Prof Wole Soyinka's show of shame/ Prof Soyinka's silly show

Our attention has been drawn to a publication titled: "Isese: You're neither omniscient nor omnipotent, Soyinka tells Emir of Ilorin" authored by Prof Wole Soyinka which appeared on The Punch Newspaper of 6th July, 2023.

Ordinarily, one  ought not to have write a rejoinder on show of shame displayed in the publication under reference by the highly respected professor worldwide; but this rejoinder however became imperative aimed at correcting the wrong and dangerous impression as contained in the publication under reference in the mind of the reading public against the Emir, the peace-loving people of the Emirate, Nigerians and Worldwide.

The rejoinder is also meant to educate the professor and his allays who for the first time in our opinion behaved like an educated illiterate over the issue of Ilorin Emirate practice, tradition and culture which became our hard-earned heritage for decades.

To say the least, the publication is mischievous, malicious and provocative though one understands that the professor is neither a Christian nor a Muslim known for his paganism position on matters of this nature.

Soyinka behaved like educated illiterate in our own opinion because he cannot distinguish between the title of Obas and the Emirs; or he mischievously forget how Ilorin emerges under the leadership of the Emir. We quickly want to remind him of Jihad War which resulted to creation of Emirship and Emirate.

One thought that an imphant or lesser educated person talkless of a so-called professor will realise that an Emir is tantamount to Amirul-Mumini and is expected to carry the flag of Islam day and night, come rain and sun; hence, he is being referred to as Emir.

For the purpose of emphasis, one may quickly want to remind Professor Woke Soyinka that Ilorin and indeed Kwara State is the most peaceful state in Nigeria. Hence, Ilorin Emirate is very accommodating, friendly and peace-loving.

A visit to Ilorin shows that Ilorin Community and indeed Ilorin Emirate accommodates all sorts of tribes and religions; but will not accept anything that will adulterate their own cultural and religious practice.

Record shows that even the Civil War including Agbekoya, Ilorin is very accommodative as no tribe or religions was discriminated against during the trying period.

Today, no single news of Boko Haram or serious religious crisis is recorded by the law enforcement agents. Ilorin Community is 100 per cent Muslim, co-habiting peacefully with other religious fates under the able leadership of our Emir, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, CFR, we advise Prof. Wole Soyinka to stop behaving like 'Prophet of Doom' and stop insulting our Emir as contained in the  offensive publication as per the case  of Iya Osun, Yeye Ajesikemi Omolara.

We wish to inform the general public that the land Ajesikemi erected her building belong to Ilorin Community for years and Ilorin Community is not contemplating to takeover the land or the house from her nor eject her.

Allover the World, it is believed that countries, nations, communities has their own religions, culture and tradition and settlers who wants to live there-in must abide with their culture and tradition.

People who stays in Diaspora and any part of Nigeria should learn to respect their culture and tradition.

You should remember an adage that says: "when you (Prof Soyinka) are in Rome, you do like the Romans."

Also note that a former governor in Rivers State demolished a Mosque because it is not part of their culture/tradition. Where is Whole Soyinka then?

Finally, a Professor of any field or specialisation is expected to be a role model by possessing a sound quality of respect to the constituted authority particularly traditional institutions in this country is sad to observe the entire Ilorin Community has been disappointed over insultive language and unjustifiable attack on the Emir if Ilorin by the embattled Prof. Woke Soyinka who instead of visiting the Emir to find out from people of Ilorin, he unreasonably jumped into conclusion and sadly engage himself in the use of  gutter language directed to the Monarch of Ilorin rather than commending the Emir for defending what one can describe as total breakdown of law and order. it is hope that Prof Soyinka will tarry a while in matter of this nature in future before rushing to the press.

A word is enough for a wise!

signed:

Alhaji (Dr.) Saliu Woru Mohammed

(Magaji Nda of Ilorin)