Yesterday May 21st, literary giant Professor Wole Soyinka released
a statement to several media houses wherein he explained that although, he may
have publicly censured the nation's First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck,
he never referred her as an 'illiterate' woman. He further explained that his
name is being used to disrespect the First Lady, and that he will employ legal
actions once he discovers who the source of the lie is. Though, on one occasion
in an interview with CNN's Amanpour, he referred to the President's wife as that
woman.
Read his statement in part...
"It commenced over a year ago, I seem to recollect, as a telephone text, 'tweet' or whatever it is called, died away after strong rebuttals, and is now being provided renewed life by some faceless cowards with their own private agenda. Let me state quite clearly that literacy is no indicator of intelligence, even though we all believe (I hope) in universal literacy. From childhood I have interacted with so-called "illiterate" men and women, sipped from their innate intelligence, and learnt much from them outside formal schooling"...
"Your readers may wish to know that when I first encountered the statement, I was sufficiently appalled to send a personal message to Patience Jonathan dissociating myself from such a base sentiment. The associated commentary on the president's decisions - I have no idea which decision, if any - is equally outrageous and disgusting. To attribute to me the slightest interest in the choice of a spouse by man or woman is a complete travesty of my near obsessive belief in the sanctity of private relationships"
“Let me take this opportunity to announce yet again that I do not tweet, blog or whatever goes on in this increasingly promiscuous medium. I do not run a Facebook, even though I am aware that one or two serious-minded individuals/groups have instituted some such forum on their own, for the purpose of disseminating factual information on my activities. I neither contribute to, nor comment on the contents of their "calendar".
Regarding the Internet as a new medium for disparaging people's
images, the Professor advised that professional actions should be employed to
protect the integrity of the medium, and save it from being 'a mere vomitorium'
for unprincipled scallywags who may or may not have a true opinion to express.
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