Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Friday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, said Nigerians must be involved in the transformation of the country from its depressing state to a paradise.
Soyinka made the call at the 16th Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture, with the theme: “Ethical Deficit, Corruption of Nation Building in the 21st Century.”
He said: “We must join hands to transform the condition of the nation from bleak to bliss by not mere overhauling but by a drastic, fundamental transformation of the system.
“When all the impediments to self fulfillment, economic contradictions, social disparities, marginalisation, unemployment and policies of alienation have been admitted into calculations of cause and effect, we are still left with one incredible factor: fanaticism.”
Soyinka said that some of the solutions fall within the responsibility and capability of individuals and groups adding that everyone should resolve what role to play in transforming the society.
The Chairman of the occasion, Udom Inoyo, the Executive Director of Mobil Producing Nigeria, called on Nigerians to make a collective commitment to the rebirth of values.
Inoyo said: “Nigerians who are sincere with their hearts will attest to the fact that corruption has become Nigeria’s Lingua Franca.”
Quoting The Guardian newspaper, he said the political leadership is often blamed for the erosion of societal values.
“Perhaps with some justification, the millions of very hardworking and committed Nigerians in all walks of life can be a force for positive change,” Inoyo said.
Paul Ubom, Uyo-based legal practitioner, said the problem of the nation was mainly that of leadership.
Ubom maintained that every citizen of the must start with his or herself to make a change.
Dr. Ndubisi Osuagwu, a lecturer in the University of Calabar, said that ethical re-orientation must start from the top.
Osuagwu noted that leaders must start from themselves to show good example for their followers.
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