How
does one begin to slash through this thickening tissue of lies? Prince
Oyinlola must be put to the strictest proof to substantiate several
outrageous claims in his recent press statement. Failing to do so within
one week from today will result in his taking his well- earned place in
company of the current inmates of THE REPUBLIC OF LIARS – next in my
series of INTERVENTIONS, a public service series published by Bookcraft,
due out in the next month. For now, I categorically deny the following:
A. DENIALS:
1. That I, Wole Soyinka, at any time, opposed the creation of the
CBCIU in Osun State in act or spirit. This is an allegation of
mind-blowing impudence, since the very opposite constitutes the
truth.
2. That I ever sought, by word or deed, or encouraged, supported,
or even discussed the creation of CBCIU on any spot on this
continent outside Osun State, Nigeria.
3. That I ever spoke or wrote to the late President Yar’Adua on
the subject of the creation of any such centre in Nigeria or
anywhere else. My one and only encounter with the late president was
on the subject of the MEND insurgency in the Delta region – as part
of a group of intercessors, invited by that president.
4. Similarly, that I ever discussed the CBCIU, privately or on any
forum, with Yar’Adua’s successor, President Jonathan. On the
contrary, Prince Oyinlola wrote a letter to Jonathan president
requesting him to “call Wole Soyinka to order” for “meddling” in the
affairs of Osun state, having been “caught” visiting Osun shrine. I
was shown a copy of that letter.
5. That I, in my own person, or the governing board of CBCIU did
institute, or has ever initiated legal action involving the CBCIU.
That the Board should have been involved in the legal proceeding is
obvious and logical. The CBCIU Board, created under the current
governor, has always taken its legitimacy for granted according to
the laws of Osun State. Thus it had no cause to drag any aggrieved
individual to court. The responsibility for responding to any
litigation challenging Osun State laws is, I still assume, the primary
responsibility of the lawmakers, not the Board’s.
B. AFFIRMATIONS.
On the other hand, I did oppose, and most strenuously:
1. The conspiracy by some parties to transfer the Ulli Beier
archives to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, situated in
Abeokuta, even though paid for with the funds of Osun State.
2. The recognition of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library as an
affiliate of UNESCO in any category, since that Library is a
product of fraud, extortion and corrupt diversion of a nation’s
resources. In this context, I collaborated with the late Gani
Fawehinmi and Femi Falana. Action was taken in the same spirit as
has continued to animate a number of Civic Organisations on the
continent to prevent international image laundering by African
leaders of questionable character, after losing credibility in
governance. This has included higher institutions of learning and
culture where millions were offered to endow chairs in their name.
3. Attempts by any other claimant to soil the name of CBCIU in
their projects, most especially those that involve soliciting funds
in the name of the Centre.
4. The appropriation of public resources for personal benefit, no
matter how thickly disguised, and by whatever tortuous devices –
including Certificates of Incorporation.
5. Oyinlola’s potted history of the origin of the Centre for Black
Culture and International Understanding is – as can only be
expected – a bundle of facts, lies, half-truths, irrelevances and
dislocated incidentals. He is absolutely right in one off-hand
remark however: an ancient stench from the centre has broken the
bounds of all attempted containment, a stench known as MONEY
LAUNDERING. The opposition by the CBCIU to the proposed conference
on GLOBALISATION is that its underlying agenda is the globalization
of this affliction on the wings of Culture. Hence my inclusion of
the Independent Corrupt Practices Commision Public Crimes, and the
new Itse Sagay led Advisory Commission on corruption, in the
distribution list of the text of my Press Conference.
Ultimately, the lawyers will have their day in court, and the Law
will have a final say. Until then however, the legitimate CBCIU, acting
as an entity, or simply as individuals and citizens, will continue to
educate the public on the ethical implications of seemingly public
spirited ventures, and frustrate efforts by any party to extend the
purlieu of fraudulent activities that drag that name – and the nation –
down to an undeserved level of international regard.
Finally, I advise Prince Oyinlola not to make a song and dance of
the ritual salute of “an officer and a gentleman”. Those who invented
that slogan had yet to encounter the special category of negations
within the Nigerian species!
Wole SOYINKA
3 women in the list of 21. This is ratio 1; 6 in favor of more of the men than the women or 14.2 % of the list.
