Don’t support failed politicians, Soyinka warns youths

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has urged Nigerian youths to mobilise themselves ahead of the 2019 general elections, saying they should desist from supporting leaders who meted untold hardship on the masses.

Soyinka disclosed this to journalists yesterday after delivering the second convocation lecture of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, titled:”Tending the tree of commencement.”

He reiterated the need for patriotism and intellectual capacity among Nigerians, using trees as metaphors for enduring and sustainable development from one generation to another.

The Nobel Prize winner, who devoted the lecture as tribute to South Africa’s Winnie Mandela and Leah Shuaibu, noted that the qualities of the duo exemplified the qualities required for nation-building.

He identified the menace of Boko Haram, herdsmen and cattle rustlers as emerging threats to the development of the nation, describing them as egregious ills militating against the prosperity of the society and sanctity of human lives.

Soyinka lamented the expurgation of history from the school curriculum and syllabus, explaining that the ignorance of history has dissipated the spirit of statesmanship and patriotism, especially among the youths.

On the clamour for youths take-over of government in the next election, he warned the youths of the costly mistakes of supporting leaders who were part of the nation’s diverse problems.

“All I can just tell you is this, don’t make the mistake of following those who failed you before; those who are pretending that they have nothing to do with the disaster that has overtaken Nigeria.’’

The Chairman of the occasion and former Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Ayo Banjo, said there is need to pay attention to the training and welfare of teachers in the country.

Meanwhile, the Registrar of the university, Mr. Omololu Adegbenro, had disclosed that the institution would offer her First Class graduates automatic employment.

This, he said, was in pursuance of the vision of the proprietor, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, to further improve on the quality and standard of the nation’s education.

The university, which has a total of 1121 students, has 31 programmes in 13 faculties.

He disclosed that the institution would graduate 105 students today amongst which are 16 First Class, 50 Second Class and 39 Second Class Lower graduates. automatic employment.