treason. Unfortunately, all 9 were hanged in November 1995 on the orders of a ‘military tribunal’.
These letters were smuggled out of military detention in breadbaskets by visitors.
Through 28 letters to Sister Majella McCarron, Saro-Wiwa writes about family, the Ogoni struggle against Royal Dutch Shell, his writings, poetry and the conditions of his captivity.
On 10th November 2011, Sister Majella McCarron presented her collection of personal correspondence and 27 poems she had received from Ken Saro-Wiwa to Maynooth University, which have been preserved, restored and made available for open access online for future generations to explore.
For more:
Source: Ken Saro-Wiwa Archive at Maynooth University Library
Year: 1990s
Courtesy of Helen Fallon and Maynooth University Library