Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has urged for the reconfiguration and decentralization of Nigeria as essential steps toward national progress. Speaking at the 50th-anniversary lecture of the Punch newspaper under the theme “Recovering the Narrative,” Soyinka criticized the efficacy of national conferences, labeling them as distractions.
Soyinka emphasized the importance of reconfiguration and decentralization, highlighting that these are not mere slogans but necessary measures for governance. He criticized the lack of tangible outcomes from previous conferences and urged leaders to cease using them as political tools.
According to Soyinka, decentralization would bring governance closer to the people, fostering productivity and accountability at the grassroots level. He stressed that discussions among representatives should determine protocols of association, with dissenters free to opt out.
Soyinka cautioned against neglecting issues that erode national unity, warning that civil conflicts would persist if certain segments of society feel marginalized. Referencing the Biafran war, he challenged the notion that the conflict was conclusively resolved, citing ongoing secessionist movements.
The Nobel laureate called for a reevaluation of Nigeria’s nation-building process, advocating for the recognition of self-determination rights. He proposed a reconfiguration of the nation based on the willingness of its constituents, rejecting forced integration.
In her remarks, Ogun State deputy governor Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele praised Punch newspaper for its commitment to investigative journalism and truth-telling. She acknowledged the newspaper’s role in shaping public discourse and urged it to continue promoting transparency and accountability.
Minister for Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris commended Punch newspaper for its contributions to journalism and encouraged support for President Bola Tinubu’s economic initiatives.
The event was attended by dignitaries including former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi, former PDP governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje, former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari Garba Shehu, and Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
