Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, declared on Thursday that Nigeria should consider breaking up if it resolves the nation’s persistent challenges.
Daily Trust reported that Soyinka made this assertion during the PUNCH Newspapers’ 50th-anniversary lecture held in Lagos.
In his lecture titled ‘Recovering the Narrative’, Soyinka advocated for decentralization in Nigeria, arguing that it would enhance citizen participation and governance effectiveness.
The elder statesman emphasized that decentralization would bring governance closer to the people and urged leaders to stop deceiving Nigerians.
“If that is going to restore dignity to citizens. If that is going to guarantee three square meals a day then so be it. One of my favourite expressions with people is ‘Let nations die, that humanity may live.’”
He critiqued Nigerian politicians for conveniently ignoring the need for restructuring once in power.
“It’s about time, I think leaders stopped taking this nation for a ride, you know, we must decentralise. Security, you know, has become a burden to bear. From all corners of the nation, that is the crime.”
Founded in March 1973, PUNCH, Nigeria’s foremost newspaper, celebrated its 50th anniversary last year but deferred the anniversary celebration to this year due to an election month and year coinciding with the original anniversary month.
The 50th anniversary coincides with the 40th anniversary of the passing of PUNCH’s founding Chairman, the late Chief James Olubunmi Aboderin, who died on February 28, 1984, at the age of 50.
