- Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka says he will not comment on President Bola Tinubu’s government at this time, citing frequent misrepresentation of his remarks by the public and media.
- Speaking to BBC Yoruba News, Soyinka said he preferred to take some time before making his assessment.
- He also reacted to the revocation of his U.S. visa, saying he refused to go to the consulate to formally cancel his visa, scoffed at officials’ requests and said they “need a visa” to enter his home if they wanted to return.
Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka says he is not yet ready to assess President Bola Tinubu’s government, explaining that his comments are often misinterpreted.
In an interview with BBC Yoruba News, he said: “I don’t want to answer because it seems like there are no words that can’t be twisted. I want to take my time. When the time comes, I’ll write down what I think.”
Soyinka also addressed the issue of his US visa being revoked and revealed that officials asked him to bring his passport to stamp the cancellation.
He refused and said: “They were joking. I told them they should come to my house and stamp it themselves. If they realized they had made a mistake, they should bring it back – but they would need a visa to enter.”
In other news… Nigerian rapper Zlatan Ibile has criticized the federal government for failing to address the country’s worsening economic woes.
The music star, in an interview with Mrs Joyce in the UK, lamented that Nigerians have become accustomed to suffering due to government inaction. He made the comments in response to British rapper Dave’s sarcastic depiction of wealthy Nigerian nightclub goers juxtaposed with poor beggars outside nightclubs.
“We are used to pain and smiles. It has always been like this and the government is doing nothing.” Zlatan said.
The artist further noted that many beggars in Nigeria have turned begging into a full-time career, despite often receiving support from generous citizens, including celebrities. He called the growing sense of entitlement among some of them “annoying.”
Zlatan advised street beggars to explore meaningful and productive ventures that restore their dignity and provide long-term financial stability.
