NOBEL laureate, Wole Soyinka, a professor, has said Nigeria needs reconstruction, reconfiguration and decentralisation to maximise its development.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
The renowned playwright stated this at a lecture to mark the 50th anniversary of the PUNCH newspaper, in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday, February 29.
The professor, who was the main speaker at the event, said most leaders in Nigeria were only comfortable with the word ‘reconstruction’ before they got to the office, and they soon forgot about it after they assumed power.
“And those who lead us recognise the necessity of it, recognise the importance, almost the inevitability of it until they get in power, that’s the difference.
“Reconstruction, reconfiguration, decentralisation all this is necessary in order to maximise development.
“So, reconstruction, decentralisation is not a slogan. And it is time I stopped the pretend decentralisation conferences, which have proved to be a mere distraction, especially by those who have a different agenda in mind, such as the third-time agenda,” Soyinka stated.
Soyinka, who clocks 90 this July, said most conferences on decentralisation only brought people together for a charade and warned that it was time that people stopped taking the nation for granted.
He posited that most often, the fear about restructuring was the fear of collapse or break up of the nation, arguing further that discussing the issues is better than continuing nursing concerns.
“What is wrong with the general representatives sitting down and saying this should be the protocols of association? Anything outside of it? Anyone who does not want to accept these protocols, abide by these protocols and manifest these protocols in the act should take a walk.
“I have no problem at all with even what is known as a nation beginning as a vast football field and ending up as a ping pong table if that is going to restore dignity to citizens, if that is going to guarantee three square meals a day, then so be it.
“One of my favourite expressions which people say is extreme is. Let nations die that humanity may live,” he said.
On hardship faced by citizens, the renowned poet said palliatives were temporary stopgap policies that do not reach the heart of the problem.
He emphasised that one of the enduring solutions to insecurity currently plaguing the nation was decentralising the country and bringing the government closer to the people.
The Nobel laureate also used the occasion to raise questions about the killing of Deborah Samuel in May 2022 in Sokoto State on the accusation of blasphemy.
“If last week, a judge still found it possible., logical and constitutional to order the Attorney-General of the nation to bring Dele Giwa’s killers to justice, then what happened in the case of Deborah Samuel? Just what happened there? Why is it that the case is nearly forgotten already.” he asked.
He also questioned why Rhoda Jatau, a woman, was jailed for making a video condemning the lynching of Samuel by a mob.
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
_______________________________________________________________________
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola
_______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
