Prof Wole Soyinka, a nonagenarian, Nobel Laureate
The erraticism that personifies the current tenant in the White House, Mr Donald J. Trump, has undoubtedly begun to taint government business, as if it’s a sole proprietorship. The officers charged with dispensing civil and diplomatic services have in themselves started to exhibit a queer mannerism which is hard to comprehend, nor does the lack of courtesy in the civil service delivery conform to wholesome reasoning, and best practices in the discharge of tasks assigned.
The most recent aberrant conduct occurred in Lagos at the US Consulate office, and at the receiving end was one of the very few leading lights in the black race worldwide.
The legendary Professor of literature, and a Nobel Laurette, Wole Soyinka, disclosed at a very terse media briefing in Lagos that his non-migrant US visa had been revoked.
At the media briefing on Tuesday, 28th October 2025, at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Prof Soyinka said he was unaware of any action that could have prompted the revocation of his visa.
The Professor emeritus, a nonagenarian, announced thus; “I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me.”
The elder statesman explained he called the media briefing so that those who invited him various engagements in the US would understand why he would not show up’..
Prof Soyinka explained the rationale for the briefing thus: “It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time,” he added.
The Nobel Laureate, however, said the US Consular sent him a letter dated 23rd October, informing him of his visa revocation but each line of the letter was more of a fiction.
Prof said the lines were like scammers note and an epilogue by the Yahoo boys looking for access to get closer and release the satanic plots in their arsenal.
Professor Wole Soyinka
Hence, the nonagenarian took the mails with a pinch of salt. He read out the content of the letter thus; “This letter serves as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the non-immigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in the U.S. Department of State regulations.”
The obviously surprised elder state man said he was on his own volition began to scan history of his dealings and visit to the US for any misdemeanor no matter how minute but couldn’t remember any
The legendary playwriter said of his personal self reexamination’ “I’m still looking into my past history… I don’t have any past criminal record or even a felony or misdemeanor to qualify for the revocation,” he said.
He further said of the confusion that letter from the US Consulate office caused him, “At first, I thought it was advance-fee fraud… I had never received that kind of letter from any embassy. I even thought maybe AI generated it.”
Moreover, the nonagenarian who holds a B1/B2 visa for temporary business or tourism travel said he spurned a US Consulate request for a visa reassessment scheduled the following day, (24th October).
The globally renowned Professor described the entire communication- its content and manner of delivery- as suspicious.
THROWBACK: Trump Covets Nobel Peace Laureate
In the peculiarity of the queer manner the tenant in White House pulls his strings, his accusation of the committee for the nomination and the award of Nobel Laureate might not be unconnected to this very discourteous and crude approach in the matter.
Donald Trump, who in a manner that lacked scruples, had openly expressed his desire to be decorated with the Nobel Prize for world peace.
Mr Donald Trump, the US President, has accused Nobel Laureate committee of depriving him of the Peace award
In his usual characteristic, Mr Donald Trump had accused the committee of deliberately denying him the global honour. Had any Nobel Laureate been won through harassment, government-orchestrated campaign, or through social pressure? Would the candidate present himself for the competition, or be nominated by eminent persons or would the nominee’s name be tossed for consideration along with his/her resume?
And if the tenant in White House is engrossed in clinching the peace price, let him come clean and seek from the revered Professor advice on how to discreetly prosecute the entire process towards achieving his heart’s desire.
Let Mr Trump explore the proper diplomatic channels that exist to reach Pa Wole Soyinka for consultancy, and the elder statesman would provide Trump the consultancy for gratis.
Here in “Naija”, we say “don’t do gra gra for us”. Suave approach does it better. And not intimidating the man in anyone desirous of a legal trip to God’s own country, and not Trump’s own country.
The invitation again to the gracious and extraordinarily gifted elderly man, is for what in view? Is the new age mantra now, act before you think? Or the time-tested and proven acceptable mantra, think before you act?
About Post Author
