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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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Why crisis persists in Nigeria, by Soyinka
THE identity question has been fingered as a possible reason for the multiplicity of demands in the collective development of the country.
The observation was made yesterday by Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, at a lecture to mark the birthday of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.
Titled "Myth and History in Quest for Identity", Soyinka said the struggle for identity could be linked to the numerous conflicts across the globe, especially parts of Africa.
He maintained that in most cases, the pursuit for identity often dictated by selfish interests in leadership.
Using Zamfara State as a case study, Soyinka wondered whether the educational policies of that state government did not amount to secession.
He said myth should not be used to destroy historical facts.
In obvious reference to the controversy generated by the book, "I remain Sir, Your Obedient Servant" written by the Oba of Benin, he said instead of the dispute generated over the origin of Oduduwa and the relationship between the Yoruba and Edo people, there should be a healthy form of inquiry into the past for a better future in the general desire for knowledge. He asserted that this should not be allowed to degenerate into "self-serving exercises."
Soyinka said there were numerous lessons to be learnt from the past. He maintained that it was the question of identity that had often motivated his advocacy that Nigerian universities close down for at least one year for self-examination for objective answers to their identity question.
Soyinka praised Chief Igbinedion for his vision particularly in education and arts. He compared Igbinedion with the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola who combined business with activism and numerous contributions to human development.
He said the Igbinedion University, Okada, where the lecture took place, was like many of the renowned universities across the globe that started as private institutions. Soyinka maintained that the combination of the problems created by the identity questions made the call for a national conference imperative.
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