NC Remembers Kenule Beeson “Ken” Saro-Wiwa

Saro-wiwa was not just the mouthpiece of his people, he was a firm believer in everything he set his heart to do and did so with excellence and justice.

On this day as we remember him, here are some of his most memorable quotes:

”I’ve used my talents as a writer to enable the Ogoni People to confront their tormentors. I was not able to do it as a politician or a businessman. My writing did it… I think I have the moral victory”

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”The writer cannot be a mere storyteller; he cannot be a mere teacher; he cannot merely x-ray society’s weaknesses, its ills, its perils. He or she must be actively involved shaping its present and its future.”

”I tell you this, I may be dead but my ideas will not die.”

”Whether I live or die is immaterial. It is enough to know that there are people who commit time, money and energy to fight this one evil among so many others predominating worldwide. If they do not succeed today, they will succeed tomorrow.”

”The stories that I tell must have a different sort of purpose from the artist in the Western world…and art, in that instance, becomes so meaningful both to the artist and to the consumers of that art, because you do not just depend on them to read your books, you even have to live a life that they can emulate.”

Author

  • Emmanuel Bagudu is a Kaduna state (north-west Nigeria) born Multimedia Journalist currently reporting for News Central TV in Kano State. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA. Hons.) In Theatre and Performing Arts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and currently running a Master's Degree. Bagudu began journalism practice as a youth corps member in 2009 at DAAR Communications (AIT & RAYPOWER FM) in Jos, the Plateau State Capital, where he gained skills in reporting, non-linear editing, scripting and camera operations.

    He has published groundbreaking investigations on;

    1. Corporate Transparency in the Extractive Sector - Commissioned by -Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID)
    2. Damage Caused by the Looted Funds by Ex-Taraba and Plateau Governors Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye - Commissioned by -Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID)
    3. Fact-checking Convicted Reverend King’s Presidential bid in Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential Election - Commissioned by DUBAWA.COM, a subsidiary of Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID)
    4. And lots more

    He was also the winner of the 2020 edition of the SDG 16 innovation challenge in Nigeria in Abuja organised by Accountability Lab.

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