NOBEL Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has scolded Nigerian Government for attacking former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his statement that said Boko Haram insurgency and herdsmen crisis had become an agenda of ‘Fulanisation’ of West Africa and ‘Islamisation’ of Africa. Festival consultant Professor Wole Soyinka delivers a speech during the opening of the fourth edition of African drum festival at the Abeokuta city centre amphitheatre in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, on April 25, 2019. – The fourth edition of African drum festival with theme.
“Drumming for Futureî has opened with international workshops by culture scholars and performances by troupes from various regions across the world in Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria. (Photo AFP) Chibok girls: We will not give up, says Buhari(Opens in a new browser tab) Obasanjo made the comment on Saturday in Delta State while the Federal Government, in a statement by Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, lampooned Obasanjo, saying he was seeking to divide Nigeria in his old age. However, Soyinka flayed the Federal Government for ignoring the call for collaborative efforts to combat insecurity as suggested by Obasanjo. Soyinka spoke at the United Bank for Africa, UBA, symposium, tagged:
“Africa’s history redefined: Our past, a path to the future.’’ Soyinka, whose relationship with Obasanjo is far from cordial, said with collaboration,
“unity is possible even in the adversityof our languages.” He said: “However, everybody knows that my relationship with Obasanjo is not too cordial but at the same time, we should be very careful not to be dismissive. If there is a substance, the language must be put aside for a moment.
“I heard the Minister of Information, and I had the feeling that they are leaving aside the substance and worrying too much about the language. Obasanjo was calling for a meeting of stakeholders on a very serious aspect of social menace this country is under going.
“This country is under going a horrendous descent into the abyss. The perfect picture of Africa is what we must continue to uphold in view as leaders have used the word ‘unity’ to destroy our people.
“The issue of Boko Haram is currently being discussed in the House of parliament in England in relation to Africa’s well-being.’’
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