Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has said that he neither tweets nor uses the WhatsApp.
He said this as he lamented that social media was being terribly abused by all and sundry.
He also described the state of affairs in the country as near terminally soul-searing at the unveiling of his latest works, titled, ‘The Putin Files’, in Lagos, on Friday.
Soyinka expressed grave concern over abuse of the new technology and social media, adding that the wrong usage of space is gradually taking humanity backwards.
Soyinka, who confessed to not being a fan of the social media, added “I don’t tweet, I don’t whatsapp. I tried WhatsApp but I stopped.”
Reading from his new works, the Nobel Laureate stated: “Project Nigeria, I must confess, has become near terminally soul-searing. Do I still believe in it? I am no longer certain. But, first, we must rid ourselves of the tyranny of the ignorant and the opportunism of time servers.
“In any case, there is not much else to engage one on a foundation of ownership stakes. There is of course always the possibility of a revolution, with a clarity of purpose and acceptance of all attendant risks, including costly errors.
“Revolutions are not however based on the impetus of speculative power entitlement. No matter, until that moment, the structures that ensure just and equitable cohabitation must be protected from partisan appropriation-be it from material inducement, fake news or verbal terrorism-the last being the contribution of one who is positioned to assume co-leadership of the nation, no less.”
“When a symbol does emerge, however, we are still obliged to examine every aspect of what is fortuitously an offer, and continue to guard our freedoms every inch of the way,” he added.
He, however, described the name ‘Putin’, as used in the book, as a metaphor and reality, adding that since the world has become a global village, individuals can no longer be shielded from happenings on the global stage.
