Explains link with Amaechi

AT 79, Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature, Prof. Wole Soyinka, seems not to have lost his zeal for standing up against those he perceives to use their public office to oppress others in Nigeria.

And though the afternoon open-door lecture series was supposed to be a commemoration of his birthday, he quickly swapped the garment of a celebrant with that of a political activist as it became necessary. Referring to the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan’s alleged meddling in the affairs of Rivers State and abuse of power, Soyinka asked, “What’s the problem with Madam Shepopotamus?”

Fielding questions from a member of the audience at the African Centre in Covent Garden, venue of Saturday’s “WS79 – Memoirs of Our Future: An Audience with Prof. Wole Soyinka,” he said he was not afraid to stand up and call the First Lady to order and also educate her if she cannot take a cue from how other first ladies behave.

“People said I call her a domestic appendage, what’s the problem with that? What’s the problem with Madam Shepopotamus?”

Pressed to comment on the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, Soyinka revealed: “What happened in Rivers began long ago, before five decided that five was greater than 27. If we don’t move in support of the truth at certain mathematics, we shouldn’t be surprised if the next mathematics anomaly takes place at our doorstep.”

He added: “We move when there’s interference, when all roads are closed – for hours - because she’s going to her hairdresser.”

He argued that if members of the civil society do nothing when such abuse is taking place in Rivers, Ibadan and Lagos, then Nigerians should not be surprised when a curfew is imposed the next time she is visiting their state.

He called on Dame Jonathan to take a cue from President Barack Obama’s wife, stating: “We ask unelected people to look around and see how the Mrs. Michelle Obamas of the world are conducting themselves,” adding, however, that if the Dames of this world do not learn, “we must educate them.”

Asked if he was a friend of the embattled Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Soyinka replied: “That Amaechi is my friend is not an allegation,” because he would be friends with anyone who has been given the mandate of the people through the electoral process.

According to him, he is not afraid to be associated with such if they are fulfilling their obligations and responsibilities of governance. He added: “To say the Governor of Rivers is my close friend is like saying Kayode Fayemi or Dr. Babangida Aliyu or Governor Ibikunle Amosun or even the Second Republic Governor, Mohammed Shugaba, in Shagari’s administration, is my friend.”

However, Soyinka said ‘it’s not a matter of friendship,” but defence of democracy and truth, stressing that he would not be afraid to switch loyalty if the people he once praised change and start oppressing the very people who elected them.

Meanwhile, he commended Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State who he said has provided educational opportunities for all in the state.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php/national-news/127772-why-im-at-war-with-first-lady-by-soyinka


http://www.theguardianmobile.com/readNewsItem1.php?nid=15625

Well said Wole Soyinka. You have always stood for the truth

Whether its to fight for Biafra and end up in jail

Whether its to be the negotiator for MEND

Whether its to lead protest against the cabal to make Retardeen Jonathan president

You even supported the appointment of Patience Retardeen the Shepopotamus as Special adviser.

Now its left to Retardeen to put a leash on the SHEPOPOTAMUS

Once again well said Kongi

Bull-eye! Right on point. Nigeria will get better if law-abiding Nigerians will stand by the truth.

Thank you Soyinka. God bless Nigeria.

“People said I call her a domestic appendage, what’s the problem with that? What’s the problem with Madam Shepopotamus?”

Uncouth and unbecoming of an elder statesman ...

Well said uncle WOLE.you could not have said it better.she should be called to order by her husband

Do or die politics does not leave room for correction in the public.

Uncle Wole, just ignore this 'madam Shepopotamus'. You can't definitely descend so low engaging 'madam Shepopotamus' in grammatical tantrums.

Abeg uncle, bone her side Jare. Don't let her tarnish your image sir.

Maxymilliano:

Uncouth and unbecoming of an elder statesman ...

that's d only part ur eyes would see. Why not read d corrective parts nd learn frm it too. No wonder Nig is still d way it is wiv pple like u.

I understand his frustration. The way Nigerian politicians do things in their own country is appalling...

Maxymilliano:


“People said I call her a domestic appendage, what’s the problem with that? What’s the problem with Madam Shepopotamus?”

Seems Soyinka now has a penchant for uncouth languages...even if you want to correct someone and in doing that you lace insults on the person naturally the person will become infuriated and would never listen to whatever you have to say...

Our dear soyinka there is something called COMMON SENSE...seek it and apply it or risk further insults from people who on a normal day would not dare exchanging words with you..

pheyikemi: that's d only part ur eyes would see. Why not read d corrective parts nd learn frm it too. No wonder Nig is still d way it is wiv pple like u.

And what has Nigeria become with people like you who applaud elders correcting someone with insult and name-calling?

Sad... Now there is a new word ... A word is a enough for the wise. I thought this man had wisdom but he is basking more in the folly of entertaining Nigerians with words. Shepopotamus is so chauvinistic. Sad.

Maxymilliano:

And what has Nigeria become with people like you who applaud correcting someone with insult and name-calling?

Abeg park ur sorry as$ to one side, even a lay man knws d reason behind ur thread is to mouth abusive words @ him.

pheyikemi: Abeg park ur sorry as$ to one side, even a lay man knws d reason behind ur thread is to mouth abusive words @ him.

And where is the abusive words I've mouthed so far, or does uncouth and unbecoming sounds abusive to your blockhead? ?

pheyikemi: Abeg park ur sorry as$ to one side, even a lay man knws d reason behind ur thread is to mouth abusive words @ him.

We all really need to calm down and not toe the same line with our elders on this one. Be he Prof or shepopotamus. I don't feel great addressing First Lady in this manner in my attempt to highlight why all the insults are unnecessary. Let us not be subjective.

This old parrot will not stop to amaze me. Must you look 4 attention at all time. Ur a cultist

I said it she should see what 1st ladies are busy doing. Governor race is coming up if she wants to run things she should put her name as a contender! See if her people will vote her in or not .

that if the Dames of this world do not learn, “we must educate them.”.

Gbam

Why can't this megalomania keep quite on this supposed/perceived PEJ and Amaechi rancour, he has exposed his bitter part and irrespective of all calls from his admirers to keep shut.

Wole Soyinka, you are on a spiral depreciation and in conflict of personal interest or probably disdain for womanhood.

Enough of you and madam PEJ.

[size=20]New Word: Shepopotamus Soyinka, Easy On The Illiterate Na! [/size]

LOL at Shepopotamus! Creative, I must say!

For those who think it's an insult, it's actually called a metaphor. The First Lady has carried herself, recently, in the manner of a hippo: bullish, uncordinated, destructive and over-zealous! So it's not actually a name-calling. If you recall during the days of Obasanjo's library, when Dangote, Adenuga and others were literally 'forced' to donate towards the library project (Adenuga was 'punished' for donating below the amount OBJ told him to donate), Soyinka termed the donation process 'executive extortion'. It's metaphor, people!

Last week, Jose Mourinho said his Chelsea players trained like animals. . .do you consider that an insult? NO!

Spot on Prof. Wole for President!

Hey! What is the meaning of Shepopo pls?

Maxymilliano:

And where is the abusive words I've mouthed so far, or does uncouth and unbecoming sounds abusive to your blockhead? ?

Is dat all u can say ? I'm so disappointed in u. I guess blockhead z d only english u undastnd. Can't u read inbtw lines? Read all u've posted nd c hu d real blockhead is. .

Never knew Wole is this jobless and bored.

alienvirus: Hey! What is the meaning of Shepopo pls?

She popo is for the wife, while he popo is the husband. . .both are of the hippopotamus family.

well said prof its not about friendship but rather standing for the truth. Be careful what you wish for madam.

slikcipher: Never knew Wole is this jobless and bored.

if standing for wats truth is termed jobless and bored in your dictionary you can get him a.job

slap1: LOL at Shepopotamus! Creative, I must say!

For those who think it's an insult, it's actually called a metaphor. The First Lady has carried herself, recently, in the manner of a hippo: bullish, uncordinated, destructive and over-zealous! So it's not actually a name-calling. If you recall during the days of Obasanjo's library, when Dangote, Adenuga and others were literally 'forced' to donate towards the library project (Adenuga was 'punished' for donating below the amount OBJ told him to donate), Soyinka termed the donation process 'executive extortion'. It's metaphor, people!

Last week, Jose Mourinho said his Chelsea players trained like animals. . .do you consider that an insult? NO!

Metaphor that translates to what? Enough of this nonsense. I see you are definitely entertained and have found name calling directed at PEJ a new source of amusement.

The title of the thread is subjective and misleading. It implies that the prof. has accepted that he is at war with PEJ (as opposed to actually educating and advicing her), and is now trying to justify the 'war'.

mancheeutd:

if standing for wats truth is termed jobless and bored in your dictionary you can get him a.job

Oga go back to sleep