Soyinka Tea Break in Naija

Tea Break In Naija 10-06-28 13:11
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Tea Break In Naija
Written by Wole Soyinka

Wednesday, 23 June 2010 17:33
While this intervention has been triggered off by an ‘op-ed’ in your online
journal by one Remi Oyeyemi, I have to let you know that I have taken the
trouble to respond more out of a concern for the editorial responsibilities of
your journal than anything else. This is not the first such abuse of
SAHARAREPORTERS and, curiously enough, a former occasion had to do with
the same subject I.B.Babangida. I shall begin by acknowledging the extreme
generosity of your contributor in allowing me one full week of grace to respond
to an interview I had never seen, nor knew anything about. In his article, the
sanctimonious Oyeyemi has again graciously imposed a deadline, albeit
Wole Soyinka unspecified. I shudder to think what would have happened if a concerned
reader had not sent me a link, wondering what this was all about. Virtual
decapitation?
Now, to some pertinent issues: I remain in ignorance also of how the Nigerian media reported the Edo incident.
Beyond my brief comment on return to Ikeja airport, I declined to give any interviews on the incident. I left the
airport before the AC delegation. By agreement en route from Benin, they would do the talking. My only interest www.Pingo.com
was to return to my US engagements without further loss of valuable time.
There is a deplorable tone of pomposity, of dictatorial conceit in Oyeyemi’s article that sets one’s teeth on edge. SEARCH
Here is an article premised on a profusion of ‘ifs’, ‘maybes’, ‘mightbes’, ‘it is possible that’, ‘alleged’, ‘reportedly’, yet
filled with conclusive judgmental expressions and smug censoriousness. Setting up oneself as a judge of political
moralities requires a more rigorous approach to the marshaling, and presentation of suppositions and facts. You do
not impute a ‘cover-up’ on such feeble, convenient, purely speculative terms – and over such trivia!
A surprise encounter, totally unexpected that took place in the presence of, and involving at least thirty others in
the reception room of a state governor is not, by any stretch of imagination, an encounter to be tendentiously
described as taking place ‘behind closed doors’. This was in the ‘public domain’, and it is presumptuous for
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anyone to require that I give an account, as a public duty, to what was clear to everyone in that formal and open
http://saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6342-tea-break-in-naija.html Page 1 sur 37

space as a fortuitous encounter, and one with all conversation audible to all, including a swarm of reporters and
Search...that accompaniedVideos
photographers Babangida into that lounge. Share Become a Fan ^ back to top
However, Ibrahim Babangida, in the account offered by Oyeyemi, was absolutely correct in one aspect. I have no
personal problem with him or with any other individual to whom I openly identify as a political adversary.
Babangida does however have a huge problem of political deficit with me, and with the nation, and that is the
albatross that constitutes his problem. I affirm that, if the State House stewards had offered me tea with IBB, I
would have declined, but it would only have been to request something a little stronger, since I am no tea drinker. I
am happy to note that Oyeyemi’s strictures do not extend to having a drink with anyone on the other side of a
profound political divide.
The purists of political contact are welcome to their position, but they should learn to mind their language.
’Behind closed doors’! Is there no longer any respect for truth?
As already stated, I indeed met and exchanged ‘pleasantries’ with Babangida. When I discovered what had brought
him into Oshiomole’s visitors’ lounge – in company of at least some twenty-odd other guests, including Governor
Sylvia of Bayelsa – when I found that he had been invited to the rally, and that David Mark was also invited as Latest Pic
Guest of Honour, I organized my leave-taking as fusslessly and efficiently as I know how, with a fortuitous timing
that enabled me to hitch a ride in the chartered plane that brought AC leaders to Edo. I especially did not want to
embarrass my host, Adam Oshiomole, who – I still feel - had invited me with less than expected candour and error
of judgment. I find Oyeyemi’s article pretentious, pompous and irresponsibly misleading. SAHARA REPORTERS
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could have punctured this soufflé by contacting me and drawing my attention to Babangida’s interview. They know
how to find me. Other media have taken similar action in the past, sometimes only to decide not even to publish
my response when they judged that the issue merited no more than transient curiosity - in journalese, considered
unnewsworthy.
“But he owes the rest of us the TRUTH (my emphasis) that this was what transpired, and that he changed his
mind after having tea with him (IBB) that he did not want to be seen in public with him. Misleading (?) the public
that he turned back from Benin airport when this was not what happened…” writes Mr. Remi Oyeyemi.
Whose truth is this? Obviously Oyeyemi’s, not that of anyone else who was present in Oshiomole’s visitors’ lounge,
the airport, the Ikeja arrival lounge, or listened to my brief statement with the media at Ikeja. Since when did the
Oyeyemi of the world appropriate the right to interpret events at which they were not present, and assign a ‘truth’
to the state of mind of the characters involved. What are the credentials of Oyeyemi as a mind-reader? Has he
spoken to Oshiomole? To his staff who organized the event? To the team which whisked me to the airport? To
Akande, Tinubu, Fayemi etc etc to whom I spoke while organising my exit from Oshiomole’s guest house? Is any of
that melodrama of any real interest to busy and serious-minded people? Who is this faceless individual to
compose his own spurious scenario in his feverish mind and attempt to foist it on your readership?
Cheap Nigeria
Tea is beginning to assume mythological proportions in Nigerian affairs - sadly and tragically, from Tam David- Find Cheapest A
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West to Moshood Abiola. Perhaps this is responsible for the fictive ‘tea-party’ of Oyeyemi’s imagination. If the fact
Save.
that my arrival in Ikeja in an aircraft with AC leaders confused the press awaiting the retreat, that element, that VirginNigeria.TripMa
‘weighty atom’ of tea leaves – even if it were real - is so disproportionate to the main issue, which is that we all
declined to participate in that rally, that I cannot find the energy to pillory the media on its account. What Nigerian Onlin
remains is not even a storm, but mere froth in a phantom teacup. Chat, Email & V
1000s of Africa
www.AfricanLove.co
Did Babangida really say we had tea together? I am learning of this weird claim for the first time. So what should I
do? Sue him for defamation? Oyeyemi owes it to his readers to unravel the earth-shaking details of this tea Top Nigeria Ne
session. Was it with milk? Cream? Sugar? Biscuits on the side? After all, Oshiomole’s visitors’ lounge was Get Breaking N
constantly filled, from the beginning to the end. Someone must have noticed some sinister details. The stewards FT.com - View
must remember whom they served tea, and in whose company. Oyeyemi should do his homework. Obviously these FT.com
are weighty matters on which the future of the nation depends.
Please, spare yourself and us the likes of those who throw around words like ‘truth’ and ‘integrity’ until they have
learnt to respect their adjunct – ‘responsibility’.

Wole Soyinka
Comments (157)
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ebenodaisy said:
...
Prof Wole,
With due respect for your esteemed personality, i would just simply like to remind you as the statement went "beware
of the Isles of Men". It sounds like a well-orchestrated set-up to gain and promote hidden agenda, to have allowed
this to happen, or even your goodself be entagled in this tea palaver, it is the height of any evil imagination, that we
have ever seen. The forces of radicalism in Nigeria, amongst whom you are considered a villain will always stand by
the transcendent truth, we shall not settle for less. IBB and his cohorts are simply buying time and rhetorical in all
aspects towards 2011 election, but we know it is more of illusion than a dream.
June 25, 2010
Gubra2 said:
...
@Jaguda: A good Professor must be able to communicate in plain English .

Can someone translate to me in Yoruba as I can really get the message from
the esteemed professor.
Wole Soyinka only knows how to conjoin letters and words. He does not even know that two sentences joined
together in “If, then” pattern can be re-written with “and”. This is because the man is not a logician. To argue with
such a man is a waste of your time because arguments are meaningless to him.
Supposing you say to him:
1) “If Ribadu is not corrupt, then Olusegun Obasanjo, Lamidi Adedibu, and Andy Uba are not corrupt”.
He would not understand you because he thinks that
2) “Ribadu is corrupt” and “Olusegun Obasanjo, Lamidi Adedibu, and Andy Uba are corrupt” should never be tossed
around or be deduced from 1) by educated people.
You see, he thinks in simple terms, but he uses convoluted words to confuse his ignorant worshipers.
June 25, 2010
Mgamgba brothers said:
...

Dear Prof. Soyinka is a cultist this man is among those men that thinks he can use us.He told tea with IBB he should
not lie.
June 25, 2010
profet said:
...
SR publishes all things for anyone to be aware: SR is like the thermometer we use to check our temperature and to
know who is who. SR is politicians thermometer, it is like a mirror or a police for you to to see yourself: akuyili was
rebranding and needs transparancy, but never understood the magnanimousity of SR as a transparency medium. SR
shows you when you are enjoying theft money and when you are crying with consquencies: these two facts of life need
public critics as you declare yourself as a public officer: though it is not working in nations in 9ja's inbuilt corruption.
June 25, 2010
Mr Merry Chukwu said:
...
Sir, Prof Wole, I thank God for your healthy presence to respond to Oyeyemi's write-up. The ear that hear is very
inside, if he likes he can react positively or ignorantly.
Sir, majority of us young Nigerians are disturbed with the word attitudinal change as envisaged by Akumyili, which is
yet to touch life. The nigerian army court marshed the soldiers that complained that thier (UN) operatioanl allwances
had been eaten by some of the NA officers. They we later jailed. The Army chief Danbazau has even refused to pay his
soldiers thier UN operational allwances, Annual transport allwance, and funiture allwances. Curently, they have even
eaten almost 5.7billon the soldiers saved to get a house on retirement ie PHD Housing Scheme. Please sir Drag the
Army authority to court or EFCC to pay our fathers and brothers thier entitlement because it looks that Danbazau is
bigger than President Jonathan.
Mr Mery Chukwu
Apapa - Lagos Nigeria
June 25, 2010
profet said:
...
you see just like boko haram they never love good things such as talented man wole soyinka:though i see jega with his
connection, but the nations in nigeria are so greedy that they do not love book worm like wole soyinka because they
are afraid he might change the system of corruption by his vast researched ethics. man soyinka am an igbo man but i
respect you! do not let them take you in like one overseer of Poverty bank man, who loved wearing shorts, then that
they co-opted,used him and dumped his name in the grave.wole just hit your words as part of your history man:the
messiah will come, its not jonathan...it will come just like how Jesus came without Phoroah knowing with his quest of
killing all new born sons during his era: then we will hear"Pharoah let my people go, OR" there will be miracles to
show for it.
June 25, 2010
Chief CC Okeke (Moscow, RF) said:
...
Prof. Soyinka promised to start the mock trial of OBJ some 18 months now since EFCC were not ready to conduct the
real trial. What is delaying this much expected "mock" trial of Nigeria's worst leader and most corrupt individual alive

??? Prof, has OBJ begged you? Pls start the trial because, many of us are ready to come forwrd and make our
depositions with evidence!
June 25, 2010
okwui agada said:
...
The good thing about the internet is that you do not know if the poster is a dog!
June 25, 2010
Jaguda said:
...
A good Professor must be able to communicate in plain English . Can someone translate to me in Yoruba as I can
really get the message from the esteemed professor. Pls help
June 25, 2010
OF said:
...
@ Osayande.
You are nothing but a cow as stated by comments above.
Leave us alone in Nigeria and mind you...ensure you translate and change your stupid name to the whichever dialet
they use wherever you motherf*cker is...
Nigeria will move 4ward either you or assholes like you want it or not.
June 25, 2010
Ramses Osiris said:
...
@ Osayande:
Since a Nobel Prize laureate can not impress you, since Nigeria is for you an "Ignoramus Republic", I suppose you are
THE intellectual giant, the Messiah, the Anointed One we have all been waiting for (never mind your street gutter
language!). Please, IMPRESS US WITH YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS!!! If you have to dwarf Soyinka and the rest of us,
then, do it mercilessly, so we can all prostrate before you! Don´t miss this golden opportunity to dazzle us with your
colossal und unrivaled superiority! We are waiting!!! But please, don´t make us wait for ever!!! Do it now or else shut
up!!
June 25, 2010
Busuyi O said:
...
Osayande, you are idiot if you dont know that you are the moron who insult WS. That didnt do you right, you descend
to insult the whole nation, why wont you when you have manged to get a change of nationality somewhere else. The
worst of it would be that (if you are out of Nigeria) you are where you are today because Nigeria sponsored your
stinky arse. Many of you that Nigeria sent out up till the early 80's where are you today? What have you done in
return for the nation? You know what? You are nonentity and a piece of fart, so you can quickly take your pride and
go to hell. When Wole Soyinka went to jail for the nation where da 4k were you?

June 25, 2010
Hem Bulkwang said:
...
Why should it worry us whether Wole Soyinka drank tea with IBB or not? Come to think of it, what is so special about
Wole Soyinka. This is an individual that introduced dangerous cultism into Nigerian higher institutions and has now
crept into our secondary schools. The product of his intellect is now armed robbery, kidnapping, political gangsterism
etc. Wole Soyinka cannot be compared with Chinua Achebe (the real son of Africa). Never!!!
June 25, 2010
oladeji esan said:
...
thank God for the truth.i was initially scared about the story.If it had been true then we are all in trouble.Prof is
considered to be a man of integrity and decorum.
June 25, 2010
MB said:
...
"Following the occupation of the Midwest, Soyinka met Obasanjo face-to-face to relay the goals of the Biafrans to the
man in control of the West. Unfortunately !basanj"'s decision to side with the Nigerian federation had already been
made. The invasion of the Midwest eventually sparked counter-attacks into the Midwest by federal government forces,
signaling the commencement of civil war. !basanj" disclosed his meeting with Soyinka to his superiors, who declared
the writer a traitor and convened search parties to obtain Soyinka for arrest, which they eventually did. Soyinka was
then incarcerated until the end of the unfolding civil war." culled from wikipedia..ummm..I doubt he's great friends
with Obasanjo to some of d comments. I see a man who took one for d nation...how many of us ve been incarcerated 4
Naija yet?
June 25, 2010
Gam said:
...
How I wish our so called leaders learn from the humility of the Prof. It takes humility indeed to stoop to clarify such
personal issues of drinking tea in public with people perceived to be enemy of the state (evil genius). The fact that we
disagree in political spheres does not mean we have to hate one another. SR should show high degree of
professionalism in balance reporting. It could have done more good if this clarification was interjected by SR with the
article from Oyeyemi to make a more discerning reportage. This issue was raised in the report concerning the braw in
the House of Rep. where SR totally excluded the grace allegation of frauds running to billions of naira. The reportage
should be fair to all concerned.
June 25, 2010
osayande* said:
...
To the morons who would rather engage in insults and name calling, as it is much easier for them than to apply their
faculties; I don’t suppose you expect me to descend to your intellectual ground zero, do you ?

In the meantime, I would suggest you people seek to rename that your God forsaken country to something more
befitting such as: The Ignoramus Republic of Nigeria.
June 25, 2010
abel ade said:
...
Personally I do not like IBB and I think Oshiomhole is sly but the governor has a right to invite whomsoever he wants
and Soyinka can as well leave without feeling bitter. As for Soyinka a man who rides with Tinubu, a crook, thief and
pretender to progressive causes does not really convince me on issues of integrity. Soyinka would make a case for
Ribadu, a man who could not explain how he raised the money to buy houses in Abuja and Dubai as EFCC chairman
and who could not face the courts to defend himself! No wonder Obj has no regard for such characters ... e don see
dem finish.
June 25, 2010
Rommel said:
...
Thanks Prof for your concise & eloquent response. Those who think this response isn't clear enough obviously have
limited vocabulary in English Language which of course isn't our mother tongue in Nigeria anyway. All you need to do
is to read more books to improve your English & not expect others to regress to your level.
June 25, 2010
Ramses Osiris said:
...
The strategy of the obnoxious evil genius and his retarded lemmings is clear:
get Soyinka´s support or else destroy him!! Why would one make so much noise about such a triviality like a "tea-
party behind closed doors" that never happened? And so what, if it did happen?
Millions of Nigerians are suffering daily, with no access to the most basic amenities of life. Thousands are starving to
death, no health care, our schools in shambles, corruption everywhere, perverted justice, no security......., and the
architect of these calamities, who should actually be publicly executed for his atrocities against the Nigerian people,
still has the nerve to spit at us, with the assistance of his morally depraved mercenaries! That´s rubbing salt into our
injuries! Give the evil genius and his worshippers their last cup of tea!
June 25, 2010
Lanre said:
...
Who no know go know. Di tin wey dis Oloshi Oloriburuku Babangida go cause for Nigeria ehn. Ok O. Make we dey
wash.
June 25, 2010
Bobby said:
...
Alhaji ICHEKU,,,,,, any Ibo man you see bearing Alhaji, fear him! Could u hear his judgement? This Prof. said he
doesn't even take tea at all.... So what else do u want? And for the rest of you that said the Prof blew too much
VOCABS why dont u just look for a dico? Simple fact here..... we do not reconise him but the UN did and gave him a

VOCABS why dont u just look for a dico? Simple fact here..... we do not reconise him but the UN did and gave him a
good job. PROF ENJOY jare and thanks for your struggle & love to develop this great nation of ours!!!
June 25, 2010
sayit said:
...
When IBB ruled Nigeria, Soyinka worked for him. Didn't he know he was a dictator then? He created a corrupt FRSC
and put Agunloye to replace him (Pirate connection). He never criticised Agunloye despite the fact that there are
obvious evidence that he corruptly enriched himself. He goes around praising Fasola and Ribadu as if they are saints.
Mr. Naughty Prof., you can deceive many but not all.
June 25, 2010
OC said:
...
...Everyone is accountable for his/her associations too. If we associate with thieves and discredited persons, we are
accountable for this. Even President Obama was held accountable for his association with his then Pastor and an
alleged 'Terrorist' group in the 70s. He responded to his critiques, not by arrogance, but defended himself. I believe
my piece is to those who have arrogated arrogance to themselves and feel WS should not have responded. He deserved
to respond and we all deserved to know the truth. He has cleared the air and the issue should now be put to bed. WS
is held in high esteem by nearly all Nigerians, he should, therefore, mind who he hangs out or hitches a ride with.
Tinubu is discredited, IBB too, and now Oshiomole. WS should not hang out, or drink tea (or coffee or cogniac ) or
hitch a ride with them, ps.
June 25, 2010
OC said:
...
Hero worshipping is always the bane of Nigerians and actually our greatest pitfall, which has crippled our dear
country and brought it to its knees. The almighty Wole Shoyinka is a mere mortal and is accountable. President
Clinton (of MOnica's fame), PM Tony Blair were all held accountable for their time in office, and they defended
themselves when they were called to do so. I commend Prof WS for recognising this responsibility and responding to
clarify issues, which he could have simply summed up by saying that the Newspapers account (perhaps, misled by the
Tinubu & his AC group) was inaccurate and the IBB version was correct. He allowed the Newspaper/AC version to
fester for too long and leading us to believe that was the truth. A timely clarification was required. WS should also be
mindful of who he hobnobs with. I hope he has learnt a lesson himself not to trust his AC bedfellows to speak for him
in future. Let us stop this hero worshipping. Everyone is accountable...
June 25, 2010
paquito bites said:
...
i do not think that soyinka's rejoiner is in order,certainly not in the way he wrote it.surely silence would have been
more deserving and if a rejoiner had to be written,done with more restraint and humility.
the "sledgehammer to crack a nut" both literally and metaphorically was not called for.
i am a huge fan of prof soyinka but i also recognise his flaws. we all have flaws..his is really the arrogance that makes
him question the every fact that articles should be written about him without his approval.
i disagree with the correspondent that apologised for the youth.there are many soyinkas of the future in the youth and
prof will attest to this.the continum of intellectual chanllenges is what will save us and as much as some of us admire
soyinka ,worshipping him is another story.and he ,i'm sure, would not cherish that one little bit,tea or the hard stuff

notwithstanding.
June 24, 2010
AdeboyeJJC said:
...
Love for Wole Soyinka is love for Ribadu, Olusegun Obasanjo, Lamidi Adedibu, Andy Uba, Akala, Gbenga Daniel, Oni
in Ekiti, the thug governing Osun. These are his friends and accomplices in thuggery and murders.
Mr Soyinka, you must believe you can fool some people with your useless grammar. Whatever happened to the
death of your best friend, Bola Ige? Have you unearthed the hidden as you claimed in your article after Ribadu was
booted out of the EFCC? Do you really think we are not watching every stealthy step you have taken since 1999? Do
you really believe your crimes are not being documented?
June 24, 2010
Wodale5 said:
...
Wole Soyinka is more corrupt than Olusegun Obasanjo, Adedibu, Andy Uba, IBB, and Satan rolled into one. He only
pretends to be what he is not. Those who believe him are either ignorant or like him. Oyeyemi is among 5% of Yoruba
who see beyond their self-interests
Soyinka lived in and benefited from what a free nation has to offer, but he hates freedom for his Yoruba people in
Ogun States. At least, the thugs in the list above are illiterate criminals. Soyinka is an educated ediot and a pretender–
the worst kind of Yoruba. Do not tell me he was awarded some price in literature. How has that improved the lives of
the suffering masses in his hometown in Abeokuta?
June 24, 2010
paquito bites said:
...
what is the fuss about.all the actors in this "storm in a tea cup" should have their credibility in tact.to my hero wole
soyinka,who should know better than take issue with a questioning journalist.to the writer who was asking a
question,no need to bite his head off.
to to edo governor who held the gathering and his intentions.finally to the genius that is ibb that understands
correctly that nigerians have simply been reduced to "what is your price",irrespective of the amount of grammar one
espouces.
June 24, 2010
Damisa said:
...
Sir, I apologize on his behalf even though i do not know him (Osayande). Consider him a minor.
June 24, 2010
TTheoda said:
...
Yoruba people come here to eulogize a man who is deeply into corruption and ruination of Nigeria.

Wole Soyinka and Obasanjo are equivalent and they worked together from 1999 to 2007. Soyinka is a
deadly snake. If you dispute these, then explain to use why Soyinka loves Nuhu Ribadu and follows
Ribadu around like a house pet. If Ribadu is not corrupt and deep into the problems holding Nigeria
from developing, then Andy Uba, Lamidi Adedibu, Olusegun Obasanjo, Gbenga Daniel, Aloa Akala,
Bayo Ojo, Patric Etteh, etc, etc, were all free of corruption during the 8 years of Obasanjo’s anarchy in
Nigeria.
Remi Oyeyemi: Remain focused and do not worry about idiots and agents of Obasanjo; they will all get
their day in court/grave sooner than they think.
June 24, 2010
Busuyi O said:
...
Osayande is not just a cow, he is depressed and lunatic. How dare you question the integrity of Wole Soyinka? The
name no dey fear you, you this failure in all your life endeavor? No wonder you cheap shot at Nobel Laurel winner as
a help of IBB, you are deluded and you should be living with goats and lambs....
June 24, 2010
Abdulmalik Yusuf said:
...
@Osayande, It is clear that you know next to nothing about Nigerian literature, literary contributions or what it takes
to be a Nobel laureate. In your uninformed dead mind you have conjured up a non-existent interlocution by a
discredited self acclaimed deceptive evil genius. WS did not have to struggle with the erudite Achebe for the Nobel
prize neither did your IBB have a hand in it. If IBB did, why did he not nominate himself for the peace prize after the
massive ECOMOG drain pipe.
June 24, 2010
andy ekugo said:
...
3.
His rejoinder paints a picture of a man who is desperately grasping for straws to keep his reputation (or what is left of
it)and his bloated ego afloat after a ship wreck of misadventure. the game is over and like the Americans say, smell
the coffee Prof!
June 24, 2010
andy ekugo said:
...
2.
wole soyinka should know that its high time for him to climb down from the moral iroko tree he perched himself
before. he is just another nigerian-double standards and all. he hobnobs with very corrupt politicians secretly but
openly tears nigeria to shreds. how i miss Gani Fawehinmi now! one of the few UPRIGHT nigerians. wole soyinka
should know that the days of tin gods in nigeria are over. if he is in doubt, he should ask his friend and former boss
IBB! the unanswered question is this. did he spend a few minutes with IBB in Benin whether he drank tea or
something stronger or not? how is it possible for him not to know that he was invited to that tea party with his
network of you-know-what? literary exhibitionism cannot wish away these pertinent questions.

June 24, 2010
andy ekugo said:
...
1.
i almost puked at the man's arrogance. who the hell does he think he is? he once said that he does not read nigerian
newspapers and his rejoinder is dripping with that absurd claim. hear him 'I shudder to think what would have
happened if a concerned reader had not sent me a link, wondering what this was all about. Virtual decapitation?' and
this ' I remain in ignorance also of how the Nigerian media reported the Edo incident' then spice it up with this 'My
only interest was to return to my US engagements without further loss of valuable time' meaning that his visit to
nigeria was a loss of valuable time. the only valuable time for him is that which he spends in USA! i shudder.
June 24, 2010
...
@Osayande, It is clear that you know next to nothing about Nigerian literature, literary contributions or what it takes
to be a Nobel laureate. In your uninformed dead mind you have conjured up a non-existent interlocution by a
discredited self acclaimed deceptive evil genius. WS did not have to struggle with the erudite Achebe for the Nobel
prize neither did your IBB have a hand in it. If he did, why did he not nominate himself for the peace prize after the
massive ECOMOG drain pipe.
June 24, 2010
Charles Ekakabor said:
...
@Osayande, you are a disgrace to the Edo nation, the Southern part of the so called entity called Nigeria and the
Black race. WS has stood up for his convictions and faced death for his beliefs. What have u done for NGR. So IBB
bribed the Nobel committee to give WS the peace prize. You are for all intents and purposes a fool and a disgrace to
the Benin nation. Prof WS, my apologies.
June 24, 2010
Musa Muka said:
...
All are the same: those who gave the tea and the rest claiming not to have drank it!
June 24, 2010
Musa Muka said:
...
Wole has a problem for chewing from both sides of the mouth: to be an activist and same time to side with people in
the corridor of powers under whatever guise Nigerians believe this is going to be contradictory.
June 24, 2010
Alli Pedro said:
...

Thanks to Saharareporters for publishing Prof Wole Soyinka's rebuttal, at least it puts my mind at rest that we still
have flag bearers who would not allow their integrity to be stained by a cup of tea. Actually after reading Prof Wole's
piece I made myself a nice hot cuppa with milk and sugar. it tasted good. Now SR must respond and if an apology is
necessary, it must humbly offer an apology to us its readers and also to our dear Prof. and lets move on with the job of
rescuing our dear motherland from the hands of tyrants and vagabonds. Chikena!
June 24, 2010
Alhaji ICHEKU said:
...
What is all this professorial noise about? Who is surprised anyway that Soyinka is seen enjoying tea with the political
brigands who destroyed our country. Pardon my candor, my Yoruba brothers, but Soyinka has acted true to Yoruba
character: slippery and traitorous. By the way Yoruba is a corruption of the Hausa word yariba - slippery!
June 24, 2010
Win said:
...
We have lost one important theory in all this episode. Could Oshomole be a wolf in a sheep clothe being used by the
evil jenius IBB to silence once and forall our Prof through a keeler poison in a tea cup.I have my suspetion.
June 24, 2010
Kayefi said:
...
I am glad to see this floodgate of comments, a sure testament to the awareness and passion of Nigerians on issues.
Yes, Soyinka is celebrated and overall honorable, but he is human and fallible. The inconsistency between his public
perception as a moral crusader and his actual conduct, which I have also disappointingly noticed, is at the core of
Oyeyemi's article. Those calling for Oyeyemi's head for daring to "pick" on their revered (deified?) icon should
consider that Soyinka palled around with Lucky Igbinedion (he had a permanent suite at the governor's mansion),
who nearly bankrupted Edo state with nary a condemnation from the prof.
June 24, 2010
Dada Ogbegun said:
...
I completely agreed with supernova!
June 24, 2010
Livy-Elcon Emereonye said:
...
It is good to call a spade a spade without chritening a hoe an agricultural implement. The most formidable aspect of
journalism is objectivity. Reportive journalism is all about fact and truth however bitter it may taste and not a hurried
reportage to score cheap political point. Be it as it may, we should try within the limit of our ability to desist from
every form of fabricated reportage.
Prof Soyinka has taken the pain to tell his own side of the story so the so called Oyeyemi should respond telling the

world the source of his write up if he is not just out to tarnish the hard earned respect of Kongi!
June 24, 2010
Supernova said:
...
It will be a futile attempt to better the rebuttal by the great prof himself however, what irks me is the extent IBB will
travel to blunt our memories of the holocaust he visited on Nigeria and the West African sub-region. Tea or no tea
with Mr Soyinka is a figment of a very fertile imagination of a gnome suffering from a complex of the inferiority
type. Okay, Mr Oyeyemi, you've been dissed by Kongi and therefore earned the gold plaque of buffoon of the
week(I can see the wry smile on your crooked face). Take it, frame it and get out of our faces.
June 24, 2010
Sunday Njokede said:
...
The fact that Wale Soyinka could have the temerity to lampoon ex-president Obasnajo while his daughter was OBJ's
appointee showed that Soyinka is not an ordinary Nigerian specie. Things like conflict of interest fall many Nigerian
movers and shakers. Col. Umar was loudly criticising OBJ but when Umar's countryman president Yar'Adua,
appointed Umar's sister to his government, he had no more appetite to criticising Yaradua.
Soyinka is unmatched in his consistencies for fairness and equality.
June 24, 2010
Kayefi said:
...
I am glad to see this floodgate of comments, a sure testament to the awareness and passion of Nigerians on issues.
Yes, Soyinka is celebrated and overall honorable, but he is human and fallible. The inconsistency between his public
perception as a moral crusader and his actual conduct, which I have also disappointingly noticed, is at the core of
Oyeyemi's article. Those calling for Oyeyemi's head for daring to "pick" on their revered (deified?) icon should
consider that Soyinka palled around with Lucky Igbinedion (he had a permanent suite at the governor's mansion),
who nearly bankrupted Edo state with nary a condemnation from the prof.
June 24, 2010
nammor said:
...
Nigerians have decided, they know those who have wrecked monumental havoc on the people and nation and very
soon, they shall be brought to justice. My 2 cents, do have a pleasant day.
June 24, 2010
nammor said:
...
Well said prof....its a tin line between constructive journalism and subjective journalism. Sahararepoters, i believe may
not have exhausted the available medium to investigate this incident but i strongly believe that it was not done in bad
faith ..sir. I do speak for myself and not as a staff, cos i an not one but a reader like many , who follow SR. Hopefully
your rejoinder would put a positive closure it.

Prof, i would not have bought the story anyway , knowing your disposition and person..drink tea with the evil
genius....ahhhh darkness and light cannot stand together simple.... The bitter truth is that your host was deceitful and
lacked the proper moral judgment and disappointing, trying to bring you and the evil one together for whatever
reasons best known to him..SHAME. Some choose to be very careful who we associate and dine with at this critical
time in Nigeria i must emphasize. I hope you do the same sir.
June 24, 2010
Hammed abimbola Disu said:
...
I TRUST PROF.SOYINKA, THAT HE WILL SURELY EXPLAIN TO THE WORLD WHAT ACCUALLY HAPPEND ON
THAT DAY IN EDO STATE ,PROF.WOLE SOYINKA IS NOT A PERSON THAT CRITICISE PEOPLE TO GAIN
CHEAP POPULARIY AND WILL NEVER BE ONE ,AND AGAIN THE PROF ,DOES SEE AN ENEMY IN IBB TO THE
POINT OF NOT SEATING UNDER THE SAME ROOF WITH HIM FOR ANY MATTER, AND OYEYEMI SHOULD
HAVE MADE SOME VERY GOOD RETROSPECTION BEFORE SENDING OUT IS REPORTS.YOU CAN,T JUST PICK
UR PEN AND WRITE ARTICULES WITHOUT CROSS CHECKING THE FACT OF MATTER.
June 24, 2010
Elmango Meat said:
...
I now know what it means when people talk of 'storm in a tea cup'
I have learnt to drink my own tea on my own!
Come to think of it, using my own cup, water, tea bag, milk(fresh, condensed or evaporated) and sugar(white or
brown). I like it sweet!
Lesson for all?
June 24, 2010
truthisanopenwound said:
...
continued:
It is of course easy to be talking sophistries from far away America where facilities are made available to him with
ease; America, where others have fought battles and sacrificed their lives for parasites like him to enjoy freedoms.
What has he contributed PERSONALLY to the fight to unshackle Nigeria apart from writing on the internet? This is
the crux of this matter and cowards like him will seek to cover up their spinelessness by trying to tarnish more
accomplished men in order to try and stand on the same pedestal with them if only for a fleeting second. But we the
people know the difference between the likes of Wole Soyinka and cowardly masturbators like him. Remi Oyeyemi, as
the Bible says, remove the log in your own eye first before you talk of the speck of dust in your brothers eye.
COWARD!!!!.
June 24, 2010
...

continued:
He is obviously a Nigerian in diaspora (USA), in other words an economic refugee and parasite in a foreign land.
From all indications he is much younger than the great Wole Soyinka. Kongi has been fighting battles for the
betterment of Nigeria since a very early age. At over seventy he is still in the trenches fighting valiantly. Who is this
cowardly runaway soldier who has deserted the battlefield in the years of his youth to challenge (over irrelevant
rubbish like a cup of tea!) an old dogged soldier who has been in jail, sentenced to death in absentia, and so many
other things and is STILL standing on the battle field while this hopeless COWARD is hiding in America. Where are
his battle scars?
June 24, 2010
...
continued:
Remi Oyeyemi has a few more articles like this junk on Nigeriaworld for example
http://nigeriaworld.com/column...10206.html where he is arguing in support of Adedibu of all people!! That should
give an insight into how confused, demented and unstable he is. Basically, such a guy will take any side just to appear
'controversial', 'enigmatic' and 'enlightened' even if what he is saying makes no sense and above all else is irrelevant.
June 24, 2010
...
continued:
Where the likes of Remi Oyeyemi should be at the forefront of the battle to free Nigeria, he is AWOL while Wole
Soyinka in his seventies is still fighting. Yet the same shameless Remi who should rather be apologising to Wole has
the gall to be challenging him and quoting several newspapers. If he has put the energy he has to be reading
newspapers on the safety of the internet into the sort of risky efforts that the likes of WS has made, Nigeria would be
far better today. THIS IS THE REAL ISSUE HERE!
June 24, 2010
...
It is sad that Nigerians are unable to get to the salient issues of a matter. It is no wonder as one commentator noted
earlier on this thread that even a moron like IBB noted that Nigerians are mentally lazy. As usual most comments on
this topic show a lack of grasp of the salient issues. The only commentator who has shown a bit of insight is James
Agba who said " WS let me apologise on behalf of the young generation of this nation that at an age where you should
be resting enjoying the fruits of you labor for this nation you are still dragged into this sort of malevolent schemes.Prof
you have played more than your part for this nation. ". Now that is the point.
June 24, 2010
Mieske said:
...
I had stated this on Oyeyemi's article and i'll reaffirm, WHY ON EARTH ARE NIGERIANS QUICK TO JUDGE BY
FEELINGS AND NOT FACTS? So because he is Wole Soyinka he cannot be questioned?

Couldn't read through all comments but couldn't help but notice a few...
@ Emeka Eze and Monday - I have to commend your intellectual view. I sincerely hope more Nigerians will learn to
tackle every situation with facts.
@ Dane Nigeria - "Student of English"? "Sensed sarcasm there"? "Oyeyemi's objectives"? One simple question.. what's
your level of education?
@ Osayande - I loved your choice of word, "Social Responsibility"!!
Wole Soyinka is much respected and thus much is expected of him. One of the criterias for being a good leader is
being HUMBLE. I can't contend your intelligence and years of intellectual experience, however i plead with you to
respect every journalist's opinion and write-up.
June 24, 2010
Jones Onu said:
...
Emeka Eze you sound like a tribalist! Are you sure you will say the same thing if it were to be Achebe that is
concerned? Stop the nonsense and dont tarnish the image of the other responsible Igbos.
June 24, 2010
M'tee said:
...
@zrskm, you said Remi Oyelowo is a journalist. Please, where did he train as a journalist to lie that Soyinka drank tea
with IBB? Which journalism school? Some commentators were far from fair on the issue. Would you take it lightly if
someone told a fat lie on you, especially on Sahara Reporters? Legal actions could teach people common sense.
June 24, 2010
monday said:
...
In this animal Kingdom one is higher than the other. A St. Prof shakes a corruption personified fellow he remains
clean. A Pastor was recently condemned and castigated for shaking a man who extended his hand to him in Church.It
is right for superior being to exchange warm pleasantries with anybody but less human cant. Prof. never deny his
relationship with IBB but explain he has disagrement on political issues.
June 24, 2010
Aloy Chibueze said:
...
I am great fan of prof. Wole Soyinka, but his anger at Oyeyemi is misplaced. I was taken aback when i read he was
even in the same room with IBB after the media went to town about his early departure from an event he was invited
to. The Prof. is exhibiting the same arrogance and pomposity he accused Oyeyemi of. IBB is cursed and any that share
the same room with him even for a minute will definetly catch the virus. The great prof. did not do his home work
very well before coming to Benin. When notable men are invited to such event, its their responsibility to find out who
else will be at the high table. Since the prof. did not do that, he has himself to blame. Many of us who respect and see
him as an icon are dissapointed that he did not clarify the initial press report that said he left immediately after he
realized that IBB will be attending the same event. In all, prof has built a reputation that this minro glitch will not
tarnish.
June 24, 2010

amx said:
...
prof, there is nothing wrong with meeting with IBB,it is what transpered btw u that matters. despite the Oyeyemi's
writeup our respect for you still hold. Long live prof.
June 24, 2010
WAY4WARD said:
...
@ Olajire Gbolu, Did you not read the below paragraph from the prof's rejoinder
" Did Babangida really say we had tea together? I am learning of this weird claim for the first time. So what should I
do? Sue him for defamation? Oyeyemi owes it to his readers to unravel the earth-shaking details of this tea session.
Was it with milk? Cream? Sugar? Biscuits on the side? After all, Oshiomole’s visitors’ lounge was constantly filled,
from the beginning to the end. Someone must have noticed some sinister details. The stewards must remember whom
they served tea, and in whose company. Oyeyemi should do his homework. Obviously these are weighty matters on
which the future of the nation depends."
June 24, 2010
Niger Deltean said:
...
The life that is unexamnined is not worth living - The Apology.
Let's noot pander to sentiments here. Oyeyemi acted based on report he read. While every Nigerian percieve Prof.
Soyinka as a distinguish and exceptional individual, it doesn't erode the human factor in all of us. We can't hold our
leaders with one set of standard and use different parameters in assessing public commentators. Even the well
respected Gani had his short coming before his death.
A classical case is Soyinka point of disagreement with Prof. Tam David West on the personality and policy of Gen.
Buhari's government. He continue to brand Buhari as a military despot but served under a worse despot
(IBB)government. A man who openly institute corruption publicly in Nigeria with a lot of human rights abuse and
high profile assasination hanging over his head. These are some double standard no matter how we interpret them.
June 24, 2010
zrskm said:
...
I see two things colliding here between Remi Oyeyemi and Professor Wole Soyinka.The former is an inquisitive
Journalist and the latter has a reputation to preserve- self preservation.
I thought both Remi Oyeyemi and Professor Wole Soyinka did a great job in weighing the issues and stabilizing the
turbulence in the air caused by that infamous occasion in Edo State.
June 24, 2010
Olajire Gbolu said:
...
If the prof actually 'drank tea', then he would be human. But if he didn't, then Babangida would have been a beast and

Oyeyemi a beast keeper.
June 24, 2010
Olajire Gbolu said:
...
So, so much grammar just to buttress a point, but which we never seem to get factual. Did Professor Wole Soyinka
drink Tea with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at Adams Oshiomhole's residence? Simple question that would have
been answered as a conclusive paragraphs in the professor's 'short novel'. I think Prof would need to do another
response to the said piece. The question was, "did he, or did he not?"
June 24, 2010
Lolo Okpabio said:
...
@ OSAYANDE:
I feel sorry for you, I really do. You are a bitter, twisted liar. You are one of those people who stare at the truth yet
deny it. How could you be so obtuse as to suggest the WS won the Nobel 'because of his closeness to IBB'? Oh what a
dimwit! People like you make the world ugly. Develop some courage and aspire to greater things. Don't spend your
existence being a backbench moaner.
June 24, 2010
LA2 said:
...
I doubt the professor will return to read our responses and why should he? It's not like he has nothing better to do
than to read through various attempts at impressing him with big grammar. This response is therefore for us and not
for him. I'm am still amazed that he bothered to reply to the Oyeyemi chap in the first place - a man who must right
now be very pleased with himself, howbeit, misguidedly. My two Kobo: SR, please investigate your facts before you
publish anything. This is not your first lapse in judgement. Resist the temptation to rush to print just for the sake of
appearing current. Learn to respect your elders. Yes, Oyeyemi, this one is for you.
June 24, 2010
vondoo said:
...
What are all these hullaballo all about. Oyeyemi was simply being curious for the truth to prevail. Reports were made
of u-turn at the Airport and not transit from Oshiomole's lounge to the Airport. At least that was what, us, that read
the papers saw. So with all due respect to the Nobel Prof, Dr was trying to put the common man in the know of the
machinations of the press media while at the same time seeking answers to a presentation that could be used by
Nigerians knowing how they are to rubbish any good intention you might have for the suffering masses. Thanks for
taking time out for the response at least we are now almost grasping the real happenstance as it trasnpired on that
day. Press media take note: Prof does not drink tea meant for babies but strong stuff that even IBB cannot handle. Get
my drift?
June 24, 2010
abbas baba said:
...

Osayande or whatever he calls himself should know this. The nobel Prize is given without political considerations or
consultations. Herein lies the problem with citizen journalism-hear-say and conjectures, based on anything but facts. I
know we can do better.
June 24, 2010
Prophet Muammar Ghadafi said:
...
@Osanyande...u are a COW! so u mean that IBB lobbied the Nobel Committee to award Soyinka prize?...mind u I love
Achebe more than Soyinka but that dosent mean he didt merit the award.
@Onani...paid IBB's agent
@Emeka Eze...even if prof. greeted IBB was wrong?...u mean if Obama comes to Nigeria and meets the council of
states that he wont shake IBB?
@B.j, D. OJO, Sameo et al. ... u are goofing.
Fellow Nigerians...for the erudite prof. to even condescend to respond it Oyeyemis's fiction proves that he's humble.
Pls prof we love u.
June 24, 2010
Ihediwa D.C said:
...
After reading IBB's interview I felt the same way Oyeyemi felt. I do not want to think that Oyeyemi was on the side of
IBB, rather he could not fathom the new found love between the duo, especially on the side of Prof.Soyinka whom has
been clamoring for a people oriented governance. But thank God, the response from Prof is a soothing balm.
June 24, 2010
Rebel said:
...
@Osanyande....ol boy wetin be ur problem Wole colllect ur wife? U are now the one pouring vitriolic words on this
site. U dont seem objective to me ...rather like u have a score to settle with Wole Soyinka.
June 24, 2010
WAY4WARD said:
...
@ Osayande.... Who are you that Prof should single out to impress? Why market your ignorance here on SR? Ask any
journalist who knows his onus..... No report is complete or should go to press without having both sides of the story
especially when the subjects are accessible. This is certainly not a case of pomposity. The Prof is just teaching his
students (SR) best practices in journalism
June 24, 2010
Joseph Monehin said:
...

I don't understand why anyone would criticize Remi Oyeyemi for seeking clarifications from Wole Soyinka, though a
public hero and idol to millions of people all over the world, yet still human. And while I appreciate Soyinka's
response to the article, I think it is not proper for him to throw jibes at the young man, even if his (Oyeyemi's) motives
are suspect.
I went back to again read Oyeyemi's piece and it was obvious that he based his queries to the Prof. on reports obtained
from newspapers which were never rebutted.
Someone of Wole Soyinka's calliber must realize that every now and then, as long as he remains a public figure and
hero to many, he will need to come down from his Olympian height to provide clarifications to ordinary mortals like
Remi Oyeyemi. And us bystanders who became better informed after having the privilege of studying his rejoinder.
June 24, 2010
Chief CC Okeke (Moscow, RF) said:
...
Remioyes' article was inorder, and our able Prof. has reacted and cleared the air in an angry,but hilarious manner, all
at the same time. Very interesting!
Anyway, blame the evil IBB for causing the confusion in the first place.He is obviously looking for relevance which he
won't get again!
June 24, 2010
Frank Tee said:
...
Left to me, the erudite professor should have left the article in question unattended to. It is a pity Sahara Reporters
managers can't know the difference between a well-intentioned article and one being used to make disgraced IBB the
issue of discussion. Oyeyemi also wanted to be dignified as someone that the great Wole Soyinka responded to. In my
mind, Prof., it is not worth it. You have lived well. A thousands IBBs and a million Oyeyemis cant bring you down
again. They are too small. Next time, ignore them!
June 24, 2010
sharpmouth said:
...
@osayande. It is clear you represent a set of Nigerians who we'll be glad to throw into the dustbin of 'useless
Nigerians' with your silly comments over what Prof Wole Soyinka wrote in response to Oyeyemi's article in the
Saharareporters. I will not waste my time trying to join any issue with you but i want whoever is reading this piece to
know that you are a disgrace to this country.
June 24, 2010
pee said:
...
SR is above board on this. Prof you have done the right thing by putting the records straight but don't blame SR.
However, who cares whether Soynika attends the same social event with IBB? The important thing is that each sticks
to his principles.
For me, l don't care. What l yearn for is ONE MAN ONE VOTE. I stand on UWAIS REPORT not all these distractions.
June 24, 2010

Perry Romos said:
...
Remi raised a genuine concern of what had been reported in the Compass Newspaper. More so because Prof. Wole
Soyinka did not refute the story for at least a week after the IBB's interview was publicized. We know from experience
that if OBJ were to make false claims about Wole Soyinka in an interview, he's very likely to respond within 24 hours.
So, there's bound to be expectation of speedy response by Wole Soyinka to false claims against him. That's the
precedence he has set with a former president, and it is to that same standard that Nigerians hold him to when other
former presidents are concerned. The good thing in all of this is that Wole Soyinka has cleared the air about what
transpired at Oshiomhole's visitor's court on that day.
June 24, 2010
KaparaK said:
...
Osayande is spot on Soyinka’s double standard when it comes to IBB v OBJ. wOLE-FRN is conveniently silent on IBB
(one of the 2 worst leaders Nigeria ever had) while vociferous on OBJ (the greatest of our leaders) minor
shortcomings, rumors, et al. As much as I hate to comment on doggerels now published on SR, particularly by this
Oyeyemi dude, I just have to say that Soyinka has just been served the same dish he has been serving on his arch-
enemy based on his ENVY of OBJ’s unparallel success. Now Soyinka says he is tired of rallies, after only two timid
ones with nothing to show. Gimme a break!
June 24, 2010
BENNYBOY said:
...
are u trying to convince the many intelligent Nigerians that IBB has taken charge of this media pot to organize his
exploit of decient.
Then today will be the last day to browse your site to get any info
thanks and goodbye saharareporter and good luck to you and IBB on your latest Exotic romance, may u get ur desired
orgasm of lies
June 24, 2010
The SCOURGE said:
...
The great man is still great despite any inconsequential article.No doubt history will gudge you as one of Nigeria's
best.One only wishes there are many more like you.Those who admire,love and respect you, still do irrespective.SR
may have got it wrong this time but it still a credible news outlet.I hope SR apologises for the error, and move on.
June 24, 2010
WAY4WARD said:
...
How come Tribune, Punch, Vanguard and Daily Independent reported this same fabrication? What are we to believe
then? Is it that none of these newspapers had their reporters/representatives at the Edo state house to cover the
Oshimole's rally or Did all of them (newspapers) haver just one reporter who was cooling off in some dirty hotel room
and only reported that rubbish afterwards?
This is now a call to the Media heads of the newspapers in question to relieve the reporters that submitted this

falsehood of their duties as they are not fit for that role or risk the abandonment of their papers assuming that they (
media heads) have the moral pedastal to do so. The legendary Gani Fawehinmi (May his soul rest in peace) would
have sued this inept newspapers for misleading the reading public if he were still here with us.
June 24, 2010
WAY4WARD said:
...
I have never had any doubt in my mind about Prof Soyinka's intergrity even after reading Remi Oyeyemi's article
majorly because my people say "A leopard can never change its skin/spot" The prof, even though human, has come a
very long way in activism and has never been found wanting even when the "maradonic" Maradona wanted to soil his
hands FRSC the same way he did to Tai Solarin with PBN. That the Nobel Laureate did not refute the way the media
reported the Edo incident could be owing to different reasons of which he has mentioned a few.
Having said all of that, those calling for Oyeyemi's head are misplacing their anger. I think Oyeyemi's article was out
of curiosity even though it leaned a little to pro-IBBsm but (as we were thought in school) he referenced all his
sources/materials, hence I think the main culprit here is the Nigeria mainstream media.
June 24, 2010
osayande* said:
...
Cont.
To Wole Soyinka
Once again, in your arrogance and as would be expected of the typical Nigerian buffoons, you queried why
Saharareporters did not consult you before publishing Oyeyemi’s article, and if I dare ask; when Saharareporters
published your vitriolic comments on the likes of Obasanjo, did they seek his position beforehand ?
My conclusion is, despite your prolonged pretence, you are just another part, parcel protagonist of the corrupt,
fraudulent contraption called Nigeria, completely devoid of any original ideas and progressive intelligence, and like I
said before; you have never impressed me.
June 24, 2010
osayande* said:
...
To: Wole Soyinka
Your disjointed and meaningless response though convenient, clearly exposed your arrogance, lack of respect for
contrary views and any sense of social responsibility. Nigerians, in their ignorance have typically failed to recognize
you as just another fifty year-old fraud, but personally, I have never been impressed. Nigerians seems to confuse the
ability to convolute a foreign language as a measure of intelligence.
Yes, you got a Nobel laurel, but again in my view, this was at the expense of a more deserving Chinua Achebe, and
only as a result of your cosiness with Babangida, who now seems to owe an eternal debt. All through time, your
reluctant criticisms of his atrocities have always been mild and coshed up in your favourite foreign language, whereas
your swipes at Obasanjo are ever vicious and venomous. Yet you have to be utterly dishonest not to discern who
amongst these two has caused the most harm to Nigeria.

June 24, 2010
ifeoma said:
...
When I read that write up by Remi Oyeyemi, I knew it was trash. I didn't expect Prof to respond,but now, I thank God
he did. Cos'am always glad to read his write up, they are ever educative.
SR pls like Prof said above, next time, contact him before publishing such trash.
June 24, 2010
Alaka Yusuf Akin said:
...
DEar Prof,
I am impress by your humility to the point of replying Oyeyemi. I think writers should be more objective and sincere
in their write ups. However for SR to publish the piece without telling the prof is the most appropriate thing to do but
they should also strife for the truth while in the course of duty. Nonetheless, WS is an icon and a lot of us looks to
him as such.
Yusuf Akin Alaka.
June 24, 2010
NigerianHercules said:
...
I decided to play Oriental Brother's Classic Hit, "Onye ma Uche Chukwu" on my Guitar for Laureate Soyinka. Check it
out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMRn41BudLg
June 24, 2010
Kola, UK said:
...
Prof. Wole Soyinka is one of the few respected African personalities left. He is like Chief Gani Fawahinmi, he has
fought and criticised every evil administration in Nigeria. He doesn’t have to respond to any article written by
malicious EVIL paid Journalist but he did and that earned him more respect from us. So Mr. Oyeyemi, whom are you
going to write about next? Now that Prof. has used his tea break to clarify the issue. GOD BLESS NIGERIA
June 24, 2010
osisi said:
...
It is good to have a discourse like the above. Mr Oyeyemi raised issues and Prof. Soyinka cleared them and cleared
them well. This is how responsible civil societies are built, there is room enough for every one to express and
expression must come with respect to the other man's views. What we have seen does not call for name calling but
rather a promotion of such. Our dear Prof. it is always and in all ways, refreshing to read and hear you, you invoke a
passion and a call to greatness, your piece lacks nothing of you, once more thank you. To Oyeyemi, I say nice one and
the new Nigeria begins with each of us. May all Nigerians keep the spirit and quest for a better and greater Naija.

June 24, 2010
Dr Deji Yusuf said:
...
Honour is one virtue that is fast disappearing in our clime and many people will pass anything including fabrications
or hearsay as truth. No man of honour or principle will use lies or concoction even against known criminals or rascals.
Principled individuals are now mostly been derided in our clime by vermins who stand for nothing and lacking in
character to make irresponsible inferences.Even among theives their is honour so the saying goes.
June 24, 2010
Aybee said:
...
Zanderlex, people like u should know that one of the cardinal principles of any type of journalism is always to get both
sides of the story straight, before it is published not afterwards. I am sorry but SR got it completely wrong this time
and the prof is justified in his response.
June 24, 2010
Olaoluwa Peters said:
...
Whats with the SR should have contacted me before publishing a story with my name thing?Does that tone appear
any different from the morons in govt today?Pls Prof,we are all Nigerians and it will not be fair to give any special
consideration afterall we are all equal.The noise you and other proclaimed activists have been making dint stop NASS
members 4rm gttn hugely paid for notin or approving Uwais report so WTF?abeg.
Some Nigerians are soo dumb to the extent of rendering there brain permanently blank.What wrong has Oyeyemi
done on this issue pls?The dude only requested for clarification which we are just getting to know.Prof never told
Nigerians he met IBB in benin,did he?
June 24, 2010
Blanko said:
...
Prof. Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka- the founder of an anti-corruption & justice seeking student organization CANNOT
suddenly betray his conscience..I know he isn't a Saint but, Naija thieves{leaders} didn't make him a Noble laureate
neither did they make him UNESCO goodwill Ambassador- the world did.. NOBLE= moral in an honest, brave & not
selfish way.
Prof. is cousins to Fela Kuti, Beko Ransome Kuti & co...you know wot blood flows in his veins by this?. He CANNOT
compromise with corruption abeg!.. The FIRST African to win the Noble prize in Literature has been fighting for
Justice from his University days till date, so much that Late SANI ABACHA pronounced DEATH sentence on him "in
absentia".. Wole Soyinka + 11 others like him = THE GREATEST NIGERIA THAT WILL EVER EXIST.
June 24, 2010
odenson said:
...
kongi has done what the teaming youthful readers of SR wants. To know the truth. I thank Oyeyemi for writing on the
issue and Kongi's response will further atract more readership to SR. It is always important to call our elders to

account because they are there for us to look upto..... I mean elders like Kongi not rogue the likes of Aneni, IBB, Atiku,
OBJ etc.
June 24, 2010
...
Essential authentic WS, quality response to dumb jack ass trash. Oyeyemi aka (Dumb Jack Ass), I hope your puerile
corrupt mind can read between the lines. Your next article should be on the discussion between Jesus and satan when
satan was tempting Jesus. IBB is doomed to failure tricks or no tricks!
June 24, 2010
isakaba said:
...
ITS OK HEARING FROM THE GRAMMATICALLY LADEN ERUDITE PROFESSOR SINCE I HAVE ALREADY
STARTED EXERCISING CAUTION ON ANY FUTURE UTTERANCES FROM HIM AFTER THE STARTLING
REVELETION!
HOWEVER THE OYEYEMI GUY SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO THE GALLOWS SINCE HE QUOTED COPIOUSLY
FROM MORE THAN ONE NEWSPAPER REPORTS WITH ENOUGH CITATION AS TO DATES OF PUBLICATION
ON THE ACCOUNT OF THE U-TURN AT THE AIRPORT.
THE PROF MADE US UNDERSTAND THAT STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA WAS LEFT TO THE AC TO HANDLE.
I BELIEVE THAT THE AC WANTED TO GAIN A POLITICAL POINT FROM THEIR OWN STATEMENT WHICH
NOW BROUGHT THIS ISSUE OF MORAL OBLIGATION TO THE PROF. HOWEVER IT WAS TOO MUNDANE AN
ISSUE FOR THE PROF TO HAVE COMMENTED TO ALBEIT TO THE PRESS IN DEFERENCE TO THE AC
THOUGH AT THE POINT WHEN THE ISSUE BECAME CONTROVERSIAL.
THE AC SHOULD ISSUE AN UNRESERVED APOLOGY TO THE PRESS FOR THIS MIX UP.
June 24, 2010
Dapo Ikantu said:
...
Yes, thanks Prof for taking time to clarify this 'tenacious' issue. Great, the matter can be put to rest. But as the Prof
said, it behoves on SR the responsibility to weigh stories and pass impartial judgment especially on people that have
stood the test of time like Prof.
June 24, 2010
Lekan Olayiwola said:
...
When first I read Oyeyemi's Op-Ed, I doubted that Soyinka would bother to join issues with him. How gratifying that
he actually did. If only all our leaders are accountable for their actions or otherwise, our country would sooner be
fixed. Thanks prof for clarifying the issues raised by Oyeyemi. Let Oyeyemi's critics appreciate his audacity of query.
June 24, 2010
AU Citizen formerly Biafran Child said:
...
Make no mistake about the intention of Oyeyemi's article - it was to raise doubts into in the minds of ordinary

Nigerians about Soyinka's integrity. What really upsets me about journalists in Nigeria is that they are irresponsible,
as Soyinka has pointed out. They're not interested in educating the public or informing anyone. They stir up ethnic &
religious conflict and promote the interests of anyone who pays good money. They're prostitutes who ply their trade
with pen & paper. I'm also concerned about the great number of Igbos who are sympathetic to Babangida. Thankfully,
majority of SR readers are very discerning.
June 24, 2010
jumsmama said:
...
Prof dont mind that oyeyemi! He's just another tool in IBB's arsenal for image-laundering. No right thinking nigerian
will ever believe or attempt to believe whatever ibb says in an interview. Has ibb ever told nigerians the truth about
any issue...dele giwa, june 12, $12b windfall,etc?
Prof, nigerians believe your version. We hail you!
June 24, 2010
D Ojo said:
...
Remi Oyeyemi did the right thing. I have always wondered why a hihgly respected man like Wole Soyinka will get
himself involved with these politicians. There are a few straightforward politians out there yet you see him "dining"
with Tinubu. I was happy he left the place because of IBB and David Mark but was utterly disappointed he left with
Tinubu. I don't need to highlight Tinubu's antecedents both as a conman and a politician. Is Wole Soyinka telling me
Tinubu is not contributing to the ruin of Nigeria?
Remi Oyeyemi is just one out of many skeptical of the Professor's true intention
June 24, 2010
kenny1 said:
...
SR is loosing credibility gradually. The will loose it because their are liars.
June 24, 2010
nenye uu said:
...
In 1992, while in Makurdi i listened to one of IBB's media talk when he said "Nigerians are mentally lazy". He has
continued to say so , even recently when he claims nigerian youths lack the capacity for political leadership and says
that is his reason for 2011 quest.IBB can use all the Oshiomoles in the country for laundering his image but will fail,
he should be told in plain terms that no amount of ARABIAN OIL can wash away the blood in his hands. His only
option is to apologise to Nigerians for his wickedness so that the revenge that awaits generations of his family will not
come.He should stop wasting his time preparing his children for leadership that other nigerian youths lack.
June 24, 2010
BJ said:
...
When did Soyinka part ways with IBB? Was it After he make him chairman of FRSC or after the national honour
bestowed on him.

Haba Prof!
June 24, 2010
Sameoo said:
...
Masters of grammar and confusion! If grammar and confusion could feed your people, nobody would be hungry
today in Yoruba land. Notice the names mentioned in the theatrical and grammatical drama – they are all Yoruba.
No matter how educated, no matter how long they lived outside Nigeria, it’s still the same - still arguing, still fighting,
and still causing confusion and wacking useless grammar like children.
This is why OBJ and Yoruba elders spent 8 years arguing and fighting like wild monkeys. Keep fighting and showing
off your useless grammar; the world moves on while your kind starve to death.
June 24, 2010
Chop&Kwench said:
...
The problem with WS is that he is way too arrogant and intolerant of criticism even though he makes a living as a
critic. In my view, Oyeyemi was indeed right! WS actually had tea with IBB. It does not matter if the tea "party" took
place inside Ogbe stadium with a billion people present. I read the initial account of what transpired in Benin and
WS's airport interview and from all accounts I never imagined that WS had any contact with IBB. The impression
created was that IBB was "hiding" somewhere unknown to WS and his group! So if Oyeyemi seeks clarifications on
the "tea party" he deserves a respectful response rather than a rebuke. WS is a man I respect for his intellect and
candour but his pomposity is nauseatting. He's no God.
June 24, 2010
Herodotus said:
...
Emeka Eze is quite right. I do think that prof caustic response and the near-ridiculing of Oyeyemi is over-reaction. He
should simply have stated his own facts. The truth of the event according to him. Oyeyemi simply wants to hear the
version of his idol. Prof's response as is usual, deftly leaves out the substance and goes for the jugular of the writer.
Many of us see prof as our role model, but he is sometimes given to excesses that we may not agree with and he
should give us space and respect to ask him questions. Asking him questions is not tantamount to undermining him.
He should understand this. Patience prof. Patience.
June 24, 2010
katampe said:
...
I hope Remi Oyeyemi learns one or two lessons from Professor Wole Soyinka response about civic duties and
responsibilities. He responded in an elevated tone,not in a pompous style. It is good to raise issues, especially those
crucial to our national life, yet it behooves on us to do so in the culture and tradition grounded in good moral values
and ethical commitment.
The court of public opinion is no different from the traditional courts. If we must bring someone to "judgment," we
must do so with an ethical conduct of arguments grounded in sound reasons and factual support.I hope this is a
takeaway for Oyeyemi.

June 24, 2010
Merem Emeribe said:
...
Oyeyemi did not get his facts right.This is a prerequisite for investigative journalism.Inuendos,half truths and
conjectures are not the weapons of counter political insurgency.Prof,you wrote with clarity and many of us in this
forum are humbled that you stooped to be one of us.I shudder when I see names that contain 'yeye'.My experience
with such yeye containing names is that they are very unreliable and are worthy of being regarded as yeye
people.There is one retired justice with that IbiYEYE name who retired as one of the biggest criminals and bribe
takers.He contributed in no small measure to the indebtedness of Abia state and the rising banditry in that failed
state.Yeye people will always remain disgusting as this justice and the fake accuser of Wole Soyinka.
June 24, 2010
Dare Nigeria said:
...
@Emeka Eze, If you are a student of English, you would know that Remi Oyeyemi's article was filled with innuendoes
and sarcasm. He was not asking for clarification. His objective was to ridicule the Kongi. Read article again. And this
time, take your time while at it for proper understanding.
June 24, 2010
Michael Onyebuchi Eze, PhD said:
...
I am fascinated by the creative style of Prof. Soyinka that remains ever fresh. Personally, I didn't think that Oyeyemi
deserved a response. Nigerians are no fools. I read his article and I barely finished it for lack of creative imagination
with regards to both substance and style - simply awesome. Abegi, make una leave Wole alone. We know the problem
with Nigeria - the self styled evil genius who should be in jail for money laundering, mass murder and name them. But
know he is free because he "owns" everybody else. An evil man wanting to completely destroy what is left of Nigeria
because of personal ambition laced with greed. But we will write his name to infamy not with the sword but with pen.
June 24, 2010
Pope Sonny said:
...
Help! I am still praying for Prof. to believe in Jesus and be saved, so that his excellent writtings will continue in
heaven, where we'll miss him.
Nice one Prof.
June 24, 2010
james agba said:
...
WS let me apologise on behalf of the young generation of this nation that an age where you should be resting enjoying
the fruits of you labor for this nation you are still dragged into this sort of malevolent schemes.Prof you have played
more than you part for this nation.
June 24, 2010

OC said:
...
@Emeka Eze, I side with you on this. I did not believe the writer, for a moment, sounded pro IBB, nor did he seek to
malign the Prof (unless his article was read upside down). He adduced facts from Newspapers reportage and sought
clarification, which the respected Prof has now given, albeit, taking jibes at the writer. Those jibes were unnecessary
and uncalled for. Like millions of Nigerians, I was misled as well by the Newspapers' account of events. Prof's
clarification should have come sooner than now, and as soon as the Newspapers reported their fabrications. To kill the
lie on its head. SR is an open forum and I say NO to censorship, which the Prof is preaching. Anybody can air their
views freely on SR, including the Prof.
June 24, 2010
kennedy okonkwo said:
...
I REPEAT WITHOUT ANY FEAR OF CONTRADICTION,SOYINKA IS THE ONLY MAN STANDING IN THE
WEST....YOUR CREDIBILITY IS INTACT AND THAT OF REMI OYEYEMI FURTHER TARNISHED......PEOPLE BE
ON YOUR GUARD,MARADONA IS ENTERING THE SCENE AGAIN.
June 24, 2010
monday said:
...
Two wrongs dont make a right. The man asked for clarification which Prof. has offered, that settles the matter. Let us
appreciate that Oyeyemi demanded this out of respect for person of Prof and not to riddicle him. We are all mortals
no matter how we think about ourselves. The fact is Prof. is not an angel but flesh and blood so the need for
explanation. We thank him for taking time to reply.
June 24, 2010
Ramses Osiris said:
...
I knew it, and lots of discerning SR readers knew it too:
Remi O-YEYE-mi and the other mercenaries were only trying to deodorize their stinking,odious master by spraying
him with a whiff of Soyinka´s sweet-smelling perfume, inorder to enchant us into embracing and anointing Africa´s
Public Enemy No.1! Like I posted before on Oyeyemi´s page, the Minna Monster played the same game with Obama
recently, until the American Embassy was forced to issue a disclaimer!
You notice there´s a certain methodology to this madness: the evil genius is trying desperately to launder his
nauseating image by hallucinating about "tea-parties" with decent personalities. Why this criminal is still allowed to
roam about freely, when he should be rotting in jail at the very least, is beyond my imagination! Drinking tea with him
is a very dangerous undertaking! And Soyinka is smart enough NOT to do that!
June 23, 2010
Okwuchukwu Ezeanyika, Pennsylvania, USA said:
...
Dear Professir, you should not have wasted your precious time replying to this moron of a Remi Oyeyemi, whether he
is a real person or phantom. Nigeria has serious problems today for us to dwell on and proffer advice to our political
leaders who are indeed psychopathic snakes in suits and agbadas. They are without conscience, voting N10 billion to
celebrate one-day independence anniversary while Femi Falana, a private individual is taking them to court for

neglecting the Lagos-Benin-Onitsha highway. The leaders who are sustained at people's expense do not care about the
people but a private citizen is showing concern. Prof, let us have your comments regarding the present situation of
governance in Nigeria. This is what we care about, not whether you took tea, fura de nunu or tuwo shinkafa with
Babangida.
June 23, 2010
Emeka Eze said:
...
The references cited by Oyeyemi are all verifiable and for any contributor to this discussion to be calling him names,
amounts to sheer ignorance. How can you call a man who wrote an article and cited other newspaper reports
especially Tribune owned by the Awolowo family, Vanguard, Punch among others as being stupid? Those reports
indicated that Prof Wole Soyinka turned back at the airport in Benin but by the Prof's own account, he was at the
governor's office and he met and greeted IBB.
Lets be objective in all our reactions or we may end up loosing the lesson by our lopsided thinking.
June 23, 2010
Emeka Eze said:
...
Dear Prof. Soyinka reading through your response and having read the initial Op-Ed by Oyeyemi, I came to the
conclusion that he was not lying against you nor inferring that you were lying in anyway. All he was calling for is your
clarification. In fact it is fair to say that he presented you in the said article as one we all look up to and as for IBB he
added nothing that one could consider to be pro for him.
Unless you consider yourself above disrepute and all you do is perfect, if this is the way you consider yourself to be,
then we have problem as we need leaders who we can disagree and re-agree with as we get confused with actual facts.
You are an institution and consider what it will really mean for SR to contact before going to publish any item that
bears your name or connects to you in anyway. What sort of society would we say that we are operating if SR do this
for you and a few others?
June 23, 2010
mrpeterssaid said:
...
Prof, in you will trust.Some bastards will continue to doubt your integrity,but we the majority are with you.May your
days be long,the true defender for the fatherless.
June 23, 2010
Onari said:
...
in the nigerian media, you are guilty until proven innocent. cheap article to get a response from the learned professor.
oyeyemi carry go!!!
June 23, 2010
zena Yan said:

...
@zandalex:very well said.The prof must have drank some of that "pomposity" brew to think that SR should have
notified him of the article before publishing.SR is not accountable to any individual.I am glad he clarified himself
though.
June 23, 2010
Gred Williams said:
...
Even though it's a tough thing to do to trust any Nigerian elites for one minute for what they say and do and even
though a Yorubaman is the least on my list to trust for what they say, nevertheless, this Prof. is a well respected man
to whom many of us look up to and i appreciates him. So I must thank him for his civility to had reacted to the
accusation in the manner he did so to clerify the issue before the audience who many are no match to him. That been
said, i hope the Prof. would take note to come to term with the reality so not to transfer his anger on SR for publishing
the reported article and he cnnot as well compare the latter with Nigerian dailies like Thisday, Guardian or any other
status quo media houses who are nothing but agents of corruption in Nigeria. I truly feels that for this the Prof had set
himself above the rest and i want to thank him once more.
June 23, 2010
oyi11 said:
...
Prof,i admire uou so much that i now feel like speaking Igbo for you
jisike...you are the only African man alive today that really merits that untainted honour.you are just like an effigy of
Chris Okigbo
but one thing i ask of you....pleas do not get involved with the politcs of 2011.Obj and his cronies seem to be using the
activists through the back door of an ethnic tea party...another tea party...lol
thank you sir
June 23, 2010
oyi11 said:
...
Prof,i admire uou so much that i now feel like speaking Igbo for you
jisike...you are the only African man alive today that really merits that untainted honour.you are just like an effigy of
Chris Okigbo
but one thing i ask of you....pleas do not get involved with the politcs of 2011.Obj and his cronies seem to be using the
activists through the back door of an ethnic tea party...another tea party...lol
thank you sir
June 23, 2010
ariteni said:
...
This entire saga reminds me a Primary School drama about "SATAN"and his cap. This is only the beginning. Ikedi
had to issue "DISCLAIMER". Prof's disclaimer is needless and totally unwarranted. "The purists of political contact..."

i.e. ALL PATRIOTIC NIGERIANS are nevertheless gratefull for the unexpected favour. It is too late in the day for Prof
Soyinka to deny friendship with Ibrahim Babangida. Oyeyemi didn't need to write as if he was exposing anything new.
But it is cheap and mischievious for Oshiomole and Babangida to "use" the Prof like that. Next time you visit
Oshiomole, Dear Prof, be extra careful lest you get infected with RADICULOPATHY!
June 23, 2010
plain_veracity said:
...
@ Niger Delta, very well stated my guy.
June 23, 2010
samuel Andrews said:
...
Is this Dr.Remi Oyeyemi? i know please which is this?We need clarification.You cannot be a ghost writer.
June 23, 2010
oga say said:
...
Prof. I respect Oooooo!
June 23, 2010
oga say said:
...
Prof. Thank u sir, QED
June 23, 2010
yasmin said:
...
Prof easy jare...you wan kill us with grammar...ahan, na only u ?
June 23, 2010
Nwa Naija said:
...
Like I said before: his INTEGRITY remains INTACT. Don't mind the YEYE writer... He is just earning his pay. Prof
salute!
June 23, 2010
IKHIDE ODEKS said:
...
Though I still believe prof Soyinka owes nobody any explanation because "Oyeyemi's article" was filled with

Though I still believe prof Soyinka owes nobody any explanation because "Oyeyemi's article" was filled with
assumptions and conclusions, I still applaud the professor for taking his time to address readers of SR. Thank you sir!
June 23, 2010
Nwa nnna said:
...
You shouldn't have bothered responding to the article by Oyeyemi.
Nigerians are always in constant habit of trying to demstify great individuals.
There are one thousand and one known criminals to write against in Nigeria but the likes of oyeyemi wont understand
why people like Soyinka exist.
June 23, 2010
MM said:
...
Nice write up... guess that is why he is the prof.
June 23, 2010
Niger Delta said:
...
This is our own Soyinka, the pride of Africa. One thing is certain, this Oyeyemi guy would be so happy today. I am
certain he would keep a copy of this reaction as a memento for life - for the Great Wole Soyinka to have the time to
respond to him in details! O boy Oyeyemi, you have arrived o, my only fear is that you are arriving on a wrong note.
June 23, 2010
Niger Delta said:
...
This is our own Soyinka, the pride of Africa. One thing is certain, this Oyeyemi guy would be so happy today. I am
certain he would keep a copy of this reaction as a memento for life - for the Great Wole Soyinka to have the time to
respond to him in details! O boy Oyeyemi, you have arrived o, my only fear is that you are arriving on a wrong note.
June 23, 2010
YJ said:
...
I'm glad Prof Soyinka gave a swing at Oyeyemi. SR should get their acts right and report objectively. Thank u Prof...
So much for a tea break in Naija!
June 23, 2010
bennik said:
...
Our dear Prof whether you had tea with Baba to ngida or not is whose problem anyway, the article is nonsensical. The
name Oyeyemi is fictitious to be candid with u, so why bother. But it is better u put the records straight as Nigerians
thrive on rumours than facts. God bless you and No shaking.

June 23, 2010
zanderlex said:
...
Dear Prof, Saharareporters have done no wrong in not consulting you before publishing. This media Saharareporters
is no mans land and publishes in reported tense for us less mortals to choose what to believe. Your response would
have been an A+ worthy of emulation if not for the error in your judgement that you should have been consulted.I
hope you have not been infected with that disease of "pomposity" at Oshimole's residence!!
June 23, 2010
Dumka said:
...
Thanks Prof for this reply. I honestly did not expect you to respond since the said article confirms a hatchet job. No
matter how many paid agents write in this forum, IBB will remain what he is to majority of Nigerians, a leper and a
scorge, a national embarassment. Once again, thanks prof. It is always a pleasure to read from your refined mind.
June 23, 2010
patrick prince egwakhide-Moscow, Russia said:
...
I see this as an attack for an attack, Or Is the highly honoured Professor falling in love with IBB? All I know is that
any where IBB is mentioned whether good or not it will be interpreted for evil.The Professor should better pray not
arrive at cross road with IBB
June 23, 2010
Mary John said:
...
While Prof. Soyinka is not a saint, and I don't think he claims to be, I think Odeyemi's article is ill advised. It is not
Odeyemi's fault, it is Oshiomole's. Oshiomole is the one playing games, and unfortunately, he beat some of our
respected ones.
June 23, 2010
kamang said:
...
i think SR is to blame for this.they owe it to us to not allow just anything pass for an article here.
June 23, 2010
african prince said:
...
But Kongi are u denying ur friendship with IBB? After his visit to your
personal House at Abeokuta? We also know of the fact that were a member of IBBs govrnment as Chief Executive of
Federal Road safety in which you excelled and employed a lot of sea dogs; Ahoy!
Do you want us to tell of the Monies you made IBB give to African "Liberation Movements". Kongi, you are an

intellectual "Iroko" and no mere mortal takes you on lightly on matters of literary discourse but facts are Sacred!
Regards,
African Prince
June 23, 2010
Olaseni Sobande -UK said:
...
Who the hell is this Remi Oyeyemi that tried to impugn or malign the personality of our respectable Proffesor
Soyinka?
June 23, 2010
Richie Alabi said:
...
Sometimes, silence is the best answer for a fool. Atimes it is right to put things straight, especially for the confused
minds and paid agents of IBB. However, you have clarified your true position on the issue at hand and I am sure that
those who are still in doubt must have cleared their doubts by now. Thank you prof.
June 23, 2010
Uju said:
...
Dear Prof. Soyinka, very refreshing to read from you. We, the ordinary Sr users had come to your defence on this
matter. We knew from the first sentence of Mr. Oyeyemi's article that it was all a sponsored attack from the IBB side.
Now you have granted Oyeyemi the attention he badly needed by writing your beautiful rejoinder. I don't know what
to think about SR's decision to publish his article, but I feel it is necessary to let many people air their views on this
platform and for some it is a lifetime opportunity to make their views heard no matters how terribly constructed.
Oyeyemi's intention was clear and that topic has been adequately dealt with by our fellow commentators.
IBB will come from different angles, but he will definitely go back to his real place soon- by this I mean -OBLIVION!
Thank you Professor Soyinka for your beautiful mind.
June 23, 2010
O:J said:
...
Sr please do your thing constructively or one of this days it might land some of you in jail or you´ll pay serious libel
for mis-information
June 23, 2010
yinka oguntokun said:
...
Well written. We must avoid sensationalism if we are to steer Nigeria right.

yinka@oguntokun.com
June 23, 2010
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Tea Break In Naija 10-06-28 13:11

Tea Break In Naija

Written by Wole Soyinka

http://saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6342-tea-break-in-naija.html Page 1 sur 37

http://saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6342-tea-break-in-naija.html Page 2 sur 37

June 25, 2010

@Jaguda: A good Professor must be able to communicate in plain English .

Supposing you say to him:

He would not understand you because he thinks that

June 25, 2010

Mgamgba brothers said:

http://saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6342-tea-break-in-naija.html Page 3 sur 37

June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

Mr Merry Chukwu said:

June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

Chief CC Okeke (Moscow, RF) said:

http://saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6342-tea-break-in-naija.html Page 4 sur 37

June 25, 2010

okwui agada said:

June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

Ramses Osiris said:

June 25, 2010

http://saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6342-tea-break-in-naija.html Page 5 sur 37

June 25, 2010

Hem Bulkwang said:

June 25, 2010

oladeji esan said:

June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

http://saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6342-tea-break-in-naija.html Page 6 sur 37

June 25, 2010

abel ade said:

June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

Ramses Osiris said:

June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

http://saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6342-tea-break-in-naija.html Page 7 sur 37

June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

paquito bites said:

http://saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6342-tea-break-in-naija.html Page 8 sur 37

June 24, 2010

June 24, 2010

June 24, 2010

paquito bites said:

June 24, 2010

June 24, 2010

http://saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6342-tea-break-in-naija.html Page 9 sur 37

June 24, 2010

June 24, 2010

Abdulmalik Yusuf said:

June 24, 2010

andy ekugo said:

June 24, 2010

andy ekugo said: