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It’s Best To Let Biafra Agitators Have Their Way But…- Wole Soyinka

Wole Soyinka

Nigerian nobel laureate Wole Soyinka recently published an article in which he spoke extensively about the Nigerian nation and the old and renewed agitations for Biafra by the Igbo people.

Soyinka said it’s best to let the Biafra agitators have their way but also noted they are better off in a United Nigeria.

He spoke of the devastating effects of the civil war- caused by the first agitation- and stated that although the agitators at that time were defeated, the agitation wasn’t crushed. According to him, the agitation has been passed on and has learned to remain just below the surface over the decades.

Against the declaration of many Nigerian elites, Wole Soyinka believes the unity of Nigeria is negotiable, as it was birthed from negotiations in the first instance. He recommended negotiations and consultations in the face of the current agitations instead of violence and hate speeches.

“We need therefore to eliminate the distracting lament of professionals of violence and confront, in its own right, the issue of the collective volition of any human grouping. This leaves us with the other line of approach, the line of frankly subjective or reasoned, pragmatic preferences. It is a positioning that admits, quite simply, I am a creature of habit and prefer things as they are. Or: I like to be a big frog in a small pond, and allied determinants.

“Should Biafra stay in, or opt out of Nigeria? That is the latent question. Even after years of turbulent co-tenancy, it seems unreal to conceive of a Nigeria without Biafra. My preference for “in” goes beyond objective assessment of economic, cultural and social advantages for Biafra and the rest of us.

Soyinka has two main reasons for wanting Biafrans to stay. According to him, a nation with diverse cultures is more appealing in the modern world, and Nigerians need to shame doomsayers, who predict that Nigeria is a ticking time bomb.

Read full article on NEWSWEEK – War in Nigeria: Victory Remains Elusive 50 Years on

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64 Comments

64 Comments

  1. Chris Orogwu

    July 11, 2017 at 7:58 pm

    PROF YOU TALK WELL

  2. Joe Tex

    July 11, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    Let them be fast about that

  3. Joshua Okeychukwu

    July 11, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    My beloved people of south south and south south east pls let us love ourselves before our enemies will plan evil against us

  4. Ubong Johnson Udon

    July 11, 2017 at 8:34 am

    Vampire King.

  5. Andrew Alozie

    July 11, 2017 at 7:58 am

    iam an igbo man supporting Biafra,that apart ,but we have sold our sold our souls to money,making it imposible to love ourselves ,opening windows for animal insults,My text is that Igbos should love each other so as to get to the promise land ,knowing fully that the three wise men came from the East. with costlest gift to our Lord Jesus.Meaning Biafra is real ,The wave can only rock the ship but cannot sink it.We meet again at the new

    • Prince Ike

      July 11, 2017 at 5:43 pm

      The Biafra Isue Has Brought Unity, Love And Understanding Amongst Us Our Leaders Are All Determined To Ensure That Biafra Is Achived. Dont Mind The Minority That Has Chosed To Sell Thier Birth Right For A Pot Of Portage !

  6. Chris John

    July 11, 2017 at 6:10 am

    It’s oil in the south-south and south east makes it hard for the North and some West politicians to let Biafra go.They so much depend on it and can never survive without the oil. Which meant, they’re lazy and had no confidence in themselves.

  7. Ogechi Constance

    July 11, 2017 at 4:38 am

  8. Kelechi Mbamalu

    July 11, 2017 at 3:21 am

    Ole Soyinkaikai…have u wakeup frm slumber?hope u have not tear ur green card bcos who know the next line of action come ist oct

  9. Gloria Uba

    July 11, 2017 at 12:38 am

    U are highly blessed sir….

  10. Iyke Godspower

    July 10, 2017 at 10:24 pm

    U re right sir

  11. Maduabuchi Moses

    July 10, 2017 at 9:18 pm

    Let biafra go

  12. Paul Majah

    July 10, 2017 at 8:57 pm

    Biafra is the worst nightmare Nigerians ever had but Biafra must come. Kill yourself, if you don’t like it.

  13. Nnoruka Onyedika Philips

    July 10, 2017 at 8:55 pm

    Another sensible person has said it

  14. Paul Nworgu

    July 10, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    i hail u sir

  15. Alaowei Richman Champion

    July 10, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    Thank you sir, you are a real professor

  16. Mercy Gold Okechukwu

    July 10, 2017 at 7:58 pm

    Thank you sir

  17. Akanimordo Egungun Nla

    July 10, 2017 at 7:49 pm

    08173940332 (IJEBU NATIVE DOCTOR)GET RICH IN A WEEK N BE WEALTHY*BIISNESS BOOM*SILENT RICH*YAHOO BIG SOAP*FRUIT OF THE WOMB*DO AS I SAY*LOTTO WIN*VISA*SPEND N GET IT BACK*GOD WILL NOT COME FROM HEAVEN TO HELP YOU*HE DOES THROUGH HUMAN BEING* AND YOU BE SUCCESSFUL* CALL BABA ON +2348173940332 HOME AND ABROAD

  18. Emmanuel Onubuogu

    July 10, 2017 at 7:15 pm

    All Hail Biafra

  19. Onyebuchy Hookz

    July 10, 2017 at 7:09 pm

    Prof. you’re right but unfortunately the hopeless wolfs that think that Nigeria is their sole property can’t let us move forward. It’s better we try the alternative. GOD BLESS BIAFRA

  20. Gabriel Ejiofor

    July 10, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    I dont know why the west is suffering intellecture fever over Biafra. What is criminal about self determination? Why must the man (BIAFRA) die in the face of tyranny. Igbos have been relegated to serfdom in one nigeria since independence to the benefits of yorubas and hausas but now we say pharoas let my people and we ready to pass over the red sea period. All we ask is lets do it in a civil manner withou jihad or genocide.

  21. Igwe Innocent Nkemakolam

    July 10, 2017 at 6:18 pm

  22. Ogbebe Michael Ogbebe

    July 10, 2017 at 6:13 pm

    up biafra

  23. Stella Obilo

    July 10, 2017 at 6:07 pm

    But what?

  24. Freedom Abia

    July 10, 2017 at 6:01 pm

  25. Joshua Nworie

    July 10, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    But what sir?

  26. Ndubest Charles

    July 10, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    Na that BUT wey u put after this ur statement go kill u …. But what when nigeria has over dew … Nigeria is a fraud and a calamity to humanities

  27. Oforbuike Nwaodo

    July 10, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    Total support

  28. Christopher Ochini

    July 10, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    Good

  29. Tobechukwu Adunigwe

    July 10, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    Say it loud to them

  30. Isa Imodagbe

    July 10, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    They can never have their way. They have no other country to call their own but Nigeria! Ndigbo belong to us.

  31. Gerald Nlemedim

    July 10, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    Biafra we stand,

  32. Gerald Nlemedim

    July 10, 2017 at 5:30 pm

  33. Gerald Nlemedim

    July 10, 2017 at 5:29 pm

  34. Bosun Banjoko

    July 10, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    We cant wait for them to Ieave Iagos

    • Cythia Odinachi

      July 10, 2017 at 5:51 pm

      You no suppose talk because lagos is developed is igbos, lagos is industrialize is igbos, the face and respect lagos have today 75% is igbos so i will advice you to mind what is minding you there cause we are not troublesome.

    • Cythia Odinachi

      July 10, 2017 at 5:52 pm

      You no suppose talk because lagos is developed is igbos, lagos is industrialize is igbos, the face and respect lagos have today 75% is igbos so i will advice you to mind what is minding you there cause we are not troublesome. Which other yoruba state can you proudly mention?

    • Bonny Bonny

      July 10, 2017 at 5:54 pm

      U why u dey answer am??

    • Bishop Chinedu

      July 10, 2017 at 6:20 pm

      Shut up crimal idiot

    • Amos Nnamani

      July 10, 2017 at 6:34 pm

      alaye lagos fool oleshi

    • Bosun Banjoko

      July 10, 2017 at 7:05 pm

      You cant cIaim Biafra and stiII want to be staying in Iagos. mba, mba you wiII go and deveIop Nnewi, Aba and industraIize those pIaces

    • Donald Donadon

      July 10, 2017 at 7:07 pm

      With pressure

    • Ada Jacklin Prosper

      July 10, 2017 at 9:26 pm

      They can stay anywhere with their visa, Ur brothers staying in UK pls is uk their fathers land

    • Jontor Way

      July 10, 2017 at 10:24 pm

      Moron talk

    • Nnamdi Edmund

      July 10, 2017 at 10:44 pm

      My ppwmo9k9as6j

  35. Gerald Nlemedim

    July 10, 2017 at 5:28 pm

  36. Gerald Nlemedim

    July 10, 2017 at 5:28 pm

  37. Charlie Achomrough

    July 10, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    It is best to allow Biafrans have their way…
    Wole Soyinka. Biafrans will be better off ik a United nigeria. .. Wole Soyinka. The is contradictory. It he has chosen the word “best” which is in the superlative form, why then saying they are better off. When something is the best, there is no need bringing better because “BEST” SUPERSEDES AND SURPERSES “BETTER”. THEREFORE IT IS BETTER BIAFRANS ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE THEIR WAY. GOD bless Biafra.

  38. Gerald Nlemedim

    July 10, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    Sir, as u said the truth, may ur Days belong and may the god almighty keep u and ur family alife so that u will see our promised land biafra,

  39. Nwabueze Biafra

    July 10, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    You always said the truth but some blood suckers don’t like to hear the truth. God Bless you Sir.

  40. Sagacious Sunday Isaiah

    July 10, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    But wat sir? U hv said wat is needed from u as a learned man who understand the word Freedom…
    We ll love our self more n hv respect for each other more if sperate peacefully…
    God bless Biafra..

  41. Sanchiz Sandra

    July 10, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    Now you are talking like a prof…good one sir.

  42. Ugooh Njoku

    July 10, 2017 at 5:16 pm

  43. Japheth Odoh

    July 10, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    Supported

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