Ken Saro-Wiwa was a Nigerian writer and environmental activist who became the voice for his people's struggle against the environmental devastation of the Niger Delta. Through his writing and tireless activism, he exposed the ruin of the Ogoni homeland, ravaged by oil extraction and reckless waste dumping. He witnessed the destruction of his people's land and waters by multinational corporations and a complicit government, yet he stood firm. His unwavering campaign for the survival of the Ogoni people was ultimately silenced by his execution, sparking international outrage and drawing global attention to his cause.
The story follows Mr. B, a beloved hero known for his exciting adventures, which have inspired the popular Nigerian television series "Basi and Company." This children's novel captures his thrilling escapades, bringing to life the humor and charm that has resonated with audiences. Through engaging storytelling, young readers are invited to join Mr. B on his journey, filled with fun and valuable lessons.
The story centers around Basi, a clever character inspired by Yoruba folklore, who humorously critiques Nigeria's get-rich-quick mentality. This book adapts the popular television series into a contemporary narrative style, resonating with African storytelling traditions. Celebrated for its wit, the series captivated millions, with The New York Times highlighting its cultural relevance. The author's innovative approach combines traditional elements with modern themes, making it a unique exploration of societal issues in Nigeria.
Sozaboy powerfully describes the fate of a young, naive soldier thrown into the frontline of a civil war, from his first proud days of recruitment to the disillusionment and horrors that follow. Mene yearns for manhood. He dreams of gaining the glory that the ex-soldier in his village brags about, with his stories of hunting 'Hitla'. So when war breaks out and soldiers appear in Mene's isolated village, he sees his chance to finally wear a uniform. Too soon, however, Mene's innocence turns to terror. While witnessing the unfathomable, Mene must learn to evade the carnage of warfare if he wants to make it home alive... Writing in Nigerian Pidgin English, Ken Saro-Wiwa creates a unique window into the dark consequences of meaningless war. 'Haunting.' Guardian 'Sozaboy is not simply a great African novel, it is also a great anti-war novel, among the very best the twentieth century has produced.' William Boyd
Focusing on the plight of the Ogoni people, this collection of articles from the 1970s and 1980s highlights Saro-Wiwa's political and environmental activism against the exploitation by multinational oil companies and the Nigerian government. He emphasizes the marginalization of the Ogoni as a minority facing potential genocide. The work played a crucial role in raising international awareness of their struggles, remaining relevant today regarding indigenous rights and environmental issues in the Delta region.
An irreverent travel guide to Nigeria, a country which 'gets fewer voluntary visitors than the moon', by the daughter of Ken Saro Wiwa.
Ken Saro-Wiwa was the man who gave voice to the campaign for basic human and political rights for the Ogoni people. It was fear of his success that made him the target of the despotic Nigerian military regime. This book is an account of his arrest and the harrowing experience that followed.
Noo Saro-Wiwa returns to Nigeria for the first time since her activist father died there, a trip on which she is struck by the level of government corruption but also by the country's unique geography and captivating population.
For a quarter of a century, Lemona has been held in a Nigerian prison, her crimes reflecting her passion and despair, her silence masking the truth. On the last day of her life she is visited by Ola, whose parents Lemona killed. To this woman Lemona recounts the events of her upbringing in poverty, the kindness of friends who took her in, and the abuse, corruption and betrayal by men which led to her downfall. though she is awaiting execution, Lemona's desire to understand the forces that shaped her life resonates throughout her story, leading Ola towards a new interpretation of her own history. -- Publisher description
The Stories They Wouldn't Let You Read
This collection of fiction from around the world is concerned with censorship taboos and includes work from writers who remain censored, exiled or imprisoned. It includes writing by Willaim Trevor, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Aicha Lemsing and Breyten Breytenbach.
The travel memoir of a Nigerian woman in China exploring the intersections and divides between the two cultures and the lives of African economic migrants in the bustling People's Republic China today is both a land of opportunity for Africans, South Americans and other non-Westerners blocked from commerce with most of Europe and Northern America, and an intersection of racism and prejudice. Noo Saro-Wiwa goes in search of China's 'Black Ghosts', African economic migrants in the People's Republic, who live in separate communities and are vigorously involved in the trade between the continents. Her fascinating encounters include a Ghanaian cardiac surgeon, a drug dealer, a visa overstayer, a Nigerian popstar who sings in Chinese and men married to Chinese women who speak English with Nigerian accents.