Noble Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has said that corruption was being used as a unifying factor in Nigeria as it had eaten deep in all sections of the country with no restriction.
Soyinka stated this yesterday while speaking at the Second Muazu Babangida Aliyu Annual National Literary Colloquium at Justice Legbo Kutigi Conference Centre, Minna.
He said that corruption was an heinous crime against the nation that must be tackled by every means possible saying that it was not restricted to any region, religion , tribe or ethnic group.
The literary icon maintained that since it was not restricted to any section of the country it could be seen as a unifying factor even as it has gradually destroyed the value and sense of nationhood.
Soyinka therefore urged writers to rise up against corruption.
He said writers should find solution to the problem of corruption and other vices through proper research works instead of bemoaning the situation.
Soyinka recalled that when the advance free fraud started in Nigeria it was called 419 and some writers gave it names as it was seen as a means of repatriation instead of rising against the scourge.
According to him vices like kidnapping should not be blamed on unemployment but a product of criminally minded individuals who are out to undermine the freedom of others for their own greed.
He said, “let us not trivialise issues, it is criminal for anyone to throw bomb at market places and places of worship under the guise of marginalisation” adding that, “there is a difference between one taking arm against the authority and declaring war against the nation”.
Meanwhile, the colloquium followed the commissioning of Cyprian Ekwensi Library at F-layout Minna. The colloquium attracted 44 writers with Professor Charles Nnolim, Odia Ofeimun and Ahmed Maiwada as discussants and chaired by Professor Samsudeen Amali of Nassarawa State University.
I believed the emeritus professor and Nobel laureate have spoken with sounds and voice of reasoning. Dichotomized fiction from reality of events. Jungle justice from national consciousness. Also trenches from wrenches. I hope event to time will broadening the mentality of out activist to see beyond regional politics and ethnical sentiments while engaging historians and scholars on foundermental of state structure , principles of national identity and democratic values of the people. Am of the strong opinion that if we look inwards at our assesstra hegemony of ancient past and module operands inwhich every towns,cities or deities choose their leaders will help Nigeria to come up with a strong referendum on how what time of democracy is good for the nation. A weaken central government and a strong national defence and security service will change the paradigm of things.