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Wole Soyinka Throws In The Towel In Fight With Ex Gov Olagunsoye Oyinlola Over Chair Of Centre For Black Culture

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…Claims ’embarrassment at painful reductionism of situation’

World wide recognised definition of literature, Professor Wole Soyinka has thrown in the towel in contest with ex governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to who is the authentic chairman of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU), Osogbo, Osun State.

Here is a link for background – http://societynowng.com/Inside-Ex-Gov-Olagunsoye-Oyinlola-Prof-Wole-Soyinka-Raging-Fight-Over-Leadership-Of-Unesco-Centre-That-Has-Resulted-In-Free-Use-
And here are details of the interesting twist in the saga that threw up unexpected chapters between the two leading light of culture.

Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka has resigned as Chair of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU), Osogbo, Osun State.

In a statement yesterday night he said he is quitting “to express my frustration and embarrassment at the persistence of sectors of the media in designating the situation as some kind of hustle for position between two individuals. This is painful reductionism. In any case, I am left with no choice but to openly demand of the governor of Osun State the immediate and formal acceptance of my resignation letter from CBCIU chairmanship.”

Prof Soyinka and former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola have been at war over the chairmanship of the centre since the appointment of Soyinka as chair by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Oyinlola had kicked against the appointment of Soyinka, saying it was wrong.

In his resignation, Soyinka stated, “I undertook this assignment on principle – quite apart from my sentimental attachment to the political constituency of my late friend, Bola Ige, assassinated by those very forces against which CBCIU must remain resolutely embattled.

More relevant however is that I have always found it despicable conduct when an elected individual diverts the resources of the people over whom he presides to carving out for himself a sinecure. Self-service should not be read in the vocabulary of anyone fortunate enough to be called to serve his or her people.”

He added that since he was out of the country, he found it necessary to resign so as not to accused of contempt of court in a case which he was not even aware was in court.

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