Outcry Over FG's Ban on 'Tell Your Papa' Continues, as Soyinka Speaks Out Against Censorship
A Resounding Criticism from Wole Soyinka
Nobel Laureate and respected rights activist, Professor Wole Soyinka, has entered the growing chorus of disapproval over the federal government’s proscription of the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem. Speaking from New York University, Abu Dhabi, Soyinka vehemently criticized the National Broadcasting Commission’s decision, likening it to a draconian return to censorship that jeopardizes the foundational principle of free expression.
The Culture of Censorship: A Shameful Reminder
In his poignant and reflective commentary, Soyinka decried the ban as a retrogressive step, arguing for the fundamental necessity of protecting artistic creation. The celebrated dramatist noted that the issue extends beyond the song’s content, touching the very essence of democratic freedom. “We must look on the bright side by perhaps embracing satire and cartoons as vehicles of criticism, even if censored content tends to unintentionally promote the artist further,” he quipped, hinting at the attention now drawn to Abdulkareem’s work.
Unintended Consequences: A Boost to Abdulkareem’s Artistry
According to Pointblank News, Soyinka’s assertion that the ban has ironically served as free governmental promotion rings evident, as Abdulkareem’s popularity continues to soar. This unanticipated consequence echoes through the corridors of those advocating for free speech, with the song’s newfound fame symbolizing a resurgence of artistic resistance against censorship.
A Dangerous Precedent in Democratic Nigeria
Soyinka’s address was not merely a defense of music but an urgent warning against the slippery slope of restricting expression. By alluding to diverse outcomes of previous attempts to gag artistic voices, the laureate stressed the detrimental impact on Nigeria’s progress toward a robust democracy. “Censorship,” he warned, “fuels a permissive environment where power abuses flourish unchecked, resulting in destructive impunity on multiple fronts.”
Voices Silenced: The Lingering Culture of Impunity
In his statement, Soyinka expanded the conversation beyond music censorship to touch on broader societal ills, referencing the unchecked violence like the recent tragedy in Edo State. He poignantly criticized the rampant culture of impunity and the government’s failure to deliver justice in past cases such as Deborah Samuel’s murder.
The Call to Action: Reversal of an Irrational Ban
In closing, the Nobel Laureate’s evocative call to arms was clear: relevant regulatory bodies must reverse this “petulant irrationality” immediately. Highlighting the necessity for governments to embrace criticism rather than suppress it, Soyinka stood firm on the matter, emphasizing that any administration that entertains only praise is bound for decline.
In a landscape fraught with tensions between control and freedom, Wole Soyinka’s examination is more than a critical opinion; it’s a passionate plea for a future where artistic voices ring freely in the diverse chorus of Nigerian socio-political discourse.
