[size=13pt]. . . his visit insensitive, an ego trip — Soyinka[/size]

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Maiduguri visit to the family of Mohammed Yusuf, the slain leader of the fundamentalist Boko Haram sect, as one of the ‘crassest, most insensitive, self ingratiating acts ever recorded in the history of any nation in recent memory.’


Soyinka in a press statement on Saturday did not hide his disgust at the ex-President’s action and said the timing of the visit was wrong because the nation and the international community was still mourning victims of the August 26 suicide bombing attack of the United Nations office in Abuja — an attack the Boko Haram claimed responsibility for.


The playwright said this was not a time for anyone to play statesman because the country was yet to come to terms with the UN office bombing and the survivors of the attack were still in trauma.


He said Obasanjo’s visit had turned the UN commemoration event to a charade and an empty husk without the germ of authentic fellow feeling.


He said, “Timing is a crucial part of leadership intelligence and sensibility. It is in fact a bedrock formation of military training. Was it an accident of timing, or was it deliberate, that this ex-militrician president undertook his visit at the time when the major part of the nation attempted to come together in communion with the souls of the departed, and in sympathy with the trauma of the survivors?


“It is known as an ego trip. You do not play ‘statesman’ over the mangled bodies of victims, least of all where their violators insist on the righteousness of their very conduct.”


Soyinka said the visit to the late Yusuf’s family was unnecessary because the Boko Haram sect had not expressed remorse or conceded to error; rather the sect had threatened more bomb attacks after the UN incident.


He said, “It goes beyond politics and involves sheer decency, sensitivity and the capacity for just compassion. It is gross, indecent, worse than pornographic, an obsequious consecration of violence, a groveling, simpering inauguration of a culture of submissiveness in the face of aggravation; all masquerading as statesman conscience and pietistic justifications such as - Blessed are the Peacemakers.


“Peacemaking? Very well. But do you select a day on which the survivors gather to reconcile with their losses and gather strength for the future? What has happened here is a pitiable spectacle that covers a nation in shame; and let there be no mistake, it is anything but passive.


“It is an act of aggression, a slap in the face of the bereaved and wounded, including the permanently disfigured. It desecrates the memory of the fallen and casts doubts on any claim to humanism and capacity for compassion of the Nigerian people.”

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201109183143720

This is it, atleast we still ve uncle wole who will always say it the way it should be. No rational mind will see the wisdom in obj's self endulged or fg approved mission. Pls we should stop equating folishness with statemanship, this moves was so dumb, wrong and retrogresive. Obj's ego triping has resulted to the assasination of the family head he had a private discussion with barely 72hrs after his unsolicited ungodly visit. The prof just used the exact words for the 90 someting yr old evil man claiming to be 70 someting. Its even more disgusting to imagine that d FG applauded this stupid act, look at the outcome now.

@byrron
Please shut up. Since you and Soyinka do not know the strategy behind the visit. To critisize without knowledge is foolishness.

I love Wole Soyinka. He speaks the simple truth every time. Its a shame we have ppl praising such an evil move by OBJ. The man wants to see himself relevant by any means available at the detriment of others. Soon a block-head will come and call this Yoruba diplomacy in action. Jesus Christ!

So because Soyinka said its not okay, then we should all agree with him that its not ok?

What makes Soyinka a better person than OBJ? What makes Soyinka's opinions better than that of OBJ?

Tell me why Soyinka is right and OBJ is wrong.

WereLepri, u don't need an answer. If u don't know then move on.

udezue:

WereLepri, u don't need an answer. If u don't know then move on.

Wise man. That your answer will surely win you the peace awards.

Well Wole Soyinka really lost it here. He should remember that Boko Haram at the moment has no true face. I believe the motive behind the visit is to settle the family in order to eliminate odds, so that in the even that the bombing continues after the settlement with the family then we will be left with the only option that it is sponsored by the ex president OR OBJ as 007 is gathering information for the CIA

lol

Soyinka is very correct. He makes alot of sense. What he said were the same thoughts that came to my mind when i heard of obj's move. Timing is everything even in leadership. With families mourning the killings of loved ones, how could he do such? N pple r busy applauding him. SMH

Soyinka is concerned about the timing of OBJ's visit.

Besides, this visit ought to have been discreet, not publicized. It is because it was publicized that the host has now been murdered.

it is easy to sit on d fence and spot d wrong tackles or mistakes in those playing d football. Uncle Wole has spoken. He maybe right from his own point of view. he may be wrong. but where was he? when d government is helpless and d maradonas and his cohorts are in d cave dinning and smiling, approving and gnashing dir teeth for a next execution. why shouldnt a fada go and talk to the boy bulling his son for him. why would he do that?


Cos, Wole has spoken. Big english, nice language, beautiful parade. all of u, now succumb. lets check d death toll and consider d future. Education has been a disease and that is why they are being brain- washed.

He did well, whether at d right time or wrong. its ok now. cos, they say, make hay while,

maybe if were had family and friends in the un bomblast he would understand what soyinka is talking about. seriously, there should be some sort of age/intelligence test before people have access to this section

Wole Soyinka is back again with his bullshit, na when money don dey finish for em hand e dey come out to spit rubbish. This are people praying for disaster in nigeria everyday. Hey Mr Wole thanks since you been splitting bullshit nothing has changed. Your words are meaningless for now.

@jondoe100 or whatever, so obj going to see the brother in law to the murdered boko haram leader is what u termed strategic right? Im nw convince that ur gross insensitivity and ur inability to comprehend what the prof stated even though he went a step further to simplify and itemize it for people like u to get it and see why the visit was wrong unfortunately not every1 is gifted with wisdom. May be nw that d guy obj met has been assasinated, u mr johndoe100 will also see it as being strategic too.ITS RLY FUNNY D WAY SOME OF US DO REASON

Boko Haram visit: Obasanjo’s host shot dead
On September 18, 2011 · In Headlines ,
By Jide Ajani

Babakura Fugu , the representative of Mohammed Yusuf’s family that received former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Thursday, has been killed.

He was shot dead yesterday.

His assailants were said to have been led by his younger brother.

Yusuf was the deceased leader of the now dreaded Ahlan Sunnah Lid Da’waati wal Jihad Yaanaa (brothers), popularly known as the Boko Haram sect, who was killed while in police custody in December 2009.

Sources told Sunday Vanguard that members of the sect may have felt he (Fugu) shouldn’t have been the one to receive Obasanjo.

It was learnt that “there may have been evidence of envy in the ranks of the sect members”.

In addition, it was gathered that the former president gave a gift of cash to the family after his meeting.

The money (the exact amount which could not be ascertained) is being rumoured to be a source of friction among the sect members.

According to the sources, Boko Haram members had put in place a formula for the sharing of whatever proceeds that may come into the purse of the sect – made up of either money stolen from banks or gifts.

The sharing formula is said to have five overheads viz:
* Widows of members
* Zhakat
* Less privileged members
* Sukrah – this is the highest ruling organ of the sect
* Members who robbed or got the money into the purse of the group.

Although unconfirmed, Sunday Vanguard learnt that “Fugu may have jettisoned this sharing formula”.

The former president had met with members of Yusuf’s family at the family house in Maiduguri
Obasanjo, who arrived at the Maiduguri airport, on Thursday at 11:40 a.m., was received by the state deputy governor, Zanna Umar Mustapha.

The meeting with the family members lasted about 90 minutes. Obasanjo met Yusuf’s family members at Railway Quarters, the demolished headquarters of the sect.

Obasanjo, at that meeting, said: “This is a personal initiative.
“I urge you to forgive and forget the past.

“I plead with you, give me the chance to mediate between the family and government”.
In response, Fugu, Yusuf’s brother-in-law, whose father was executed in 2009 and he himself killed in yesterday’s incident, said, “Since 2009, this is the first time any high profile figure would be commiserating with the family.

“We are happy with this visit.

“About 30 to 40 per cent of our members are scattered in neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroun”.

The former president thereafter departed Borno.

Earlier on Wednesday, Obasanjo was in Jos, the Plateau State capital, which has been a theatre of ethno-religious killings.

His visit to Jos saw him holding talks with the leadership of Jamatu Nasir Islam, JNI, and the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, as well as leaders of Plateau State.

Although details of Obasanjo’s meetings with the Boko Haram members and the Plateau religious leaders were not immediately known, Sunday Vanguard was made to understand that they were not unconnected with the increase in the wave of bombings and killings in the country.
Yusuf, the Boko Haram leader, was killed while in the custody of the police in Maiduguri after his arrest by men of the Joint Task Force, JTF.

Already, some policemen are being tried for the extra-judicial killing. The trial is believed to be a way of assuaging the feelings of the sect leaders and getting them to cease fire.


File photo: Suspected Boko Haram members after their arrest.
But the bombings and killings have continued with the United Nations headquarters in Abuja being the latest target to be hit by the Boko Haram members, leaving scores of people dead. Before then, they had bombed the police headquarters in Abuja.

From my own point of view yusuf's family is not in control of this present boko haram. The fact that the family spokes man was killed goes a long way to show that the present day boko haram is different from that of 2009

i DISAGREE WIT U. IN EVERY GROUP, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WE LISTEN TO. AND LEVEL, CAN NEVER SCATTER A GROUP. WOMAN CAN NEVER DISTABILIZE A GROUP. ALCOHOL CANT EITHER. EVEN SEX ETC.

BUT, MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. WHEN MONEY IS PUT IN PLACE, SHARING FORMULA COMES IT. COS, ITS AN UNPLANNED CASH.

WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH? AND MAYBE HE WAS FIGHTING FOR DEM TO GIVE IT ALL TO D FAMILY WHILE SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING NO.

NOW, MONEY CAN CAUSE AN IN HOUSE FIGHT FOR DEM.

Soyinka is going senile.

Very stupidd criticism on his part, and pointless too.

Anyway, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man [Soyinka] who points out how the strong man [OBJ] stumbles, or where the doer of deeds [OBJ] could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man [OBJ] who is actually in the [Boko Haram] arena, whose face is marred by [Borno] dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that [OBJ's] place shall never be with those cold and timid [Soyinka] who know neither victory nor defeat.”

OBJ has done something for the greater good of our society, when was the last time Soyinka did something great for Nigeria, besides trying to overthrow the government and whining to successive US ambassadors.

Ode alainironu agbaya.

Must he criticize everything OBJ does.

[color=#990000]This is just personal beef for OBJ, who says Wole Soyinka's views cannot be distorted
Remember we are not talking about Literature here, so he should shut his Confraternity mouth
this time around!!! [/color]

@mitofia
waa soriire. obasanjo has done more good to Nigeria than this man called Soyinka who prefers to criticize instead of being actively involved in putting things aright for the fear of failing. I, confidently and conviniently, call big OBJ fearless and brave and small Soyinka a coward.

Nigerian have grown beyond big grammars. OBJ did the right thing whether it was timely or not. It is much easier to criticize others than to shudder the responsility. Moving from Jos to Maiduguri in 24 hours is heroic in nature and commendable. When the C in C is being attacked on daily basis for not just saying anything about the crisis, somebody actually made a trip to the lions' dens. OBJ claimed it was a learning visit and we're getting facts based on this visit. This is because Boko Haram claim that they are fighting for their their leaders who lost their lifes at the hand police, but how come they killed the same family member after the visit. This development of visit and subsequent assassination of Baba Fugu will actually provide further insight for the FG on the state of the sect and its activities.

all I see in Soyinka's statement is ENGLISH. dat doesnt make him right. OBJ can choose whatever time he deems fit to mediate. How has Soyinka tried to help out in any way. All he does is criticise, criticise and criticise.

How about Soyinka bringing out a different formula to use in dealing with this crisis.

its sad - all these empty headed teeny boppers running their mouths and making it clear to us that their generation is already lost

which way forward nigeria?

wole soyinka has shed more of his blood for this country than most of you empty headed louts know.

he was imprisoned by different regimes for speaking his mind.

OAM4J:

[size=13pt]. . . his visit insensitive, an ego trip — Soyinka[/size]

He said, “It goes beyond politics and involves sheer decency, sensitivity and the capacity for just compassion. It is gross, indecent, worse than pornographic, an obsequious consecration of violence, a groveling, simpering inauguration of a culture of submissiveness in the face of aggravation; all masquerading as statesman conscience and pietistic justifications such as - Blessed are the Peacemakers.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201109183143720

Is Wole Soyinka smoking some leaves? who told him Pornographyyy is bad? Shame on him lol

Wole soyinka is one person I respect a lot but this criticism toasted against OBJ's visit to BH is showing how old and vulnerable he is becoming.when Nigerians had the news that OBJ visited late Yusuf family most were applauding him some where even saying OBJ has gone to hell and came out alive,now with the immediate outcome of the visit even Wole soyinka has some thing to say.why didn't he condemned the visit earlier and what would he had done if he were to be OBJ? Soyinka is slowing down he should allow these men do their thing,Obj is not just a stateman he is an envoy to the UN in Africa,so I believe he knows what he's doing.r thing,Obj is not just a stateman he is an envoy to the UN in Africa,so I believe he knows what he's doing.

soyinka is the one looking for cheap heroism. he is part of a group of useless people who build their career on bashing other people. do we know if obj is on a state security cover? does he care to even imagine that with this trip obj might have gained some valuable info? what if they have dropped devices in the premises to monitor the family's communication with others? soyinka's need to play to the intl community has blinded him to even consider the weight of his own stupidity!

Lol @ OBJ's visit is worse than pornography.

Soyinka hates OBJ with a passion. That's why whatever Obasanjo does whether right or wrong must be met with criticisms from Soyinka. Though he may ne right about the timing but I want to believe obasanjo's visit was in good fate.

qoute

I cannot support Uncle Wole on this with all the respect I have for him. The truth is that Obasanjo's visit should have been before any bomb attacks started but then better late than never. Any measure taken for the sake of peace should be encouraged no matter who the messenger is and to what self serving purposes they chose such a course of action. This smirks of personal beef and suggests to me that Uncle Wole is getting as cranky as OBJ in his old age as well.

Soyinka has just goofed. I used to be happy each time he took on OBJ, not anymore. The timing is even the best time. According to soyinka himself, boko haram has promised to bomb 18 nigerian universities beggining with UI. If soyinka has a child in one of these schools, then, he would have been the worst nigerian dad. I want to ask soyinka one question. How many nigerian students' lives does he feel is equavalent to to the destruction of boko haram? For him to be saying this in a country where impunity reigns supreme, is even the worse gaffe anyone of his calibre can commit. Has he forgotten how chief bola ige was killed so brutaly and not a person was ever in jail now for that offence? Instead of suggesting ways to tackle boko haram, he wants to dampen the spirit of someone who took great personal risks to do just that. Prof pls amend ur ways. If somewhere as protected as that UN house was easily breached, wat then would befall our universities which, unfortunately, are one of the least protect in the world.

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Maiduguri visit to the family of Mohammed Yusuf, the slain leader of the fundamentalist Boko Haram sect, as one of the ‘crassest, most insensitive, self ingratiating acts ever recorded in the history of any nation in recent memory.’

Absolutely on point.
Even though, a very good percentage of us is in comatose but it is very refreshing to know that a few Nigerians are still alert and sensible.

If I were the president OBJ would have been arrested right away.