- Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka criticizes President Tinubu’s military intervention in Benin’s recent coup attempt.
- Soyinka calls the action “unnecessary” and warns of regional instability affecting Nigeria’s security.
- He condemns recent Lagos demolitions, urging humane treatment of displaced residents.
- Soyinka highlights misuse of state security, social media misinformation, and calls for credible journalism.
Professor Wole Soyinka expressed concern over Nigeria’s role in the recently halted coup in the Republic of Benin, describing it as “another unnecessary military entanglement next door.” Addressing the audience at the WSCIJ Awards in Lagos, he emphasized that instability in neighbouring states inevitably impacts Nigeria. “What happens in Benin inevitably affects us. Instability anywhere in the region echoes across our own sense of security,” Soyinka said.
The Nobel laureate also condemned ongoing demolitions in Lagos, highlighting the suffering of displaced residents. He stressed that while unsafe buildings or flood-prone areas may require intervention, humane evacuation and care for vulnerable families are essential. “Let us not strip away the humanity of the people affected,” he said.
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Soyinka criticized the excessive security detail provided to a young individual close to the Presidency, questioning the necessity of such displays of force. “Children must understand their place. They are not elected leaders, and they must not inherit the architecture of state power simply by proximity,” he noted.
Turning to the media, Soyinka lauded journalists for their efforts in holding power accountable but warned against the dangers of misinformation on social platforms. “The next great conflict may well be triggered by the misuse of social platforms,” he said, calling for adherence to truth, verification, and professional standards.
He concluded by emphasizing that credible journalism remains a crucial defence against chaos, urging both government and citizens to act responsibly to preserve democracy and social stability.
