…says he’ll add award to late Beko Kuti’s honour, hand it over to his family
NIGERIA: Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has faced significant criticism from Nigerians, including prominent figures like Charly Boy, for accepting a national honour from President Bola Tinubu, despite rejecting a similar award from former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.
In an interview with Channels TV’s Seun Okinbaloye, Soyinka addressed the controversy, offering a nuanced explanation about his principles and the context of his decisions to accept a national honour presented by Tinubu on Democracy day.
The backlash stems from Soyinka’s decision to accept the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) from Tinubu, a stark contrast to his rejection of the Centenary Award under Jonathan. Critics, including Charly Boy, have accused him of inconsistency, questioning his stance on national honours and their political implications.
Soyinka’s interview, part of the “Sunday Politics” programme, provides insight into his reasoning, challenging the narrative of hypocrisy.
In the interview, Soyinka recounts a past incident where he was “ambushed” with an honour at the airport, a situation he felt compelled to accept due to the circumstances.
“I did not reject it. I was ambushed, had no option. I accepted it, remember,” he explains, referring to a previous award. He elaborates on the strategic use of such honours, noting, “There’s one day when you can’t throw it back. Can use as a weapon.” This perspective suggests a pragmatic approach, where honours can be leveraged for greater impact, a point that has sparked debate about the ethics of acceptance.
Soyinka’s comments also touch on a dramatic moment of protest, where he discarded a national honour in public. “I took it out and threw it on the ground and spat on it,” he recalls, a gesture of defiance during a match from Surulere to Tafawa Balewa Square. This act, he explains, was a response to perceived injustices.
However, his recent acceptance has led some to question whether such principles still hold.
On what he will do with the award, he stated that “I think I will add it to Beko’s (Ransom Kuti) posthumous award, and give it to his family.”
