WOLE SOYINKA'S 'DOMESTIC APPENDAGE' REVISITED

07 Aug 2013

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Cornelius Segun Ojo writes about Wole Soyinka’s penchant for the use of abusive words on people he dislikes without moral restraint

‘The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know' (Napoleon Bonaparte)

In 2006, I authored a piece titled: Gani Fawehinmi: A Reappraisal (see http://dawodu.com/ojo1.htm). I warned the chief that he risked his hard earned integrity over his emotional support for Nuhu Ribadu's nonsensical anti-corruption war. Though I feared some cosmetic supporters of the chief might resort to the now prevalent 'eebu tins' (verbal abuse), but I went ahead believing that as a Gani’s disciple, I was qualified to say something. As we all can see, I was vindicated, as the 'smart alec' Ribadu joined the train he hitherto condemned.

Currently, I find myself in the same situation, joining issues with Professor Wole Soyinka, WS for short. He was one of those credible people I dangerously followed during the military era and whose leadership at the time strengthened the resolve of hundreds of Nigerian youths who believed him to confront state agents, even in the face of death. Unlike in Fawehinmi's case, I surely expect ‘eebu tins' this time, because a section of our society would see WS as the proverbial king who does no wrong, even when the king tramples on the society.

Before now, I had wanted to comment on WS's disparaging remarks on fellow humans, the recent being the interview granted the abrasive online medium - Sahara Reporters on Achebe's death. I was appalled to read WS dismiss those he considered lesser in knowledge with unkind words. Lashing out at those who felt Achebe was a ‘father of African Literature', he described them as ‘silly' and being of ‘parlous knowledge'. Dismissing Adewale Maja-Pearce's work in particular, WS branded him an ‘inept hustler' and a ‘sterile literary aspirant.’

WS can only find time to read Nigerian literature on ‘Lagos Traffic' and most times tempted to ‘toss some out of his car window'. I concluded that WS being a giant could go away with his angry diatribe - that is what it means to be a giant - look down on others. But again, I felt that while younger writers may never measure up to WS's standards, great teachers I believe, don't throw away the works of others but encourage them through constructive criticism. I wonder how many students will not drop out of WS's hell of a class, where students have to shift through the bin to collect their works instead of a constructive feedback.

Barely forgetting that episode, another issue, more embarrassing to WS compelled me to pick up my pen. It was at a press briefing in Lagos recently where WS took the First Lady to the cleaners on the altar of Nigeria's ‘roforofo' (muddy) politics. Among other unscrupulous tirades, WS described Mrs. Patience Jonathan as a ‘mere domestic appendage of power'. I was horrified that such a retrogressive remark came from WS at a time efforts are being made globally to perish the thought that a woman is worth not more than a domestic assistant. Though I started writing to express my dismay, I had to abandon the journey, fearing the ‘eebu tins'. However, the courage to return to the issue arose when again, WS called the First Lady ‘Madam Shepopotamus'.

Thus, with the latest dirty lexicon, I concluded that WS breached public etiquette (The Yoruba culture frowns seriously at abusing somebody with his/her attribute/s - eebu ara). I reckoned that even if the 'golden boy' Amaechi is WS's son, the fact that he is born of a woman and that that woman must surely resemble Mrs. Jonathan, was enough for WS to show passion. Ag[b]ain, the fact that Mrs. Jonathan is a mother to some children meant she shouldn't have been so debased and humiliated for political reasons. More importantly, that she is the wife of the president was compelling enough for WS to respect the society she and the president represent.[/b]

Culturally, it is indisputable that our society does not condone assault of any kind on womanhood. When a family brawls and the elders wade in, the man always take the bashings for being so 'poor and disgraceful' to engage the wife in a public 'show of shame'. As a school boy, I also can vividly recall that the greatest offence you can commit in school was to beat up a girl, to which punishment of a hard labour sufficed. Beyond Nigeria, almost everywhere, no society condones the type of attack WS gleefully visited on the First Lady. It's all so strange. It's not because womanhood is faultless, but it is because the woman carries such enormous responsibilities - immeasurable at that, for the society that her failings are treated with caution and decorum whenever correction is inevitable.

In 2011, the British Prime Minister David Cameron was criticised for telling a female parliamentarian to 'calm down dear' during a debate in parliament. His sexist remark, commentators say, showed disdain with which women are treated. He quickly apologised (http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2011/10/02/calm-down-dear-cameron-apologises-to-women). Few weeks back, London Mayor Boris Johnson also came under public fury. The visiting Malaysian President spoke of his admiration for Malaysian women who he claimed accounted for 68 per cent of university enrollment. He was interrupted by the Mayor who derogatorily said the 'women go to university to find husbands'. His comments drew a sharp public condemnation (http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jul/08/boris-johnson-women-university-husband).

Yet, President Barack Obama was criticised for shielding from the American public, a report showing female soldiers are sexually abused by senior instructors. The public outcry has led to new proposals by the Congress granting more protection to servicewomen and punishing offenders. From the above arise two issues: on the one hand, womanhood is an object of abuse at every corner of the globe owing to the same WS's theory which sees the woman as deserving no respect. On the other hand, it is instructive to note that societies around the world do not condone the abuse culture and rail against it.

Sadly in Nigeria, there appears to be a tendency to normalise this culture. I reckon this same WS’s theory might have spurred Senator Yerima that, since the woman amounts to nothing than a ‘domestic appendage', why not cut the girl child short and enslave her early in life? Like a conspiracy, the Senate rubber stamped the appalling fantasy of grand-dads sexually assaulting their grand-daughters, then criminally calling them wives. Surely, the world would be mocking us. No thanks to WS.

First ladyship is a political invention that has become a powerful political shareholding the world over. Under Ronald Regan, his wife, Nancy was so powerful that there was a ‘tug of war' between her and the White House advisers (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/3/nancy-reagan-was-a-true-political-partner/?page=all). Hillary Clinton's influence was never in doubt, and there have been more stories about Cherie Blair's ‘quirky life'. In fact, the influence wielded by Samantha Cameron, the wife of current UK prime Minister was a subject of a report in the London Evening Standard of Tuesday 16 July, '13, where she was reported to be the brains behind the gay marriage issue that split the Conservatives, as well as pushing for the military intervention in Syria (http://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/melanie-mcdonagh-im-not-fooled-by-the-power-of-samantha-cameron). In our clime, some of us were not too young to witness how powerful the Maryam Babangidas, the Maryam Abachas, the Stella Obasanjos were. I vividly can recall many horrendous convoys of Stella Obasanjo in Lagos. Ordinarily, it is politically unwise for a governor to tango with the wife of the president, more so when the woman is an indigene of your state. It is most illogical. A politically savvy governor would see that as an asset to him and his government rather that war-war with her.

On political ambition, while Governor Amaechi has the right to aspire, his aspiration when in conflict with his party becomes politically inchoate. But when you go further to undermine your party with a view to helping the opposition, it's like donating your head to smash a coconut, you surely won't partake in the eating. Aftermath of the successes recorded at the 2012 Olympics, the UK press was promoting the London Mayor Boris Johnson as a prime ministerial candidate. Initially, he was dancing to the lyrics but along the line, he probably saw the yellow card and backtracked. He addressed the Conservative Conference where he not only buried his ambition, but praised the prime minister and pledged loyalty . I am sure Governor Amaechi understands better.

Finally, WS will do better by concentrating on the penkelemesi (peculiar messes - to use late Adelabu Adegoke’s phrase) in his backyard than travel to Rivers. That will be in breach of the principle of proximity. Why isn't WS complaining about the Lagos excesses: the Tinubu's birthday which paralysed a section of Lagos and where elected governors were mounting the podium one after another to pay homage; the alleged billions of tax payers being siphoned under the guise of consultancy; the imposition of his daughter as the Iyaloja-General, the winner takes all and the repression of the opposition in elections so far in Lagos; the unconstitutional and dehumanising deportations of fellow Nigerians within their own country and the incessant bloodshed in Ekiti to mention just a few, all make WS's foray into Rivers look like covering one's own anomalies. In conclusion, and with all sense of responsibility, I think WS should recede from frontline politics.




http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/wole-soyinkas-domestic-appendage-revisited/155673/

Mad Old Professor

Wole Soyinka matter again?
I'm here thinking about my landlord daughter wey I just give belle and deportation or "family reunion" that follows, you're here talking about bachelor @ 79.
Mtcheewww

here we go again...

expecting them to come and attack in their usual ways

That white haired old professor should start by apologising to his mother ,his Wife and his daughters because refering to our 1st lady as a mere domestic appendage is an insult to all women in general.So he should start with those closest to him.Nobel prize in literature does not translate to nobel Prize in other human endeavours

MOP again. SMH

Soyinka is a disappointment just like all the pro amaechi supporters. Lest we forget that amaechi never contested the elections that made him a governor for his first term. A highly controversial supreme court ruling declared him winner without him being a candidate at the polls. Has soyinka and falana forgotten this historically embarrassing ruling. The supreme court ruling summed up to say since PDP won the election but amaechi actually won the initial primaries over omeha then amaechi should be sworn in. The ruling made party affiliations in a state like rivers greater than individual candidacy
For the likes of the self acclaimed democracy defenders to ignore this vital piece of history shows how shallow or bias they are towards the river's crisis.
Amaechi by supposedly following a selfish ambition forgot the power structure that put him in place as governor and also the massive support the peoples of rivers and the southsouth have for the PDP

PointB: WOLE SOYINKA'S 'DOMESTIC APPENDAGE' REVISITED

07 Aug 2013

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pledged loyalty . I am sure Governor Amaechi understands better.

Finally, WS will do better by concentrating on the penkelemesi (peculiar messes - to use late Adelabu Adegoke’s phrase) in his backyard than travel to Rivers. That will be in breach of the principle of proximity. Why isn't WS complaining about the Lagos excesses: the Tinubu's birthday which paralysed a section of Lagos and where elected governors were mounting the podium one after another to pay homage; the alleged billions of tax payers being siphoned under the guise of consultancy; the imposition of his daughter as the Iyaloja-General, the winner takes all and the repression of the opposition in elections so far in Lagos; the unconstitutional and dehumanising deportations of fellow Nigerians within their own country and the incessant bloodshed in Ekiti to mention just a few, all make WS's foray into Rivers look like covering one's own anomalies. In conclusion, and with all sense of responsibility, I think WS should recede from frontline politics.




http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/wole-soyinkas-domestic-appendage-revisited/155673/

You are the same dude that goes to complain to the Mods in the complaints page about threads that are bigoted but you start a thread that you know will lead to a tribal confrontation.

Anyway let me add my 2cent.

There is nothing you and your fellow cohorts and conspirators will do or say that will demean the success and achievement of Professor Wole Soyinka. You can huff and puff as much as you want but he has made history that your grandchildren will read about if/when they go to school.


God bless Wole Soyinka with Long Life and Good health, may he never be crippled or hurt.

Wole Soyinka shall do more. Kindly show us where he was wrong.

Italiano1:


You are the same dude that goes to complain to the Mods in the complaints page about threads that are bigoted but you start a thread that you know will lead to a tribal confrontation.

Anyway let me add my 2cent.

There is nothing you and your fellow cohorts and conspirators will do or say that will demean the success and achievement of Professor Wole Soyinka. You can huff and puff as much as you want but he has made history that your grandchildren will read about if/when they go to school.


God bless Wole Soyinka with Long Life and Good health, may he never be crippled or hurt.

I don't see anything bigoted about this thread.

It was an opinion of one man on another man. No tribe or any ethnic group was mentioned in thread (none in bad light if at all). I don't know why some of you folks cannot separate a man from his ethnic group. Grow up son! The writer is from SW if that makes any difference.

Why isn't WS complaining about the Lagos excesses: the Tinubu's birthday which paralysed a section of Lagos and where elected governors were mounting the podium one after another to pay homage; the alleged billions of tax payers being siphoned under the guise of consultancy; the imposition of his daughter as the Iyaloja-General, the winner takes all and the repression of the opposition in elections so far in Lagos; the unconstitutional and dehumanising deportations of fellow Nigerians within their own country and the incessant bloodshed in Ekiti to mention just a few, all make WS's foray into Rivers look like covering one's own anomalies. In conclusion, and with all sense of responsibility, I think WS should recede from frontline politics.

I think the generally summarizes the crux of the matter - from the writer's perspective. I agree with him.

Ferdinandu: Nobel prize in literature does not translate to nobel Prize in other human endeavours

Well giving him a nobel prize in literature is actually an insult to literature scholars. Wole Soyinka has actually proved that he does not deserve to be a nobel prize winner.

Btw before some of you will attack me dnt forget am a lady and you shouldn't tread the path of Wole Soyinka who has no regard for womanhood...

nne3870:
Well giving him a nobel prize in literature is actually an insult to literature scholars. Wole Soyinka has actually proved that he does not deserve to be a nobel prize winner.

Btw before some of you will attack me dnt forget am a lady and you shouldn't tread the path of Wole Soyinka who has no regard for womanhood...

So because you are a woman, you should not be criticized? It is ok for you to come here and cast aspersions on WS's person and not expect same? You must be a joker.

If you think his Nobel Prize award was an insult to the Ibos, then please go and write a letter to the Nobel Committee, I am sure they will take you seriously


May God bless Wole Soyinka and grant him good health and long life. May he never be crippled...

Wole Soyinka never insulted Patience Jonathan. If you are used to his writing, you will realize he is more into satire. And in satire, symbolism and personification are used a lot.

Italiano1:

So because you are a woman, you should not be criticized? It is ok for you to come here and cast aspersions on WS's person and not expect same? You must be a joker.

If you think his Nobel Prize award was an insult to the Ibos, then please go and write a letter to the Nobel Committee, I am sure they will take you seriously


May God bless Wole Soyinka and grant him good health and long life. May he never be crippled...

May he live long. If we are to go by what this writer said: women should not be insulted (whatever he understands by that word) then it means he sees Nigeria as a mumudo.m with its mumu.s, just like himself, increasing in their mumuri.ty.

Italiano1:

So because you are a woman, you should not be criticized? It is ok for you to come here and cast aspersions on WS's person and not expect same? You must be a joker.

If you think his Nobel Prize award was an insult to the Ibos, then please go and write a letter to the Nobel Committee, I am sure they will take you seriously


May God bless Wole Soyinka and grant him good health and long life. May he never be crippled...

May he live long. If we are to go by what this writer said: women should not be insulted (whatever he understands by that word) then it means he sees Nigeria as a mumudo.m with its mumu.s, just like himself, increasing in their mumuri.ty.
He should tell us whether or not Petience Jonathan, whom he says WS should have respected, holds a constitutional office that makes her different or higher than even the destitutes that were "deported."

nne3870:
Well giving him a nobel prize in literature is actually an insult to literature scholars. Wole Soyinka has actually proved that he does not deserve to be a nobel prize winner.

Btw before some of you will attack me dnt forget am a lady and you shouldn't tread the path of Wole Soyinka who has no regard for womanhood...

just say giving WS a Nobel Laurel is an insult & disgrace to Achebe, NOT OTHERS.

...@ bolded,
why cant u just say something more correct.
You even deserve more spanking than PEJ , 'cos thats how she also speaks wrong english BEFORE exhibiting her shame in public.

Long Live WOLE SOYINKA!!!!

...May he never be a "father of literature" without Nobel Laurel!! AMEN.

St_Black: Long Live WOLE SOYINKA!!!!

...May he never be a "father of literature" without Nobel Laurel!! AMEN.

You mean like the berret wearing scourt boy?

Why are we recycling this issue....if the mods find it convenient to allow the thread to stay ...they should be gracious enough to allow people vent their opinion...

Nairaland still remain the best forum to air you views without the need to be politically correct like we are witnessing on Facebook and elsewhere.

So mods...it's either you lock this thread and throw it away in the bin or you stop hiding people's comments.