Pegasus Reporters Issues on the Wing
“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,” Soyinka wrote.
*Prof. Wole Soyinka
PEGASUS REPORTERS, LAGOS | OCTOBER 8, 2023
Renowned Nigerian Nobel Laureate and literary giant, Professor Wale Soyinka, has taken a swipe at those questioning his academic credentials to present their evidence regarding the allegations within 30 days or face prosecution if need be.
Professor Soyinka also charged them to submit their proofs to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) within the 30-day ultimatum.
Wole Soyinka, a graduate at Leeds University in the UK, from 1954 to 1957, where he successfully obtained an honors degree in English Literature, it will be recalled, wrote two of his initial major plays – “The Swamp Dwellers” and “The Lion and the Jewel” – before relocating to London where he served as a Play-Reader for the Royal Court Theatre, ultimately returning to Nigeria in 1960.
It will be recalled also that a certain Professor James Gibbs, is contesting that Soyinka graduated with first-class honors from Leeds University; an allegation that gained traction on social media in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s certificate-related controversy from Chicago State University (CSU).
In a statement on Friday titled “A Moral Call to Amoral Conscripts”, the Nobel laureate said if the allegations are proven to be true, he would strip himself of the honours and feats he has claimed in his writing career.
“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,” Soyinka wrote.
“The contents of that script are attributed, as before, to the scholastic industry of a Bristol schoolteacher.
“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, ICPC, plus affected institutions and others within the next thirty 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.
“This is being copied to the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria, Pan-African Writers Association, Accra, Nigeran Association of Authors, the Nobel Foundation, Stockholm, the University of Leeds, the alleged Bristol Primary Source and his school, and the infested media.”
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Pegasus Tit-Bit on why you should not eat that part of your banana fruit!
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