Nobel
Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has observed that mental and
spiritual slavery still exist in some parts of the world, including
Nigeria, as some religious leaders are determined to enslave others
rather than preach the gospel that appeal through the minds.
Soyinka
made the observation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday, at the
public presentation of a book ‘’He Dared: The story of Okuku Udo
Akpabio, the Great Colonial African Ruler,” written by Offonmbuck
Akpabio, held at the Le’Meridien Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort.
“In
this country today, there are some people who are determined to enslave
us mentally and spiritually. It is not sufficient for them to preach
the gospel and appeal to us through our minds,” he maintained.
According
to him, rather than seek to convert others into a process of the
intellect and conviction, they chose to coerce them into submission,
describing such as another level of slavery practised in some parts of
the northern Nigeria.
Soyinka
noted that a replay of the original enslavement was ongoing in Mali
until France, Nigeria and other African countries intervened to stop the
interregnum.
He
said to compel a human being to adopt a religion was a kind of mental
and spiritual enslavement, which had to be resisted by all.
The
book was reviewed by a former president of the Association of Nigerian
Authors (ANA), Odia Ofeimun and presented by Professor Wole Soyinka.
Post a Comment