Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, on Tuesday took a
swipe at former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, for taking
his desperation over the chairmanship of the Centre for Black Culture and
International Understanding, CBCIU, to the point of injuring the integrity of
Nigeria in the international community.
Soyinka also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to call
Oyinlola to order and stop him from continuing with the alleged culture of
impunity by claiming the position of Chairman of the board of the centre, is
located in Oshogbo, the Osun State capital, even when the law establishing the
centre had eased him out.
Oyinlola to order and stop him from continuing with the alleged culture of
impunity by claiming the position of Chairman of the board of the centre, is
located in Oshogbo, the Osun State capital, even when the law establishing the
centre had eased him out.
According to Soyinka, who spoke at a press conference in
Lagos, Oyinlola had not only continued to lay claim to the position of chairman
of the board, he has been travelling across the globe, aided by Nigeria’s
former representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation, Dr. Michael Omolewa, soliciting for and receiving
donations and funds on behalf of the centre.
Lagos, Oyinlola had not only continued to lay claim to the position of chairman
of the board, he has been travelling across the globe, aided by Nigeria’s
former representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation, Dr. Michael Omolewa, soliciting for and receiving
donations and funds on behalf of the centre.
Soyinka, who is the chairman of the centre, wondered why
Oyinlola could become so desperate to the extent of shunning the amended law
setting up the centre.
Oyinlola could become so desperate to the extent of shunning the amended law
setting up the centre.
“One way to summarise the situation of the Centre for Black
Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU) at this moment requires no deep
elaboration. It goes thus: there is a law, and there are ethics. Wherever these
two arbiters of public conducts appear to clash, even ethics must bow to law.
Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU) at this moment requires no deep
elaboration. It goes thus: there is a law, and there are ethics. Wherever these
two arbiters of public conducts appear to clash, even ethics must bow to law.
“On the other hand, it is useful to remember also that the
sinews that bind civilised society together are strengthened when both -law and
ethics -converge, and are harmonised in a public cause.
sinews that bind civilised society together are strengthened when both -law and
ethics -converge, and are harmonised in a public cause.
“To come down to the specifics of CBCIU, I require no
convincing that this ideal harmonisation was manifested when the lawmakers of
Osun State enacted, in 2012, an amendment to the original CBCIU law that had
been signed into law by Governor Oyinlola on 29th December, 2008. The original
law, in my view, was profoundly unethical.
convincing that this ideal harmonisation was manifested when the lawmakers of
Osun State enacted, in 2012, an amendment to the original CBCIU law that had
been signed into law by Governor Oyinlola on 29th December, 2008. The original
law, in my view, was profoundly unethical.
“The amendment by the succeeding House of Assembly, signed
into law on the 31st day of July, 2012, was clearly designed to inject an
ethical corrective into the law,” Soyinka said adding that even lawyers have
said the amendment supersedes the original law.
into law on the 31st day of July, 2012, was clearly designed to inject an
ethical corrective into the law,” Soyinka said adding that even lawyers have
said the amendment supersedes the original law.
“No court judgement exists that voids a single provision of
this law – including the setting up of a new board – or its entirety. It is important
that this nation, and the entire world of culture and ethical pursuit
understand this.
this law – including the setting up of a new board – or its entirety. It is important
that this nation, and the entire world of culture and ethical pursuit
understand this.
“Contrary to whatever has been propagated so assiduously by
some parties of interest in various quarters, no court order exists that
prevents the Board that was established under the 2012 amendment from
exercising its rights and responsibilities.
some parties of interest in various quarters, no court order exists that
prevents the Board that was established under the 2012 amendment from
exercising its rights and responsibilities.
“No court order exists that compels the governor or House of
Assembly to reisntate the former Board Chairman of 2008.
Assembly to reisntate the former Board Chairman of 2008.
“No relief has been granted to the ex-governor Olagunsoye
Oyinlola, that authorises him to present himself to the nation and the world as
the substantive chairman of the CBCIU (or ‘Emeritus Chairman’ – among other
titles that he has since accorded himself.),” he said adding that this was the
position and understanding of the state government’s legal department.
Oyinlola, that authorises him to present himself to the nation and the world as
the substantive chairman of the CBCIU (or ‘Emeritus Chairman’ – among other
titles that he has since accorded himself.),” he said adding that this was the
position and understanding of the state government’s legal department.
“If these experts are proven wrong, then the current board
will bow out without one second’s delay, led by its current chairman. It will
most gladly hand over all CBCIU effects in its possession and even tender a
public apology to the ex-governor, his ‘board members’, his campaign team and
indeed any other interested parties,” Soyinka added.
will bow out without one second’s delay, led by its current chairman. It will
most gladly hand over all CBCIU effects in its possession and even tender a
public apology to the ex-governor, his ‘board members’, his campaign team and
indeed any other interested parties,” Soyinka added.
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