Nigeria in a parlous situation, nobody is in charge –Soyinka

Nobel Laurette, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has declared that Nigeria is in a parlous situation as nobody is in charge.

He added that the year 2020 has been the most challenging year as a result of the many problems facing the nation.

Soyinka who made the comments on Wednesday at the Booksellers, venue of the presentation of his new book, ‘Chronicles of the happiest people on earth,’ a book with over 500 pages, stated that the situation in Nigeria was worse as a result of the imperial nature of its leadership.

Speaking further during the book presentation, Soyinka said that the situation in the country had reached a point where you are not very sure of where you are going and where you will end.

Soyinka also stated that the present situation in the country is not the way a nation should be and not the way the citizens should exist.

READ ALSO: Soyinka says he’s forgiven Gowon, reveals those he can’t forgive

He said; “With the turbulence that characterises year 2020, and as activities wind down, the mood has been repugnant and very negative. I don’t want to sound pessimistic but this is one of the most pessimistic years I have known in this nation and it wasn’t just because of COVID-19, no. Natural disasters had happened elsewhere but how have you managed to take such in their strides?

“Was calamity as a result of human negligence or as a result of malignant activities when people find themselves under the control of other beings which I am afraid what most Nigerians find themselves in, it is like you don’t know from where the blow would descend. That is not the way a nation should be and that is not the way the citizens should exist.

“Situation has reached a point where you are not very sure of where you are going and where you will end it. As I had said before, you don’t believe, in many instances, that anybody is in charge. That, really, it’s a parlous condition for any nation… So, I am afraid it has not been a very good year for me generally,” Soyinka added.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now