Book writers in Nigeria have been asked to avoid the use of languages that could heat up the polity in their books.
A former Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe, said that the language of most books in Nigeria could be better if there were reviews and adequate regulations of the content of books.
He was giving his opinion on recent books published by a former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo and Mr Yinka Odumakin.
About three weeks after former President Obasanjo published his book, ‘My Watch’, Mr Odumakin released his book entitled ‘Watch the Watchman’, countering some claims that the President had made in his book.
Professor Ibidapo-Obe commended the writers’ efforts in putting the materials together, emphasising such contents were needed in Nigeria for the sake of history.
“It is part of the things that are missing in Nigeria today.
“But I think we need to do things a little more cautious in terms of the language we use.
“I find it strange, in terms of our culture, that you will say an elder is lying,” he said, apparently referring to Mr Yinka Odumakin’s claims that Mr Obasanjo’s book “is a package of lies”.
“A man has given his own memoirs and we might say, this are the things that are missing.
“I thought it is a question of what we want to achieve. We can still achieve the same thing without casting insults and aspersions. It is not good for our polity I think.
“You know, all of them are politicians and they try to score a point in short time. Unfortunately I have not seen, apart from my initial forefathers in Nigeria, politicians that think long term.
“All of them are looking at the next election and that is a terrible constraint. It does not give us an opportunity to look at national development and see where the future will be,” he lamented.
The former UNILAG VC pointed out that the books were good for research and learning, but stressed that there should have been a process that should have given it a thorough review for the authenticity of the content.
“Some the languages in Mr Olusegun Obasanjo’s book in current terms, perhaps, could have been a little softened as it is.
“There could have been an avenue where some of the issues should have been discussed with the current leaders.
“Why is it that this man was not given an opportunity to have easy access and discuss the issues?” he questioned.
Professor Ibidapo-Obe further said there was the need for people to be allowed to look at the books in terms of the content and the language and make their statements about it.