The memorial is to be unveiled on the 11th anniversary of the day when Saro-Wiwa and eight of his colleagues were executed by the Nigerian government for speaking out against the social and environmental devastation inflicted on their community by oil company Shell.

The lives of these men represent the thousands of people who have lost homes, lives and livelihoods as a result of Shell’s unwanted presence in the Niger Delta region.

I ask Sokari why she entered the International competition that led to her commission.

'What’s happening in the Niger Delta is of particular concern to me because I come from the River State, the same place as Ken Saro-Wiwa, his death affected us all, and even though participating in the competition was frightening, I’m pleased to find a role in the work he started.'

A modest response as she has already created a range of metal artwork pieces that talk about the oil conflicts in the region, in particular a piece dedicated to Saro-Wiwa soon after his death in November 1995.

Sokari is one of the Calabari people who live 30 miles up river from Saro-Wiwa’s home. The tradition of masquerade and costume rooted in the area is evident in the piece she has created; its inside designed to house anything from performance to political debate. The only criteria attached, is that users educate the public about the environmental justice Saro-Wiwa campaigned for.

As a memorial, it is ground breaking; I imagine the bus arriving at festivals and city centres brimming with stories and songs, a far cry from the static colonial figures that currently dominate Britain’s civic spaces.

I wonder why Sokari chose a bus, a vehicle bringing a message or maybe a symbol that joins the issues in the Delta to the environmental problems we all face if global Co2 emissions are not reduced. She explains;

'I’m an intuitive worker, I thought of transport, I thought of the funeral buses that pass in Nigeria hanging banners for the dead and I thought of the Delta.'

Sokari’s memories of home are vivid;

She tells me how, as a child, she paddled these rivers in a small canoe collecting oysters' shells on sticks. 'I used to see flying fish pop out of the water and fly back in again, but then Shell built roads and express ways and the creaks couldn’t be used.'

After the roads came the oil wells were built next to sacred islands. The outrage in Sokari’s voice is striking as she explains that an area of tranquillity has became home to six blazing gas flares that burn night and day.

'There’s more pollution in the Delta than in New York or London where you have industry and planes. I remember regularly blowing soot out of my nose even though at home there were hardly any cars.'

We talk about the militarization that has accompanied the oil operations in the area.

'It happened over time.' Faced with mass non-violent protest Shell bankrolled an army of police to secure their interests in the region. For a long time it seems that there was no resistance but of late things have changed. The jagged frames of two steely women arms outstretched but never meeting, catches my eye. Sokari has decorated their bodies in Kalashnikovs and bullet belts to raise awareness of the growing troubles.

'These days the Delta is flooded with guns, people don’t have a livelihood, they are afraid and disappointed. The boys using violence and taking hostages feel they have nothing to loose, we need to show them there are things to work for and things to do.'

Immediately I think how great it would be if the Saro-Wiwa bus visited the Delta. Maybe it’s a possibility? The bus is not due to find a permanent home in London until 2008 where it will stand, a constant reminder of the link between ethics, art and political change.

At the launch of the living memorial Sokari’s work was endorsed by many, including Anita Roddick (founder of the Body Shop) and the Mayor of London who, in absentia, said;

'I hope the memorial will become a beacon for Londoners and all those around the world who are fighting for social and environmental justice.'

Friends and supporters of Saro-Wiwa described him as a great man who provided a road map that pointed people in the right direction, the direction of non-violence and self-determination for the Ogoni, the first community to speak out against the human rights violations happening in the Delta region.

Saro-Wiwa's son, Ken Wiwa, stresseed the importance of non violence;

'This anniversary is a reminder that creative non-violence, the place of ideas rather than violence is the way out and the way forward for the Niger Delta.'

I ask him to expand on what he’d like to see happen once the violence has passed; 'people need to get equity so they can use the regions resources for their own development.'

Outside, the bus is unveiled to a crowd of friends and journalists. To them, the words cut into its side come as no shock. For the ones who have not heard of Ken Saro-Wiwa, those who might take a look at the bus as it parks up in Liverpool, Hull, London or Glastonbury next year, they may be surprised to read:

And perhaps they'll be curious enough to want to find out more.

The Saro-Wiwa living memorial will be used to educate people about environmental injustice. For details of where it will be touring please visit www.remebersarowiwa.com