Professor Wole Soyinka, a renowned writer and Nobel laureate, has admitted that he does not use social media because of its potentially harmful effects.
Unlock Legit.ng’s finest content on Pinterest! Join today to receive daily inspiration!
According to The Nation, the 88-year-old dramatist claimed that over time, owing to technology misuse, social media usage and pleasure has regressed civilization.
This was said by him on Friday, June 16, at Freedom Park Lagos, where his most recent book of interventions, “The Putin Files,” was unveiled.
Prof. Soyinka expressed his displeasure with social media and its use by saying:
“I don’t tweet, I don’t WhatsApp. I tried WhatsApp but I stopped.”
The playwright also gave a brief insight into his new piece, he said:
“Project Nigeria, I must confess, has become near terminally soul-searing. Do I still believe in it? I am no longer certain, but first we must rid ourselves of the tyranny of the ignorant and the opportunism of time-servers.
“In any case, there is not much else to engage one on a foundation of ownership stakes. There is, of course, always the possibility of a revolution, with a clarity of purpose and acceptance of all attendant risks, including costly errors.
“Revolutions are not, however, based on the impetus of speculative power entitlement. No matter, until that moment, the structures that ensures just and equitable cohabitation must be protected from partisan appropriation – be it from material inducement, fake news or verbal terrorism – the last being the contribution of one who is positioned to assume co-leadership of the nation, no less.”
While speaking on the new book, Soyinka called for a review of the concept of democracy.
Soyinka said Putin, as used in his book, is a metaphor and reality, adding: “We can’t be shielded from what is happening.”
He, however, described EndSARS as one of the most successful movements in this country because it was based on truth.