By Capital Watch Media
Ogonis around the world have commemorated the 29th anniversary of the tragic execution of the “Ogoni Nine”—a group of activists led by writer Ken Saro-Wiwa, who fought against environmental and economic injustices in Nigeria’s oil-rich Ogoniland.
This year, in addition to marking the day, Ogoni exiles collaborated on a powerful initiative that combines artistry and activism.
Through a project blending stage performances, documentaries, and workshops, they aim to tell the story of their ongoing struggle in an innovative and compelling way.
The highlight of this commemorative effort is a groundbreaking production, the “Ogoni Opera,” set to premiere in the Republic of Benin on November 23, 2024.
This opera, performed by a talented cast of nearly 100 Ogoni actors, combines storytelling with musical and theatrical elements to depict the injustices faced by the Ogoni people over decades.
The “Ogoni Opera” is part of a tri-nation resistance movement, encompassing Nigeria, South Africa, and the Netherlands, designed to raise global awareness about the Ogoni people’s plight and their enduring fight for environmental and social justice.
It will be held at the John Smith International Centre for Culture in Ouidah, Benin, and is open to the public.In a unique collaboration, the production was developed with support from New Dutch Connections, Ocean-not-Oil, and prominent activists like Janet Solomon.
These organizations and individuals are committed to using art as a medium to highlight the exploitation and environmental degradation that have plagued Ogoniland due to extensive oil extraction by companies like Shell.
The opera’s themes reflect the devastating impact of military repression, the notorious trials and executions of the Ogoni Nine, and the cultural and economic damage inflicted on the community.
Though rooted in tragedy, the opera ends on a hopeful note, imagining a future where Ogoni culture and environmental preservation are celebrated globally.
The journey to this production was marked by months of training workshops at a refugee camp, where renowned artists and specialists in opera, drama, and stage performance mentored Ogoni refugees.
One of the opera’s lead trainers, Bright Richard of New Dutch Connections, held acting masterclasses.
Spanish-Dutch opera expert Javier Lopez Piñon also lent his expertise, creating a performance that combines Western opera styles with indigenous Ogoni music, dance, and languages, including Khana and Fon.
The opera aims not only to depict Ogoni struggles but to celebrate their cultural resilience.
Alongside the opera, the project has produced a documentary, Blueburning, which premiered in South Africa in October 2024, depicting the history of Ogoni resistance.
This documentary, directed by Ocean-not-Oil, features testimonies and re-enactments of the environmental destruction in Ogoniland, adding depth to the stage performance.
Looking ahead, the team plans to develop a feature film based on Niger Delta Command, a novel by Cape Town-based Ogoni activist Barry Wugale.
Set for release in 2025, this film will bring the Ogoni struggle to an even wider audience, with a cast composed largely of Ogoni actors trained through this initiative.
Together, the opera, documentary, and film embody the resilience of the Ogoni people and their commitment to both remembering their past and shaping their future.
