Nigeria is at war, says Soyinka

by: Ozolua Uhakheme

Nigeria is at war and the war is between light and darkness, Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka said yesterday.
He warned that Nigerians would cease to be humans, if they succumb to the forces of darkness.
The literary icon spoke in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, at the presentation of “Nigerian Literature: A coat of many colours” and the presentation of Port Harcourt as UNESCO World Book Capital 2014.
He appraised the spate of violence across the country and expressed his belief that “Nigeria is at war.”
Soyinka said: “I believe Nigeria is at war, the war is between forces of light and darkness, intellect and retrogressive thinking,forces of hatred against humanism.
“I believe that if we surrender to these forces, we cease to be human.”
According to him, Boko Haram and all movements that wage war against literacy have declared war, not on the nation, but on humanity itself.
“Despite the horror that surrounds us, we continue to be creative.”
He described the choice of Port Harcourt as WBCC 2014 as bitter-sweet, saying it came at a time when Nigeria is reflecting.
Soyinka said the lynching of four students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) is callous and demonstrates the bestiality of man.
“Worst of all, it took place in a community which watched as silent spectators and passive participants.
“Before that in Mubi, students were called out one after the other and shot to death, not accidental shooting, but out of hatred for potential sources of knowledge and enlightenment.”
He recalled a similar scenario in Mexico City and stressed that creativity must be made to triumph over evil of retrogression.
Soyinka said: “On that note, we have a responsibility to support and sustain efforts of Rainbow Book Clubs and others to promote literacy and humanity.
“It is one statement we can make to tell the world despite the horror.
“It is a message we must continue to preach to our children.
“This recognition by UNESCO is an indication that something good is happening in Nigeria despite the avalanche of negativity.”
The Nobel laureate enjoined his colleagues that the plays, poems, drama and short stories they create are the solutions to Boko Haram crises.
Renowned writer and community leader in Aluu, Elechi Amadi, also condemned the killings of the UNIPORT Four.
He, however, insisted that the incident had nothing to do with the indigenes of Aluu.
“We condemn the spilling of blood but the incident has nothing to do with indigenes of Aluu.
“All the suspects paraded by the police are non-indigenes. People of Aluu have been demonised. We call on security operative to police the environment.”
Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who was represented by Information Commissioner Mrs Ibim Seminitari, said the vision of the festival is to bring back the book for the restoration of values, culture and societal transformation.
Amaechi said: “Literature restores values and represents the world full of opportunities and numerous possibilities.
“I dream because I read. I was raised in a poor neighbourhood of Diobu, in Port Harcourt.
“I was the only child of my parents who went to school and today I am a governor because I read.”
TheNation