Soyinka was known to be an independent mind in the 90s when he was younger. With the return of Military in Native dressing he seems weak to speak for the truth even as he romances the tyrannical government currently in the country. I stood staring blankly at the path that stretched below my abode. This has been a regular occurrence in the past days. Sometimes I will wake up standing by the window and in a flash all the memories of the recent events at State and National levels will flow throw my mind like one meditating on an initiation rites of an occult group. Currently, I was occupied not with issues as regards Information Technology, but the recent vituperations of the noble laureate, Wole Soyinka on social media and other platforms. A cause of concern for Nigerians who are not politicians but looks up to when the country will differentiate between politics and good governance, social responsibility and unconcerned attitude, collective interest and personal interest in politics, the list goes on. I stood gazing, reluctant to turn on the internet connection on my phone, the fear of reading texts that seems to be written for a man I loved so much prevented me from joining my peers on the social media platforms.
Flashing through my teenage years. I recalled when the vendor will come calling on my dad in the village to deliver the newspapers to him. The man rode on a blue Yamaha motorcycle that seemed like a motorbike begging for assistance from the motorcycle shops. The vendor will always drop at some notable compounds dropping some publications maybe for the week and at such times will have to chat with my dad on the recent development in the country before heading down the street to deliver some papers to some homes who may care. Within the period Wole Soyinka was a name in the press. He seems to speak for poor Nigerians, condemning the tyrannical tendencies of the military government then. Yes Soyinka’s knees were strong, he was bold, he spoke the truth and no one dared say anything when Wole was analyzing Nigeria’s situation. Now all these memories were past events.
Twenty years later today. Wole Soyinka is afraid the face the truth as it is. If he dare tell the present seemingly tyrannical government that it was wrong to fight corruption the Obasanjo way, how will he escape abroad with a vigor of a youth as he did in the nineties? What if he should call on the President to probe the immediate past administration in Rivers State and the Presidency will call the EFCC to probe his 82 million naira dinner with the same administration? The call by our Nobel Laureate for the Presidency to discard court orders for the release of Dasuki and Kanu is a clear sign, the once fearless literary icon is now living in fear rather than his bold self. How can one explain to Late Gani Fawemi in the world beyond now that the once fearless Wole Soyinka has been cowered by the return of the military rule in Nigeria led by the very Buhari himself. How will some amateur confraternities regard the once revered Pirate Confraternity which banner Soyinka first flagged? Is this why it is believed that great leaders like Adolf Hitler had to take his life and till date no man on earth can unravel his grave? So at old age or in the face of death one succumbs to an oppressor just to escape temporary judgment and maybe eventually dead.
While in School it was rumoured that the famous literary icon is the founder of the most revered cult ‘Pirate Confraternity’. I never cared to confirm this story as a practicing catholic since I had nothing to share with them except a few who may have been my lecturers or students sharing same campus and lecture halls. All we knew about cultists were their fearless nature. Most initiation were done at night in forests or big bushes where only the brave and the fearless could tread at such time of the day. This was cultism as explained in some manuals given to us in our first year in school so that we may know and be cautious while on campus. Now above all the cult groups it was rumoured that the sea dogs reigned supreme. In fact, because of their strides in defending the helpless, they were a registered body with the government and so they were no longer a cult group but a movement though the former tendencies loom around them.
Now Wole is old. The confraternity he established has grown stronger in Nigeria and beyond. Democracy was enthroned in Nigeria and the General Soyinka once fought changed their uniforms. Civilians were introduced into the democratic system at the detriment of the retired generals. The generals had assembled, the civilians were corrupt, oil was no more selling at 125 naira per barrel and so the generals must come to power else the resources of the nation will be shared among civilians. The resources of the Nation was for the generals not civilians. Money should only be handled by the Generals for if the civilians had too much access to the money no one will respect the generals, therefore an ex general was enthroned with votes mostly from under aged voters. Soyinka must support the government else his old age will be ruin in exile or he will be asked to cough out the 82 million naira worth meal he once shared with the criminals.
I do not have any problem with a man wearing a camouflage to hide until the storm is over. What I am angry at is the unfaithfulness of men. I once read in a book that “it is better to die with the knife on your chest than being stabbed behind”. If Soyinka should die telling the government the truth that fighting corruption selectively is what we have seen before and so we want to see a change where past governors who are now in APC will be probed under the watchful eye of the Press. If he should be ostracized defending the democracy he fought for rather than cowering in the face of intimidation then members of the revered Pirate Confraternity would once again be seen as faithful men to their calling rather than men who would abandon us when we need their experience. Recently the APC governorship candidate returned to Uyo amid cheers after it was rumoured that he was under serious investigation with the EFCC.
Now if the above rumour stands true, why has the EFCC refused to tell us the general public that the APC Governorship candidate was with them and be bold enough to tell us his crimes? Why should the EFCC scrutinize some acclaimed corrupt politicians before the camera while some arrested and discharged without public notice and the Press. The morning sun pierced through my window and retired into the room to take my seat. Surely, with Wole Soyinka’s recent vituperation against Nigerians for demanding justice, I have concluded that no man, no matter how strong he is, can stand the fear of tomorrow at old age. What is left now is for the members of the confraternity the Professor belongs as rumoured to shield him from the press since he seems to speak these days out of fear rather than courage. The Late Gani Fawemi will weep now in his grave hearing that Wole now dine with military dictators in Nigeria after they returned to power in 2015, during Wole Soyinka’s lifetime. Now however was no time to give too much thought to politics as a lot remained to be done in the area of ICT. I drew out my laptop and proceeded to the activity of the day. But before then, I will need to format my Laptop before installing Linux Operating System in it. Indeed, Wole Soyinka is a disappointment at his old age. Sad.
The above submission by Ben Bruce, the owner of Silver bird communications and a distinguished Senator of the Federal republic is a testimony to my stance once on this platform sometimes last year. I had published an article on this platform calling on the government to give grants to IT professionals in the State. I even presented an idea to the Ministry of Science and Technology and I expect that very well will be able to finalize on the project and we will be able to see what it is like when the government support ideas from the local ecosystem.
I am not a politician, I must stress. The only concern I have in politics is that the decision taken by our leaders today may either enhance or truncate technological advancement in the country. For Akwa Ibom State to have a stable government, the political party in power must be able to connect to the people now more than ever. The party must not see the rallies organized in recent times as the necessary tool to having a successful government, rather building a strong investment foundation for our youths will not only promote the political ambition of our leaders but will go a long way to proof that the ruling party cares for the people.
Like the kings in the ancient days, the PDP led government must be able to search for hidden talents among its citizens and invest accordingly. This is the best time for the PDP to tell the world that the very change Nigerians were yearning for was right within the PDP. Akwa Ibomites have no hope in the APC Governorship candidate. Therefore, understanding that the recent defection to the APC is just a camouflage by the politicians to avoid being probed, the PDP should prepare to do more grassroot connections with the people once the Supreme Court case is over and in case of a rerun which we are sure the PDP will still carry the day. Though it is glaring that the PDP is unshakeable in the State, the party must connect more to discover more unused talents and when all these talents and ideas are nurtured to maturity our brothers in other States will realize that truly, those that destroyed the PDP had left to the APC and the progress of the people will speak more than any political campaigns. Till then, we the IT Industry will continue to support the political party in power to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. Thank you. Please remember to pick up a copy of this paper next week Tuesday as I will bring you my report from the Ministries to be visited this week.
Flashing through my teenage years. I recalled when the vendor will come calling on my dad in the village to deliver the newspapers to him. The man rode on a blue Yamaha motorcycle that seemed like a motorbike begging for assistance from the motorcycle shops. The vendor will always drop at some notable compounds dropping some publications maybe for the week and at such times will have to chat with my dad on the recent development in the country before heading down the street to deliver some papers to some homes who may care. Within the period Wole Soyinka was a name in the press. He seems to speak for poor Nigerians, condemning the tyrannical tendencies of the military government then. Yes Soyinka’s knees were strong, he was bold, he spoke the truth and no one dared say anything when Wole was analyzing Nigeria’s situation. Now all these memories were past events.
Twenty years later today. Wole Soyinka is afraid the face the truth as it is. If he dare tell the present seemingly tyrannical government that it was wrong to fight corruption the Obasanjo way, how will he escape abroad with a vigor of a youth as he did in the nineties? What if he should call on the President to probe the immediate past administration in Rivers State and the Presidency will call the EFCC to probe his 82 million naira dinner with the same administration? The call by our Nobel Laureate for the Presidency to discard court orders for the release of Dasuki and Kanu is a clear sign, the once fearless literary icon is now living in fear rather than his bold self. How can one explain to Late Gani Fawemi in the world beyond now that the once fearless Wole Soyinka has been cowered by the return of the military rule in Nigeria led by the very Buhari himself. How will some amateur confraternities regard the once revered Pirate Confraternity which banner Soyinka first flagged? Is this why it is believed that great leaders like Adolf Hitler had to take his life and till date no man on earth can unravel his grave? So at old age or in the face of death one succumbs to an oppressor just to escape temporary judgment and maybe eventually dead.
While in School it was rumoured that the famous literary icon is the founder of the most revered cult ‘Pirate Confraternity’. I never cared to confirm this story as a practicing catholic since I had nothing to share with them except a few who may have been my lecturers or students sharing same campus and lecture halls. All we knew about cultists were their fearless nature. Most initiation were done at night in forests or big bushes where only the brave and the fearless could tread at such time of the day. This was cultism as explained in some manuals given to us in our first year in school so that we may know and be cautious while on campus. Now above all the cult groups it was rumoured that the sea dogs reigned supreme. In fact, because of their strides in defending the helpless, they were a registered body with the government and so they were no longer a cult group but a movement though the former tendencies loom around them.
Now Wole is old. The confraternity he established has grown stronger in Nigeria and beyond. Democracy was enthroned in Nigeria and the General Soyinka once fought changed their uniforms. Civilians were introduced into the democratic system at the detriment of the retired generals. The generals had assembled, the civilians were corrupt, oil was no more selling at 125 naira per barrel and so the generals must come to power else the resources of the nation will be shared among civilians. The resources of the Nation was for the generals not civilians. Money should only be handled by the Generals for if the civilians had too much access to the money no one will respect the generals, therefore an ex general was enthroned with votes mostly from under aged voters. Soyinka must support the government else his old age will be ruin in exile or he will be asked to cough out the 82 million naira worth meal he once shared with the criminals.
I do not have any problem with a man wearing a camouflage to hide until the storm is over. What I am angry at is the unfaithfulness of men. I once read in a book that “it is better to die with the knife on your chest than being stabbed behind”. If Soyinka should die telling the government the truth that fighting corruption selectively is what we have seen before and so we want to see a change where past governors who are now in APC will be probed under the watchful eye of the Press. If he should be ostracized defending the democracy he fought for rather than cowering in the face of intimidation then members of the revered Pirate Confraternity would once again be seen as faithful men to their calling rather than men who would abandon us when we need their experience. Recently the APC governorship candidate returned to Uyo amid cheers after it was rumoured that he was under serious investigation with the EFCC.
Now if the above rumour stands true, why has the EFCC refused to tell us the general public that the APC Governorship candidate was with them and be bold enough to tell us his crimes? Why should the EFCC scrutinize some acclaimed corrupt politicians before the camera while some arrested and discharged without public notice and the Press. The morning sun pierced through my window and retired into the room to take my seat. Surely, with Wole Soyinka’s recent vituperation against Nigerians for demanding justice, I have concluded that no man, no matter how strong he is, can stand the fear of tomorrow at old age. What is left now is for the members of the confraternity the Professor belongs as rumoured to shield him from the press since he seems to speak these days out of fear rather than courage. The Late Gani Fawemi will weep now in his grave hearing that Wole now dine with military dictators in Nigeria after they returned to power in 2015, during Wole Soyinka’s lifetime. Now however was no time to give too much thought to politics as a lot remained to be done in the area of ICT. I drew out my laptop and proceeded to the activity of the day. But before then, I will need to format my Laptop before installing Linux Operating System in it. Indeed, Wole Soyinka is a disappointment at his old age. Sad.
The government must connect
“Imagine what all these boys we arrest for Internet fraud can do if we offer them platforms to positively project their intelligence. Intelligence is like water. If you do not allow it flow through natural paths, it will flow in destructive paths like floods. Youths can use their intelligence to create Internet based business like @Jumia and Konga. Capital is the missing link! I would not be anywhere near where I am today if I did not have ¦ 20,000 capital to start Silverbird in 1980. To provide them with capital the CBN should mandate banks to reserve at least 1% of their lending to youths with ideas but no collateral. There are more @Jumia’s @Konga’s and @wakanow’s domiciled in the brains of Nigerian youths. Without capital, they’ll remain there.” Ben Murray Bruce submits on his facebook fan page.The above submission by Ben Bruce, the owner of Silver bird communications and a distinguished Senator of the Federal republic is a testimony to my stance once on this platform sometimes last year. I had published an article on this platform calling on the government to give grants to IT professionals in the State. I even presented an idea to the Ministry of Science and Technology and I expect that very well will be able to finalize on the project and we will be able to see what it is like when the government support ideas from the local ecosystem.
I am not a politician, I must stress. The only concern I have in politics is that the decision taken by our leaders today may either enhance or truncate technological advancement in the country. For Akwa Ibom State to have a stable government, the political party in power must be able to connect to the people now more than ever. The party must not see the rallies organized in recent times as the necessary tool to having a successful government, rather building a strong investment foundation for our youths will not only promote the political ambition of our leaders but will go a long way to proof that the ruling party cares for the people.
Like the kings in the ancient days, the PDP led government must be able to search for hidden talents among its citizens and invest accordingly. This is the best time for the PDP to tell the world that the very change Nigerians were yearning for was right within the PDP. Akwa Ibomites have no hope in the APC Governorship candidate. Therefore, understanding that the recent defection to the APC is just a camouflage by the politicians to avoid being probed, the PDP should prepare to do more grassroot connections with the people once the Supreme Court case is over and in case of a rerun which we are sure the PDP will still carry the day. Though it is glaring that the PDP is unshakeable in the State, the party must connect more to discover more unused talents and when all these talents and ideas are nurtured to maturity our brothers in other States will realize that truly, those that destroyed the PDP had left to the APC and the progress of the people will speak more than any political campaigns. Till then, we the IT Industry will continue to support the political party in power to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. Thank you. Please remember to pick up a copy of this paper next week Tuesday as I will bring you my report from the Ministries to be visited this week.
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