Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has
described as ‘abominable distractions,’ statement
by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information,
Dr Austin Tam-George, that the state would demand
refund from him (Soyinka) if he collected cash from
the N82 million allegedly spent by immediate-past
Governor, Rotimi Amaechi on a dinner to honour
him.
Soyinka, who reacted in a statement on Wednesday
night, said it has never been his business to probe
into the “catering and logistical implications” of the
hundreds of recognitions he had enjoyed worldwide
and wondered why the Ameachi gesture has
become an issue under the ‘insecure’ incumbent of
the Rivers State government lodge.
Although he said the allegation has made him
saddened and ‘truly despair”, he added that he was
indifferent to it.
Soyinka in the statement entitled, “Those who
flounder in the sewage of corruption,” said: “This
morning, I saw only the headlines in one or two
print media regarding the 80th Birthday dinner to
which I was hosted by the former governor of
Rivers State, the Honorable Rotimi Amaechi, now
Minister of Transportation. I ignored them. It was
not, and remains not my business to probe into the
catering and logistical implications of the hundreds
of institutions and governments all over the world to
whom I acknowledge an immense debt of
unsolicited recognition over the years.
“Since then however, I have learnt of some unsavory
statements by the insecure incumbent of the Rivers
State government Lodge. These included a loose
invitation to anti-crime agencies to investigate the
potential crime of being honoured through any
occasion. The unprecedented call by this governor
is prescient of a warning I recounted in my recent
pamphlet publication THE REPUBLIC OF LIARS, and
was taken from my address to an anti-corruption
global conference that took place in Tunisia two
years ago. Those words were: CORRUPTION
STRIKES BACK. In this ongoing instance, that
expression translates most vividly as “Those who
are neck deep in the sewage of corruption ensure
that they splatter sewage in all possible and
improbable directions.”
“I do however fully support the Wikeleaks call for
multi-directional probes. I recommend further that
he involve the services of INTERPOL to guarantee
its extension to all international organisations and
governments to whom I owe uncountable events of
recognition – including birthday luncheons, dinners,
cultural receptions and events of real, fictitious, or
simply opportunistic flavoring – to which I have
submitted myself.
“The descent to this present level of abominable
distractions makes one truly despair. It is one that
even I did not envisage when I warned –
CORRUPTION STRIKES BACK! Whether it brings
honour or dishonour to the nation is another matter
– I am saddened, but indifferent.
“EFCC and company – over to you! You all know
where I live,” noted The Nobel laureate.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/01/80th-birthday-dinner-soyinka-replies-rivers-govt/

this is seriously serious
BTW why draging the name of one of our finest in Rivers election mess?
the should pack well oh.
to chop anywhere in Nigeria now is dangerous especially free food.

some weeks ago someone dashed me a certain cheque to get a cash for myself. I couldn't return it because that is how he used to dash me but the fear of dasuki had made me to forget the cheque on the table since he gave me.

good name is better than riches.

Hmmmm I wonder how some people get into goverment .

How can he be the one to refund was he given the cash to organise it himself, this isn't Dasuki gate where people were given raw cash.

Wike!make I break it down to you.Gather all the forces to investigate the gathering,You won't find a sh1t.

The unprecedented call by this governor
is prescient of a warning I recounted in my recent
pamphlet publication THE REPUBLIC OF LIARS, and
was taken from my address to an anti-corruption
global conference that took place in Tunisia two
years ago. Those words were: CORRUPTION
STRIKES BACK.

"He who lives in a glass house should not throw stone"

Ayam coming

CORRUPTION FIGHTING BACK...............

Any thief under the umbrela of apc is authomatically a saint.

I recommend further that he involve the services of INTERPOL to guarantee its extension to all international organisations and governments to whom I owe uncountable events of recognition – including birthday luncheons, dinners, cultural receptions and events of real, fictitious, or simply opportunistic flavoring – to which I have submitted myself........

“EFCC and company – over to you! You all know where I live,” noted The Nobel laureate.

Nigeria.....the land of comedy

Wike should probe more dinners and luncheons abeg to recover the money from those who ate there....he should even involve interpol as Kongi advised.

Haba prof, do u honestly think wike will decipher this? Kindly break it down for him

Don't mess with this Prof! Madam Shepopotamus of Otuoke didn't fare any better! Her bloodied nose from the encounter with the Prof is not getting healed any moment yet!!!

MoonChildng:
Hmmmm I wonder how some people get into goverment .

How can he be the one to refund was he giving the cash to organise it himself, this isn't Dasuki gate where people were given raw cash.

Bro, you should understand....

When he man is drowning, he clutches at everything to stay afloat.....even if its a serpent...

They are swimming in a sewage of corruption and they're splashing excreta everywhere in a desperate attempt to avoid drowning.

Just pity them

From all the plenty English Prof wrote, it seems he was given a substantial honorarium from the alleged outrageous money spent. He is being defensive. If he received paltry or insignificant cash gifts from the RSG at the time, his response would have been a one-liner.

If no proof exists to show he did, then "Wikeleaks" may only have to contend with ex-Governor Amaechi and his lieutenants and not Baba 80.

All politicians are corrupt and irresponsible. Their nobel sorry noble friends are also sewer companions.

odeotito:
Don't mess with this Prof! Shepopotamus of Otuoke didn't fare any better! Her bloodied nose from the encounter with the Prof is not getting healed any moment yet!!!

the mad old professor

I know Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi will not allow any government suspected to be corrupt to organise any party for him. The reason is to avoid getting caught in this kind of mud.

Mtchewww. See the oil still on his lips from the yam he ate there

Wike should swear that since taken over he hasn't organised a celebration more expensive than this

mrvitalis:
Wike should swear that since taken over he hasn't organised a celebration more expensive than this

Even his fellow brother A GOAT is checking out if his name, is among those that ate YAM

good

For goodness sake, why spend 82 million naira for a 'mere' dinner? Did they feed the whole country?........ Polithiefians make una fear God and humanity o.

How can a state government be this unserious!

Soyinka!!! Hmmmm

thunder74:
I know Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi will not allow any government suspected to be corrupt to organise any party for him. The reason is to avoid getting caught in this kind of mud.

Stop insulting Gani. He doesn't roll will people in government irrespective of party. He was a real fighter and a patriot per excellence.


Stop comparing him with Wole Soyinka. Is Soyinka not the same man that worked for IBB junta?

OK now

Baba Soyinka please leave big grammar on this matter. Most of the people that are being draged around on the arms deal largasse didn't know the source of the money yet they are being implicated, so if an #80 million birthday party was organised for from the money of the people of Rivers state, you re answerable to it. Ignorance is not an excuse in the court of law or that of public opinion

Ogah oo, what am I seeing, N82m for jes a dinner

And somebody will tell me 'agriculture' can sustain this country & satisfy our spoilt politicians & their friends!

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Hmmmm