The book, he said, would be his
“vengeance” against “unprovoked assault of public lies” directed against him.
The popular playwright and essayist
spoke at the formal inauguration of The Wole Soyinka Foundation, a retreat
haven for writers.
He described InterInventions as “the
nastiest book” he has ever written.
The 130 – page work –
InterInventions, Between Defective Memory and Public Lie, A Personal Odyssey in
The Republic of Liars, was presented to the public at the June 12 Cultural
Centre Kuto, Abeokuta by the Edo State governor, Adams Oshiohmole.
Soyinka said the book is “so
truthful that it hurts” and recommended it to people who “feel vengeful”
towards purveyors of public lies because of its expected therapeutic value.
“(InterInventions), it is the
nastiest book I have ever written. It is so truthful that it hurts… it is my
vengeance against public lies. It is not one of the butterfly books. No, it is
not a butterfly book.
“I want to draw blood (with it). I’m
warning all of you, if you feel vengeful, read this book and you will be
alright. It is like homeopathic medicine,” Soyinka said.
He lamented that public lies have
become an industry of sort, multiplying itself and worsened by the social media
facilitating the predisposition for lies.
On page seven of the book, he
decried public lies – “lies of staggering impudence, especially considering the
fact that, in most cases, both victims and their traducers are still living.”
According to him, there is the need
for a “ritual of public purgation where both sides – such victims of lies and
the traducers, are brought together before the public tribunal for the world to
know the truth.”
Soyinka also gave insight into lies,
allegedly against him by some individuals and past leaders, including former
Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, stating in first paragraph of
page 82 that “it was a great fun (for him, Soyinka) to watch him(Daniel) lie
his head off.”
He said he “would have gone insane”
if he had not found a serene place to hide himself while doing his creative
work.
Oshiomhole described Soyinka as a
great and relentless fighter, saying the nation needs social warriors who speak
the truth without giving a hoot whose ox is gored.
The governor, who attended the event
in the company of his wife, added that The Wole Soyinka Foundation is a worthy
cause that should be identified with by Nigerians.
Source: SaharaReporters
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