Soyinka, Dickson insist that Nigeria’s unity is negotiable; Nobel laureate meets Bayelsans
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) explaining a point to Prof. Wole Soyinka (right) during his 2 day visit to the State at the Governor’s Lodge, Government House, Yenagoa.
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (centre) introducing the Principal of the Ijaw National Academy, Prof. Charles Johnson (left) to Prof. Wole Soyinka (right) shortly on his arrival at the School to interact with the Students at Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the State.
Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (2nd right) interacting with Students of the Ijaw National Academy during ‘A Day With the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka’ (3rd left) and Ijaw Literary Icons, namely from left: Prof.Ebiegberi Alagoa, Dr.Gabriel Okara and Prof. John Pepper Clark
Soyinka at 83 Birthday cake: Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka (4th left) ably supported the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (3rd right) his wife, Rachael (right) the State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah rtd (2nd left) Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, King Alfred Diete-Spiff (3rd left) and Dr. Gabriel Okara (right) Jointly cutting the Prof. soyinak’s 83 years birthday cake during an interaction with Students of the Ijaw National Academy on his 2days visit to the State at Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, on Friday in Yenagoa, faulted arguments by some people that Nigeria should not be restructured.
According to him, while the country should not be left as it is, Nigeria is negotiable.
He said this in Yenagoa, during a colloquium with the theme: “A day with the Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka and Ijaw literary icons”, held at the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, Bayesla State, and moderated by renowned poet, Odia Ofeimun.
At the event which was also graced by other literary giants including Dr. Gabriel Okara, Prof Ebiegberi Alagoa and Prof John Pepper Clark, Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson said Nigeria’s unity is negotiable.
Soyinka asaid, “My response is simple. We must stop confusing and mixing up the argument, we are mixing up the argument. It is very unfortunate for our leaders to say that the question of breaking up or not breaking up should not arisen in the first place. It all sounds hypocritical, dogmatic and dictatorial. The statement is the unity of Nigeria is non negotiable, now that to me, is a falsititude.
“Anything is negotiable, the right for people to determine their future is what is non-negotiable. Most nations came to being through negotiation.
“Sometimes, when people say negotiate, what they really mean is restructuring. What the question should be: should Nigeria break up? My answer to that is no, but please don’t tell me that Nigeria, as it stands is non-negotiable. For me, this is a fallacy.
“The nation has got to be negotiated, negotiation includes ensuring that there is no marginalisation. Negotiation means control of resources, negotiation has to do with restructuring a nation in a way that the components and constituents are not feeding an over bloated centre to the detriment of their development. The language we should use is what are you willing to sacrifice? what effort are you willing to make to ensure Nigeria remains intact? That is the question.”
Also speaking, Dickson said while the unity of Nigeria is desirable and negotiable, aggrieved nationalities should sit down and dialogue.
“Nigeria’s unity is negotiable and desirable. The answer on whether to break up is no. There is a desire to stay as one. Ask questions about what is happening, there are several things to negotiate.
“If we can control our resources, we will do more for our people. All we need to do, is to talk about about existence, our living together. Let’s sit down and talk.”
