Shell, which was blamed by Ken Saro-Wiwa for his own impending death, stood by and let this gross violation of human rights occur without criticism. Evidence later emerged showing Shell might have stopped the killings had it tried. The writing is clear and flattering. The message is a tempting win-win bargain. The answer, for Shell, is no.
Business can have it both ways.
Shell's self-fulfilling position is that it must keep searching for more fossil fuels because oil is still the cheapest and most convenient energy source. Both, of course. After years of environmental destruction and suppression of basic freedoms in Nigeria, Shell has the gall to boast of its commitment to human rights, even pointing to Nigeria as an example, and showing a picture of a pro-Ogoni protest in London. This is the greenwash technique of blatantly co-opting your critics' message, adapted for the issue of human rights. Shell, like any company, will use any maneuver to avoid lawsuits regarding its role in Nigeria.