Literary icon Professor Wole Soyinka in a statement released yesterday to media houses
said that while he may have publicly chastised First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, he has never referred to her as
an illiterate. He said his name is being falsely used to disrespect the first lady and will take legal action once he finds out the source of the lies. I recall him referring to Patience Jonathan as
that woman on his CNN interview with Amanpour though. Anyway, his statement reads in part below;
"It commenced over a year ago, I seem to recollect, as a telephone text,
'tweet' or whatever it is called, died away after strong rebuttals, and
is now being provided renewed life by some faceless cowards with their
own private agenda. Let me
state quite clearly that literacy is no indicator of intelligence, even
though we all believe (I hope) in universal literacy. From childhood I
have interacted with so-called "illiterate" men and women, sipped from
their innate intelligence, and learnt much from them outside formal
schooling"...
"Your readers may wish to know that when I first encountered the
statement, I was sufficiently appalled to send a personal message to
Patience Jonathan dissociating myself from such a base sentiment. The
associated commentary on the president's decisions - I have no idea
which decision, if any - is equally outrageous and disgusting. To
attribute to me the slightest interest in the choice of a spouse by man
or woman is a complete travesty of my near obsessive belief in the
sanctity of private relationships"
“Let me take this opportunity to announce yet again that I do not tweet,
blog or whatever goes on in this increasingly promiscuous medium. I do not run a Facebook, even though I am aware that one or
two serious-minded individuals/groups have instituted some such forum on
their own, for the purpose of disseminating factual information on my
activities. I neither contribute to, nor comment on the contents of
their "calendar".
On how the internet is being used to
disrespect people, Prof Soyinka said professional actions should be
taken to protect the integrity of the medium, and save it
from becoming “a mere vomitorium” for unprincipled scallywags who may or
may not have a particular axe to grind.
He said it indirectly, so he should stop bomberding us with english and accept the fact a beg....
ReplyDelete.
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***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***
So u can actually make sense eddreamz
DeleteI wish you'll just move to Jupiter already. Your lack of intelligence bemoans self-hatred. Attention-seeker
DeleteIdiocy is innate or acquired. Mr Dreamz how did you get your idiocy?
DeleteFear don catch professor,abeg make una leave mama peace alone
ReplyDeleteYou have no sense of History to say the venerable prof is afraid. Soyinka stood against Nigeria for Biafra and went to jail for it. Go and read okay!
DeleteFear of what precisely? Don't be foolish!!
DeleteThank you, learnt new words. Lol
ReplyDeleteOn CNN soyinka never insulted the first lady or any any remmark else where. so soyinka haters should visit the lions den
ReplyDeleteIn Patrick obahiagbon voice "Catalypistic nepotism, political parapoyism
ReplyDeleteLike who cares?
ReplyDeleteFag. Must u comment ?
DeleteWell ! If u say so sire
ReplyDeleteShe remains an illetrate
#Pesty
Go to hell, u fool..
DeleteU are d fool!!
DeleteShe doesn't speak like an educated person.. Our first lady cnt speak eng fluently d truth nid to b told
Anon 2:07 You are d great retarded fool
DeleteIsn't dat what she is???? Mumu.. pesty I gt ur bak don't mind dis nuisance
An illetrate is what she is.. So anonymous go to hell
DeleteWhy all the fuss? Have you picked a dictionary lately? She's an illiterate in every context of the word. That she's been a public figure years before she became the first lady only establishes the fact and she must be too proud and not one to take corrections. I'm sure she runs this country cos if our president had a sperm of manhood in him he should have instructed her to take some private classes esp in poise I mean he was even a lecturer for Christ's sake
DeleteAnonymous .. U are d fool here!
Deletein Nigeria people take advantage of situations to fight their own malicious course. i also agree that being literate or illiterate is different from intelligence and wisdom. thank you Soyinka for not allowing these malicious APC follow-follow hide behind u to shine their stupidity.
ReplyDeleteThe social media seems to be feeding off negativity. It's indeed an increasingly promiscuous medium. You'll be amazed nothing and no one is sacred to these faceless mean machines especially those disguising as anonymous. Even among comments here you'll be sure to find those disparaging a reputable man like the Prof Wole Soyinka for stating his honest opinion.
DeleteHope madam don hear? Abi someone need to read this again and interpret it for mama peace. ⌣̊┈̥-̶̯͡»̶̥♡thanks ⌣̊┈̥-̶̯͡»̶̥
ReplyDeleteDat was rude o! Haba! She is old enough to be your mum. She is educated just has a bad command of the english language. Have you heard graduates/undergraduates speak these days? A lot of people who had to attend schools in their immediate environment(eg an igbo man school all thru in the east and swore not to speak english in school will definately have the same problem as mama peace). God chooses who to bless and God has made her the first lady. Period. Otu aram na onu o!
Delete@anon 2.01 I'm sure you'll be proud to point her out amidst a table of first ladies to make a speech on behalf of your country. That said, I think instead of embarrassing herself and nation with her market woman grade 0 standard English, she should rather adopt her dialect as her official language with an interpreter whenever she has to conduct a speech. Cos frankly when she opens her mouth we literally run out on patience.
DeleteAnon 4.04.. close ya silly mouth. . Im sooo sure ur mum didn't see the four walls of a university. . Go to hell. Atleast shes berra dan u.. av ur mum eva spoken in public or is she evn a public figure. . Mtchew
DeleteBlah blah blah, wat is he saying? I beg park well.
ReplyDeleteSeriously? You do realise this is someone old enough to he your grand father and more intelligent and accomplished than your past present and future generations. I'm sure you joke but pls let's give respect to whom it's due.
DeleteThe truth is This woman's problem is not about going to school or illiteracy ..she has being in this system long enough for some POISE to rub off on her..and Yes she is not intelligent and I guess probably too proud to learn or take to correction. My mother is not education or rich as the first lady neither has she mingle with the elites as much as The First lady but she is much more better..infact from us n her mixing up with people..she speaks fine English you wouldn't even know she didn't go to a formal school...so she should just stop embarrassing the whole country..if she can't speak english..she should speak her local dailet with good n poised attitude @least lots of countries don't speak English and they gets to be interpreted...#MyLiLPiece
DeleteThat's right Mr Soyinka its called a private agenda that's αℓℓ.
ReplyDeleteMedicine after Death.. Mwtshwww...
ReplyDeleteSo becos he said dat women wat happened linda
ReplyDeleteHmmm! Still tryin to digest the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteWell said prof! "A mere vomitorium",I think Abati,FFK,El-Rufai and co should check that word
ReplyDeleteBEFORE GOD MADE THE WORLD...HE KNEW THAT THERE WILL BE LEADERS WE WILL NOT LIKE....YET HE STILL SAID WE SHOULD HONOUR THEM.
ReplyDeleteHE KNEW THAT THERE WILL BE FATHERS AND MOTHERS WHO MAY NOT DO SO WELL YET HE STLL ASKED US TO HONOUR THEM....
GOD IS THE ALL WISE GOD.
Lol mama peace n wole soyinka's drama part 2, pls Linda have u heard dat Kim kardarshian's wedding gown is worth 2million usd
ReplyDeleteJust passing By..
ReplyDeleteYes, he never did. It was just the creation of some opposition politicians trying to use Soyinka's name to score cheap political points.
ReplyDeleteSincerly linda I no understand this grammer,I go school oh but this english is too confusing,I no know how I wan take talk put for this matter now,but I sure say wole shoyinka talk true.thank u
ReplyDeleteE be like say na night school u go.
DeleteNever heard him call her illiterate even during the Rivers state ish and his interview with Amanpour.
ReplyDelete~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA LUMIA
Nobody is perfect,@ one time or d other people speak vocabs sum break down,sum try harded 2 express their selves all in d name of Englishish but as long as d other person can understand u dts what matters *fashionista LeOnOrA*
ReplyDelete"ENGLISHISH"mama peace,is dat u again????hian!
Delete"ENGLISHISH,HARDED,THEIRSELVES"mama peace,is dat u again????hian!
DeleteWhat's the need of hiding the truth? Baba did not lie! That woman is an educated illiterate! I pity GEJ because its so shameful to have this kind of woman as a wife!
ReplyDeleteEwu ! See your #250# weavon u are putting on. As if you are any better. U left the real name your parents gave you and ur answering a fake name.. Nkita..
DeleteWat is shameful abt having an educated illiterate as a wife, is dat now da criteria for marriage well I pity u cuz da likes of u will neva be a councilors wife talk more of a gov's wife or president's wife. Wat we need is education and wisdom to back it up u hear ko.#fromdatnorthernbabe.
DeleteHahahaha.. U finished the girl Steve.. U harsh oo
DeleteI have never liked him (pro wole Soyinka) if he has a way of changing the face of things in his beloved country. He should institute it and stop insulting Nigerians by directly or indirectly insulting the first lady in whatsoever manner. Remember, as Africans when you insult any man's wife you are also insulting the man and Nigerians will not continue to take that from Soyinka for too long. He used to be so respected but unconsciously, he's losing it. There's a saying in Yoruba, eku ile lo ma mu ewe moi moi de ita ki eku ita to gba. You are an old man so respect your old age sir.
ReplyDeleteGodwin Koko, u sum up everything that is wrong with Nigerian plebians. Shall we see a spade and call it a big spoon, all in the name of respect? Even when that "respected" party is stealing u and I blind? Soyinka reputation has not diminished one bit!
Delete#Seriously after reading dis article! I had knw idea wat wole was takin abt,jes big big grama! Linda tnkz 4 givin us a sub heading#
ReplyDeleteMr Soyinka is a coward for denying it. Since ,Gov Rotimi Ameachi impregnated his daughter he's been confused.
ReplyDeleteHe keep putting himself on d political spotlight in the platform of a useless group in APC.
Mr Soyinka. I think the open letter from the Abachas sums up your stupidity.
Tamuno, u r a retard.
DeleteTamuno or whatever your name is, if it's true we're what we say then I don't expect you to look anything less than a dick cos that what you are. Even your father dares not call prof Soyinka stupid, do you even respect your parents at home at all?
DeletePls they should leave my Prof alone o!
ReplyDeleteTruthfulness pays!
All we are saying is stop all dis grammer and bring back our girls
ReplyDelete##################GOD#################################punish##################################devil#######
I still have a long way to go unto vocabulary. Na this be grammar. Even if u no understand am belle go just de sweet you. Immagine say na this man be president. E grammar go confuse boko haram. Maybe where them de check dictionary for bush sodiers go just catch them.
ReplyDeleteLol
DeleteLinda, is referring to Patience Jonathan as that woman the same as calling her an illiterate? Please don't use your increasingly 'promiscuous medium' to confuse us!
ReplyDeleteAnd how are you sure Linda herself is not confused? She did not get it right na. Hence her words.
DeleteProf is showing some Patrick Ohiagbon (hope I spelt his name right) tendencies
ReplyDeleteHmmmm,I hope so.
ReplyDeleteGrammer everywhere...ok sir
ReplyDeleteI watched d interview oh he never mentioned illiterate, he just said 'i dnt want to talk about that woman that calls herself a first lady'....
ReplyDeleteif you didnt call her what she is then what is she ?
ReplyDeleteNob small oyinbo dis man de blow for hia o. Hahaha. Too much book de bring confusion sha. Diaris God oooo
ReplyDeleteif you didnt call her what she is then what is she ?
ReplyDeleteNice reply 4 all d bad belle people trying to cause problems 4 my proff.
ReplyDeleteIs she not that woman?
ReplyDeleteYeah am with you Prof !! on the vomitorium bit and the hijacking of social media by unprincipled scalywags, Whatever that means. ha ha
ReplyDeleteloooool! can't even understand some of his words...mtchewwww....old man abeg go siddon joor.
ReplyDeleteGo back to school, Patience.
DeleteLol...shot at gumsu
ReplyDeleteAll i read here is big..big grammar..! Choi ! This man is too much.
ReplyDeleteAll i read here is big..big grammar..! Choi ! This man is too much.
ReplyDeleteI believe u jare u owe nobody an apology do ur thing and leave dem let dem say
ReplyDeletei dont understand you Sir.
ReplyDeleteshe is an illiterate, isn't she?
Soyinka said her actions are irractional. Literate people do irrational things too.
She is illiterate and irrational. How is that a false statement...
Oyibo ka ina asu. All we know be say u no regard the woman at all
ReplyDeleteLinda don't be such a retard ! He didn't say he didn't call her that woman just that he didn't can her an illiterate. I may not like someone but that dosent mean people should start saying things I didn't say.
ReplyDeleteAnony. Ur head is there. U go school. No mind confused linda.. Wole don use big grammar confuse her
DeleteLinda you are a big mumu o, is that woman the same as calling someone an illiterate?
ReplyDeleteHe is trying to say that calling that woman an illiterate will be an insult to illiterate. One can be uneducated but intelligent unlike Sheppo
ReplyDeleteSoyinka has a point there...I think it's the first lady that has been misquoting his words...come to think of it, He was only trying to advise her on how to express herslf fluently in public...if the first lady has been seeing it as soyinka calling him an illiterate then I suggest that she should go for 1 year intensive learning under wole soyinka's tetulage
ReplyDeletePHOTOS: Lady Goes Nak3d Completely In A Pool Party
My guy don dey fear....lmao
ReplyDeleteDady abeg I bend down de beg u no vex.thats what we see in social media dis days,is now a childs play ground.BRAVEHENRY
ReplyDeleteI stopped respecting Wolf Soy ink a d day I watched his interview on can concerning d abducted girls and he was asked abt d first lady, he said, I don't want to talk about that woman.... smh for him
ReplyDeleteWhat did you expect his to say? You just wanted another thing to gist about and he disappointed you, sorry but the world respects him so who da hell are you again?
Deletegrammar don do... That woman is different from ''That uneducated woman ....... ...BLEX...
ReplyDeleteHE MENTIONED AXE...OLD SAILOR NEVER DIE
ReplyDeletePatrick Ogbahigbon has being put on blast!!! This how you communicate with big words, not making noise and calling it English. On the issue of social medium, I agree, twitter is one sh*t hole of a**holes.
ReplyDeleteLinda, pls stop paying attention such intectual holigans like wole soyinka whose only contribution to nigeria is destructive criticism., and pull him down syndrom. Nigerians are tired of expired ideologies of wole soyinka who should retire till death. Imagin calling his first lady 'that woman'. Huh it stinks. Tot he should know better.
ReplyDeleteWole Soyinka communicates way above ur level, hence ur lack of comprehension. Scallywag!
DeleteThe problems with fighting with idiots is they drag you down to their level. I agree he should have known better but let's point out the facts. He's a professor not a politician. That he's an intellectual doesnt mean we should expect him to be appointed the CBN governor either. He has every reason to complain of our bad governance.
Deleteilliterate or not does it stop her being first lady or stop B/haram for bombing? Next pls!! you enemies shuld packe one side. Any silly mistake pipo wil carry it for head as if they re above mistake. Let first lady rest for once in dz country nobdy iss above mistake for Godsake.
ReplyDelete....CYNTHIA....commenting from my TOYOTA CRICKET
Behold the emissions on the parameters of the innuendos from the contemporary aristocrat. #runsaway#
ReplyDeleteLmao.You be yansh.
DeleteLol
DeleteListen, dear all, calling or referring to anyone, talk less the living spouse of the President of Nigeria as "That woman" in the context we all witnessed is derogatory in every circumstance. Tell me, who can refer to his mother as 'that woman'? I doubt if anyone will ever make such an utterance because it is dishonorable. In my final year in secondary school, I was making a speech before members of our literary and debating society and refered to our English teacher as 'that fellow' when I was introducing her and crediting her for her great work as a teacher. She did not show her offence but called me and corrected me. Anyway, our 'big men' should learn to apologize, opari!
ReplyDeleteCalling a woman, man, boy or girl,"that" is derogatory. I watched the interview and I have a lot of respect for Professor Soyinka BUT i do not think it's wise to address the office of the First Lady as "that woman", to me, that was disrespectful. It is a good thing that he reached out to her, am sure he apologized but in my opinion, milk has been spilled on national television right in the eyes of the world. I love Patience Jonathan, she might not be articulate in the English language but I think she has wisdom.
DeleteCalling a woman, man, boy or girl,"that" is derogatory. I watched the interview and I have a lot of respect for Professor Soyinka BUT i do not think it's wise to address the office of the First Lady as "that woman", to me, that was disrespectful. It is a good thing that he reached out to her, am sure he apologized but in my opinion, milk has been spilled on national television right in the eyes of the world. I love Patience Jonathan, she might not be articulate in the English language but I think she has wisdom.
DeleteHe shd relax joor he. Insinuated it. And on d oda hand,Patience Jonathan is an MSc graduate and its not an honourary award so y'all shd accord sm respect. Not likeim a fan self...
ReplyDelete~D great anonymous!
Patience Jonathan has an MSc.? I hope u r joking! Otherwise, I'll burn my certificate!
Deleteilliterate or not does it stop her being first lady or stop B/haram for bombing? Next pls!! you enemies shuld packe one side. Any silly mistake pipo wil carry it for head as if they re above mistake. Let first lady rest for once in dz country nobdy iss above mistake for Godsake.
ReplyDelete....CYNTHIA....commenting from my TOYOTA CRICKET
hmmmn.... well said
ReplyDeleteCHAKPiiii!!!...WOOOO!!!
ReplyDeleteAbeg Park well, You had the gots to insult my President's Wife, I have no regard for you any more
ReplyDeleteSir/ Madam.. It's spelt guts..
DeleteLiterate or iilitrate, intellegency or dormy........ Dairiz God oooO!!!! Chai!!
ReplyDeleteand wat if he does? enough of dis rujbbish abeg mr Oga wole u dey fear mama peace ni? nways stil on d mata make una bring back our girls
ReplyDeleteY'all shud shut up...shey mama peace no b woman ni,abi soyinka shud ave refer 2 her as THAT MAN???
ReplyDeleteWole Soyinka is an honourable man.
ReplyDeleteThe Noble Laureate has spoken!
ReplyDeleteIf he did -ehen ?did he lie , this is the problem with us, I believe if you do not have the galls to speak the truth regardless, then you have no right to be called a patriot ! and Wole Soyinka is certainly very bit a Patriot !
ReplyDeleteMe too did not say baba killd ken saro wiwa
ReplyDeleteAfter watching that interview ,l lost all respect for Mr Soyinka . I could not believe it when l heard him refer to my First Lady as that woman. That made me understood why I hv never heard of mrs Soyinka . He has no respect for women- amaka
ReplyDeleteAfter watching that interview ,l lost all respect for Mr Soyinka . I could not believe it when l heard him refer to my First Lady as that woman. That made me understood why I hv never heard of mrs Soyinka . He has no respect for women- amaka
ReplyDeleteChoi, oyinbo too much oo
ReplyDeleteIs she not woman before., even if they call her that women Wetin dey there... that dame patience joe
ReplyDeleteLInda stop igniting acts of discord. The issue being discussed is whether or not the first lady was referred to as an "illiterate" by Soyinka. Who asked you if you heard him call her "that woman" during an interview? You could have learned your voice as Onyeka Onwenu did on a separate platform and not take undue advantage of this present situation by putting your unsolicited view on the headline.
ReplyDeleteEkete. Lol. Grammar no easy. Soyinka abeg oh Pepe no go fit understand all dis ur grammar. Na simple apology u for just render. Lol
ReplyDeleteIT IS FINALLY CLEAR THAT THERE WON'T BE AND THERE IS/WAS NO HOPE FOR THIS COUNTRY, NONE AT ALL FOR PEOPLE TO OPENLY DEMONIZE PROF WOLE SOYINKA IN PUBLIC AND EVEN ON THIS VERY BLOG THAT MEANS A LOT. ITS THROUGHLY DISAPPOINTING AND SADDENING TO SEE THESE DISMISSIVE COMMENTS FROM A NOT SO RANDOM SELECTION OF NIGERIANS COMPLAINING ABOUT HIS VERY COMMENDABLE AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION USING ALMOST BASIC ENGLISH LANGUAGE. A COUNTRY THAT CONTINUES TO PRODUCE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF GRADUATES IN THE BLACK RACE AND QUITE POTENTIALLY THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD SHOULD HAS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO BE THIS LEVEL OF DECAY. WE ACTUALLY NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE HIM TO APPLY LOGIC TO THE CURRENT HORRIBLE STATE OF THIS COUNTRY.
ReplyDeleteFROM TODAY, I CEASE TO DISAGREE WITH THE FELLOW THAT ALWAYS SAID NIGERIA IS A CIRCUS OF THE WISEST FOOLS.
Wot I hv 2 say Chai ! Chai! There is God ooooooooooooooo pls bring bck our girls
ReplyDeleteAnd I qoute u here tru ur media chat wit amampour...I don't want to talk about that one that call her self first lady,well am never a fan to Jonathan administration,but we shld respect the office of the presidency,can u say such to queen of England ? Or thir prime minister,I don't blame u anyway is OBJ that put us in this mess,u went on global media labishing ur own ? Illiterate is even better that using that calamity language,may GOD help us one nigeria
ReplyDeleteabeg prof, grammar to much oo. pls piece am to my level.
ReplyDeleteHe should apologise even if he said it indirectly with contradictory and confusing grammar. Mama Peace is our 1st lady and should be accorded some respect.
ReplyDelete........ Atutu said so
Soyinka don't let APC turn you to a tout you hear?
ReplyDeleteWho cares !but you keep insulting her reputation as first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. .....
ReplyDeleteWho cares !but you keep insulting her reputation as first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. .....
ReplyDelete@CHIKA.. u ar very foolish.. lemme see who wil marry u.. shes 100 times berra dan ur mum.. its nt abt English my dear.. get a life
ReplyDelete@Tamuno, for calling Professor Wole Soyinka stupid, your days will be short. Mark my words.
ReplyDeleteOmo....dis man grama pass d knock out wey dis boys dey tro every wr ooo.......I don confuse sha!!
ReplyDeleteHggggg
ReplyDeleteI love this man
ReplyDeleteWole Soyinka fought endlessly for our Democracy an he wrote us a long Autobiography Essay! An we luv it...Does d first lady has to be Educated b4 being heard , afterall she has attain to d highest heights!
ReplyDeletePlease why is Soyinka in Nigeria..... ? He should have joined Queen Elisabeth and leave us alone..... Even most American Celebrities can not speak big bug grammar but they are never scorned nor mocked.
ReplyDeleteMost people dat did well in life did not study Literature story telling.
Addressing De first lady he saw with his eye glass as dat Woman was bad and disrespectful.... Most German men I worked with do not speak as Good as our first lady but they as still paid heavily our oil money.
Pls Our first should even maintain broken inglish within and outside Nigeria.... If u don't understand buy a subtitled cable TV version.
He has said it all. Read and see who he refers to,,,,,,,,,,
ReplyDeleteSome People just make BLAND comments and Linda, i wonder why u post them. @edDREAMZ said Wole Soyinka said it indirectly. that's slander. INDIRECTLY? how does one call the other an illiterate indirectly? mention his exact words to prove its an indirect meaning for calling the 1st Lady an Illitrate! and LAZY READER: fear no catch anybody. Wole Soyinka has seen more battles in his past than you know off. if you were not born when he fought for Nigeria's democracy against the likes of Abacha and Babangida, then, stop being a LAZY READER and pick up historical books from a library.
ReplyDeleteMy Opinion: Wole Soyinka is doing what's honorable to exonerate himself from slanderers. shikenna!!! Linda, you have a very successful blog running.(I'm a fan)your topics cuts across politics, gossips, fun, entertainment and all. lets scrutinize comments where serious political or governmental issues are discussed. i.e some pips even make annoying comments and jokes over a matter as serious as the #Bringbackourgirls campaign. Haba!
I tot he's a real man. Y is he scared of accepting dat he said it
ReplyDelete