Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, expressed his concern over the deteriorating state of social media in Nigeria, stating that it has been overrun by what he termed “barbarians.”
While acknowledging the continued validity of social media for interaction in other parts of the world, Soyinka lamented its descent to the “lowest common denominator” in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 48th President’s party and his investiture as an honorary member of the Abeokuta Club in Ogun State, Soyinka highlighted the intellectual content and reasoned engagements that characterize social media in other countries, contrasting this with its present state in Nigeria.
He noted instances where a mere disagreement during elections could lead to individuals being labeled negatively on social media.
Soyinka urged the intellectual community in Nigeria to rescue the country from the current state of social media, emphasizing the need for reasoned discussions and a return to the intellectual quotient that once defined the platform.
He expressed disbelief at the power-driven nature of individuals who struggle to accept election outcomes, stressing the importance of constructive dialogue rather than demonizing opposing groups.
“In a situation where disagreement in an election can lead one being labelled something phobia or whatever.
“The social media is awash with accusations of one being a kind of ethnophobic. So strange to me but that is what we have been reduced to. And when that kind of accusation comes, there is no need or value in trying to say you are not. You just say, ‘Thank you very much! The complement of ethnophobia is ethnophilia.
“I’m astonished and flabbergasted that people are so power-besotted that they can’t even accept the possibility that they did not win an election. It does not matter whether you are right or wrong or they are right. It is just a question. Take your facts to the table, let’s examine them carefully, consider the possibility that we may be wrong or you may be wrong but you don’t have to descend into demonisation of the group to which others belong to establish your point.
“I don’t deal in social media. As far as I’m concerned, barbarians have taken over social media and they have swapped the intellectual quotient which used to make and still make social media valid in other societies. Here in this country, social media has been dragged down to the lowest common denominator.
“However, I believe in the community of the intellect of minds and creativity to rescue us from the monstrosity that social media has become (in this country).”
Ada Peter
