Kenule "Ken" Bornale Tsaro-Wiwa (born Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr.; 28 November 1968 – 18 October 2016), although he himself chose to use the name Ken Wiwa, was a Nigerian journalist and author. The eldest son of human rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, he worked as an adviser to three Nigerian presidents.

Background

Wiwa was born in Lagos, Nigeria, the eldest son of human rights activist and author Ken Saro-Wiwa. in Canada and a columnist for The Globe and Mail,

Wiwa addressed the European Union, Oxford Union and spoke at a number of colleges and universities, including Harvard University, McGill University and the University of Cambridge. He served as a conference rapporteur at a United Nations meeting on cultural diversity. A regular commentator on major news channels including CNN, BBC, Al-Jazeera, he appeared as a guest on the BBC television programmes HARDTalk and Newsnight.

In 2005, Wiwa was selected by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader.

The book was described by The Independent as "rich and readable", and by Africa Confidential as "an often sad but refreshingly honest book that provides a unique insight into the personal and political life of one of Nigeria's most dynamic and controversial figures", and for the Publishers Weekly reviewer: "Wiwa's impassioned and detailed memoir provides a superb overview of the Nigerian political landscape, as well as an excellent behind-the-scenes look at his father." In the Shadow of a Saint won the 2002 Hurston–Wright Nonfiction Award.

Special assistant

In 2005, he returned to Nigeria, and the following year former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Wiwa as his special assistant on peace, conflict resolution and reconciliation. He served President Umaru Yar'Adua as a special assistant on international affairs. Wiwa was also President Goodluck Jonathan's senior special assistant on civil society and international media, from 2012.

Death

Wiwa died suddenly in London on 18 October 2016, aged 47, after suffering a stroke. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari paid tribute by saying: "Wiwa was an ardent believer in the unity, progress and stability of his community. I urge family, friends and associates to honour his memory by making his dream of an environmentally safe, secured and prosperous Ogoniland a reality."

  • "We Nigerians are celebrating Mandela as the kind of hero we've never had", The Guardian, 8 December 2013.
  • "Finally it seems as if Ken Saro-Wiwa, my father, may not have died in vain", The Guardian, 10 November 2015.

References

  • Ken Wiwa, "In the Name of My Father", The Observer, 6 November 2005 (a memoir by Wiwa).
  • "Ken Wiwa - The History of the Ogoni Language in Nigeria". YouTube video, 8 February 2018.
  • Andy Rowell, "Walk free, Ken Junior, there are no more shadows anymore..", Oil Change International, 21 October 2016.