Prove allegations of fake credentials against me within 30 days – Soyinka dares accusers

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

Nigerian playwright and novelist, Prof. Wole Soyinka has called on those accusing him of parading fake academic credentials to provide evidence within 30 days.

The nobel Laureate added that if found culpable, he would strip himself of any titles and honours he might have garnered in his career.

Recall that one Joseph Dahip had in a 1998 article referenced a 1996 report in which a scholar, Prof James Gibbs, was quoted as unravelling some claims allegedly made by Soyinka.

The 1996 article read, “The claim by Professor Wole Soyinka that he obtained a first-class bachelors degree in English Literature from Leeds University has been challenged. Instead, what the Nobel laureate actually obtained from Leeds was a second-class degree. This startling revelation was made by Professor James Gibbs who has closely monitored the activities of former Leeds students in English literature.”

The report quoted Gibbs as saying that he relied on a variety of sources, including contemporary Leeds publications, archival material, Soyinka’s work and “interviews I had with him” in arriving at the facts he had on Soyinka’s academic records.

Reacting, Soyinka in a statement on Friday titled: “A Moral Call to Amoral Conscripts”, said he would voluntarily waive all protection under the statute of limitations, and insisted that the laws that govern fraudulent academic claims be invoked and applied to these allegations against him to the uttermost limit.

The statement partly read,  “A document of unmatchable scurrility, last encountered during General Sani Abacha’s global campaign of calumny against opponents of his despotic, infernally venal and homicidal reign, is back in circulation. Duly modified to suit a debased internet culture, it is making its grimy rounds ironically under the auspices of a democratic political party, supposedly dedicated to an ethos of freedom of opinion and expression. The contents of that script are attributed, as before, to the scholastic industry of a Bristol schoolteacher.

While awaiting a decision from my lawyers whether or not to dignify the current sponsors of this mouldy tract with legal action, I wish to state in advance that I voluntarily waive all protection under the statute of limitations, and insist that the laws that govern fraudulent academic claims be invoked and applied to these allegations to the uttermost limit.  I also declare, in advance, that if found culpable, I shall strip myself of any titles and honours I may have garnered in my entire career, from the most obscure to the most coveted.

In return, I expect the purveyors of this sordid material to submit all evidence, however minuscule, to the nation’s investigative agencies – Directorates of Prosecutions, EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission), plus affected institutions and others – within the next 30 days. Failing this elementary service in public interest within the stated time, and/or if such allegations are yet again proven baseless, thus indicating that their sponsors can boast of neither honours to their careers nor honour to their births and origins, then, as a token of moral recompense, they should undertake to jump off the bridge of the symbolic River Niger, provided with life jackets to ensure a life of remorse after this ritual purgation, but chained to one another in a commendable unity of purpose,” he added.

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE
Queen Ferry
Queen Ferry
Chinyere Treasure Ikechukwu also known as Queen Ferry, is a Nigerian business Executive, social media savvy Journalist and Content Editor with over seven years experience. She serves as the Vice-Chairman of Naijatraffic Limited. If Treasure is not researching/blogging, she will be making delicious delicacy.

Popular Related

Plateau gov lifts curfew on Jos

Caleb Mutfwang, the Plateau State Governor has declared the lifting of the curfew earlier imposed on Jos, the state capital. The governor disclosed this on...

90th Birthday: Tinubu names National Theatre after Wole Soyinka

President Bola Tinubu has renamed the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, after Professor Wole Soyinka. The president disclosed this in a letter he wrote to...

Lagos 5th youth assembly gets inaugurated

The fifth Assembly of the Lagos State Youth Parliament was officially inaugurated by the Lagos State Government. During the event held on Wednesday at the...

Plateau governor unveils e-governance platform for transparency

Caleb Mutfwang, the Plateau State Governor, has disclosed an e-governance platform in the state. The e-governance platform is aimed at fostering transparent, efficient, and accountable...

Kwara gov praises women appointees

AbdulRahman Abdulrasheed, the Kwara State Governor, said that appointed and wlected female public officers in the state have lived up to the task before...

Gombe can’t pay N70,000 minimum wage – Gov Yahaya

Inuwa Yahaya, the Gombe State Governor, said that his administration cannot afford the new national minimum wage of N70,000, with the lean allocation to...

A Lawsuit has been filed against Nigerian Army by okuama vilagers

The Okuama village in Ughelli North Local Government Area filed a N100 billion lawsuit against the Nigeria Army on Thursday, alleging the military assault...

Five injured in Jigawa farmers, herders’ clash

No fewer than five people were injured in a farmer-herdsmen clash at Hayin Kogi forest in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State. This...

Government Officials, SANS pay last respects to Late Governor Akeredolu

On Wednesday, a special court session and lying-in-state were held in Akure as part of the ongoing funeral preparations for Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, the...

Atiku Was Confident And God Was Laughing – Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu Obasanjo, has Stated that Atiku Abubakar, Who also served as Vice President during his tenure...