![\"Femi](\"https:\/\/newmail-ng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Santo-drum-169x300.jpg\")
\u201cWhen somebody hears something, he puts it on the Internet, it spreads and an industry begins as people start commenting on things which never existed.<\/p>\n
\u201cPositive, negative or neutral, it doesn\u2019t matter; what matters is that somebody\u2019s identity has been stolen and some contemptable cowards are responsible for stealing that individual\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n
\u201cPutting words in his or her mouth and thereby generating totally non-existent irrelevant contestations.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, when you read things on social media, take it with a pinch of salt, decide whether it makes sense because the person who posted it might have a private agenda,\u201d Soyinka said.<\/p>\n
The Nobel Laureate said that the social media was supposed to be an \u201cempowering media\u201d which was being abused by some people.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes on social media, you\u2019ll even see trending quotes supposedly from me, with my name, my photograph, with statements which represents what those people want to say but lacked the courage to say it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He advised people to read books when in doubt in order to question the authenticity of what they see on social media.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever turn your back on an opportunity or chance to reading a work or product of somebody\u2019s mind; that way you enter the minds of others, you dispute with them, examine ideas, expand your horizons and make the entire universe a better place,\u201d Soyinka said.<\/p>\n
The Nobel Laureate condemned the recent lock out at the venue of a public symposium by the police in Lagos.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important to send strong message to this government and to the security services to stop trying to muzzle people when they come together to exchange ideas.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re reducing them as human beings and you\u2019re also reducing yourselves as human beings, because it means you\u2019re afraid to listen,\u201d said the Nobel Laureate.<\/p>\n
According to Soyinka, \u201cone of the beauties of existence is the ability to express concern which we cannot compromise.\u201d<\/p>\n
He noted that \u201ccreativity takes place in an atmosphere of absolute freedom,\u201d adding that \u201cthe reduction of the rights of expression of any one of us is an infringement and assault on the rights of all of us\u201d.<\/p>\n
Soyinka thanked Femi Coker Art Gallery in Badagry for organising the event \u201cwhich honoured my birthday and infact my existence\u201d. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has again cautioned Nigerians not to believe everything they read on the social media but rather take such online publications \u201cwith a pinch of salt.\u201d Soyinka gave the warning on Saturday in Badagry at the unveiling of an art gallery in commemoration of his 85th birthday. \u201cBe very, very careful […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":70685,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,15,2],"tags":[50540,9982,4016],"yoast_head":"\n