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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka (327 Views)
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How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by Mrchippychappy(m): 8:14am On Aug 03 |
https://thesun.ng/how-to-win-war-against-corruption-soyinka/ The Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, on Friday listed effective ways to win the war against corruption, which he described as a deadly cankerworm that lays great nations in ruins and puts the people at great disadvantage. He disclosed this at the 26th annual Wole Soyinka Lectures, organised by the National Association of Seadogs, otherwise known as Pyrates Confraternity, to commemorate the 90th birthday of Soyinka, who alongside six other undergraduates of University of Ibadan founded the group in 1952. The lecture was held at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, with the theme: ‘The Baby or the Bathwater: Navigating the Dark Tunnels of Systemic Corruption to Nationhood’. Soyinka stated that without attitudinal change and readiness of everyone to begin to do the right thing, winning the war against the mounting corruption challenge in the country would remain an impossible task. The Nobel Laureate, while commenting on the lecture delivered by a former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, noted: “The particular aspect of this lecture that struck me is corruption. Corruption is not just when you steal public money. It is a cankerworm that eats deep into the fabric of the society from the top to the bottom and corrupts our very nature, our very existence… “But, ultimately, the solution, short term, immediate and long term, must begin from the inside and this is one of the motives for establishing Pyrates Confraternity 62 years ago.” Soyinka also disabused the minds of the people on misconceptions about Pyrates Confraternity. He said the registered association is not a bloodthirsty secret cult, but an association founded to push for justice and advance the betterment of the country. Soyinka alongside the former Secretary-General of Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyawu, later unveiled a book ‘Ship Ahoy’ written to document 60 years history of the confraternity. In the lecture, Fashola, a former Minister of Works, described Soyinka as a gift to the country, the continent, and the entire civilisation. He stated that corruption, in terms of pecuniary gains, is no doubt stands condemned. He added that the worse form of corruption is that which has displaced highly cherished moral values and has therefore corrupted the people’s ways of life. |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by Mrchippychappy(m): 8:15am On Aug 03 |
I was hoping he would speak about the hunger protests and hardship in the country but never mind 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by malali: 8:15am On Aug 03 |
A Critique of Wole Soyinka’s Address on Corruption Professor Wole Soyinka’s recent address at the 26th annual Wole Soyinka Lectures falls dishearteningly short of the boldness and clarity required to combat the pervasive issue of corruption in Nigeria. Despite his stature as a Nobel Laureate and a venerated public intellectual, Soyinka’s remarks were disappointingly vague, lacking the incisive critique and actionable solutions that one would expect from a figure of his caliber. Failing to Bell the Cat Soyinka’s assertion that combating corruption requires an “attitudinal change and readiness of everyone to begin to do the right thing” is a platitude that does nothing to address the systemic and structural issues at the heart of Nigeria’s corruption crisis. This rhetoric of moral reformation is reminiscent of the same tired refrains that have been repeated ad nauseam by those unwilling to confront the entrenched powers responsible for the country’s malaise. It is shocking that Soyinka, who once fearlessly challenged the status quo, now resorts to such banalities. A Convenient Retreat Soyinka’s failure to call out specific individuals, policies, or institutions that perpetuate corruption is a glaring omission. By not naming the corrupt officials and the complicit structures within the government, he effectively shields the very forces he once opposed. This reticence to “bell the cat” suggests a troubling retreat from his previously unflinching activism. Where is the fearless critic who once stood up to military regimes? Why does he now shy away from holding today’s leaders accountable? To be truly effective, Soyinka’s address should have included: 1. Explicit Condemnation of Corrupt Officials: He should have unequivocally named and shamed those in power who are responsible for looting public funds and undermining governance. 2. Structural Reforms: Instead of vague calls for moral awakening, Soyinka should have outlined concrete steps for institutional reforms, such as strengthening anti-corruption agencies, judicial reforms, and greater transparency in government operations. 3. Empowering Civil Society: He should have emphasized the role of civil society in holding the government accountable, encouraging grassroots movements, and protecting whistleblowers. 4. International Pressure: A call for international bodies to impose sanctions on corrupt Nigerian officials and for global cooperation in recovering stolen assets would have demonstrated a serious commitment to tackling the issue. A Question of Fear and Legacy It is perplexing that a man of Soyinka’s age and experience appears to fear the very mortals who will soon be irrelevant to him. One would expect that, being closer to the end of his life, Soyinka would speak more freely and boldly, unburdened by the fear of retribution. Instead, his address reflects a cautious, almost deferential tone towards the elites. Choosing Sides Soyinka must recognize that his true legacy will be defined by his willingness to stand with the masses against the corrupt elites. Roads and theaters named in his honor are fleeting tributes compared to the enduring respect earned by those who champion the cause of justice and equity. His mortality and honor lie in supporting the weak majority against the powerful minority, a truth that has defined the legacies of honorable men throughout history. Soyinka’s address at the Wole Soyinka Lectures was a missed opportunity. It lacked the fearless critique and actionable solutions necessary to address Nigeria’s corruption. One can only hope that he will reclaim his role as a vocal critic and stand unequivocally with the oppressed, rather than offering lukewarm platitudes that serve only to perpetuate the status quo. It is not too late for Soyinka to be remembered not just as a literary giant, but as a relentless warrior against corruption and a true champion of the people. 3 Likes |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by Skooltynz: 8:16am On Aug 03 |
Wole Soyinka the man we always look up to tinubu don destroy many reputations 2 Likes |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by xpressionx(m): 8:21am On Aug 03 |
How Prof guarded his reputation for decades and ended up wasting it on the APC is funny. 2 Likes |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by Chikel20000(m): 8:24am On Aug 03 |
I know he will never speak about dis protest or d ills of his cousin administration.....now I see where d northerners learnt bigotry.....once it's ur turn/brothers ...just pretend all is well....once it's another, become an activist 1 Like |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by Karlman: 8:25am On Aug 03 |
Off Point. Rhetorical Nonsense! Wole Soyinka is a typical example of trust nobody until they are really tested. 2 Likes |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by DevilsEqual(m): 8:25am On Aug 03 |
Mrchippychappy: As per your village King or wetin Man Is 90yo now and u want him to live his last years to impress u as per wetin So a 90yo man should come and front q protest just to prove a point to u No one cares about u Chikel20000: 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by DevilsEqual(m): 8:28am On Aug 03 |
xpressionx: What reputation was ended?? Same Reputation that made a Moroccan Academy celebrate him last month? Or the one that made some U.S institutions celebrate him last month? See, your opinion of him ends in the SE....in the outside world, the world sees him differently and that's all that matters 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by DevilsEqual(m): 8:31am On Aug 03 |
Skooltynz: The rest u are still looking up to, how's it of any benefit to them I checked the Nobel Prize Hall of Fame again and his name is still there, it will be there forever and you're just one person whose opinion isn't gonna change shii 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by Mrchippychappy(m): 8:40am On Aug 03 |
xpressionx: Man really choose to spend his last days destroying his reputation ![]() ![]() ![]() 1 Like |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by derecho(m): 8:41am On Aug 03 |
Kikikiki..someone who couldn't resist ordinary N3million naira under IBB 2 Likes |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by Mrchippychappy(m): 8:42am On Aug 03 |
Soyinka na comedian I swear. He gave a presentation riddled with Word salad and verbose rantings that mean very little. 2 Likes |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by derecho(m): 8:43am On Aug 03 |
He has always been of questionable character. Just that he messed with Obidients who decided to expose him. xpressionx: |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by derecho(m): 8:45am On Aug 03 |
You even get time dey read wetin he wan talk. Mrchippychappy: |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by Mrchippychappy(m): 8:47am On Aug 03 |
derecho: I'm still surprised how he and the media powers managed to sweep his questionable history under the rug. I still remember his actions when he was in the FRSC 2 Likes |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by illicit(m): 8:48am On Aug 03 |
Aye sir |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by Uchek(m): 8:54am On Aug 03 |
WORD SALAD! Mrchippychappy: |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by derecho(m): 8:57am On Aug 03 |
He is finding it difficult now because the media has been democratized. Many people were disinterested in his person..only politicians like Rotimi Amaechi and Tinubu were celebrating him. Instead of him to face the pots of Taiwan rice Remix Tinubu gave to him, he thought he can use his 1960 girama to gaslight people. Mrchippychappy: 2 Likes |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by fuckingAyaya(m): 9:03am On Aug 03 |
Oga go and sit down |
Re: How To Win War Against Corruption - Wole Soyinka by Chikel20000(m): 9:04am On Aug 03 |
DevilsEqual:I see....can u guys also cut Obi d same slack too and stop discussing him as if he's Nigerians president? 1 Like |
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