Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has expressed deepest concern over the negative use of social media in the country noting that the new media is now in the hands of ignoramuses.
According to him, the wrong usage of technology is fast taking humanity backward due to the use of profiling and abusive words.
The revered playwright spoke on Friday in Lagos at the unveiling of his latest interventions volume, titled: “The Putin Files,” at Freedom Park Lagos, as he, once again, confessed to not being a fan of social media.
His words: “I don’t tweet, I don’t WhatsApp. I tried WhatsApp but I stopped.”
Reading from the book, Soyinka described Project Nigeria as “near terminally soul-searing” adding that he is no longer certain of about his optimism.
His words: “Project Nigeria, I must confess, has become near terminally soul-searing. Do I still believe in it? I am no longer certain, but first, we must rid ourselves of the tyranny of the ignorant and the opportunism of time-servers.
“In any case, there is not much else to engage one on a foundation of ownership stakes. There is, of course, always the possibility of a revolution, with a clarity of purpose and acceptance of all attendant risks, including costly errors.
“Revolutions are not, however, based on the impetus of speculative power entitlement. No matter, until that moment, the structures that ensure just and equitable cohabitation must be protected from partisan appropriation – be it from material inducement, fake news or verbal terrorism – the last being the contribution of one who is positioned to assume co-leadership of the nation, no less.”
According to him, the whole concept of democracy needs to be re-examined.
He added: “Revolution is not about lining up behind the nearest available symbol. When a symbol does emerge, however, we are still obliged to examine every aspect of what is fortuitously an offer, and continue to guard our freedoms every inch of the way.”
He said Putin, as used in his book, is a metaphor and reality, adding: “We can’t be shielded from what is happening.”
He however described EndSARS as one of the most successful movements in this country because it was based on truth.
