Nigeria’s Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, expressed his deep concern over the deteriorating state of social media in the country. He lamented that it has been reduced to the lowest level and taken over by what he referred to as “barbarians”.
Soyinka emphasized that in other parts of the world, social media remains a valuable platform for intellectual discourse and meaningful interactions among users.
However, he observed that in Nigeria, the situation is quite the opposite. The intellectual aspect of social media has been overshadowed by those who have dragged it down.
During the 48th President’s party and his induction as an honorary member of the esteemed Abeokuta Club in Ogun State, Soyinka highlighted how the situation has worsened to the point where a simple disagreement during elections can result in individuals being labeled with unfounded phobias on social media.
In the presence of the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, as well as numerous prominent Egba individuals, the renowned playwright called upon the nation’s intellectual community to rescue the country from the negative influence of social media.
He remarked, “It is disheartening to witness a situation where a mere disagreement during elections can lead to baseless accusations of ethnophobia on social media. Although it may seem strange to me, this is the unfortunate reality we have been reduced to. When faced with such accusations, there is no point in denying them. Instead, one should respond with gratitude and remind others that the opposite of ethnophobia is ethnophilia.”
I am amazed and astounded by the extent to which some individuals are obsessed with power, to the point where they cannot even entertain the possibility that they may not have won an election. Whether you are right or wrong, or they are right, it is simply a matter of inquiry. Present your facts, let us carefully examine them, and consider the possibility that either side may be mistaken. There is no need to resort to demonizing the opposing group in order to make your point.
I personally do not engage in social media. In my view, social media has been overrun by individuals lacking in intellectual capacity, which has diminished its value in other societies. Unfortunately, in this country, social media has been reduced to its lowest common denominator.
Nevertheless, I have faith in the collective intellect and creativity of individuals to rescue us from the monstrous state that social media has become in this country.
