Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has observed that mental and spiritual slavery still exist in some parts of the world, including Nigeria, as some religious leaders are determined to enslave others rather than preach the gospel that appeal through the minds.
Soyinka made the observation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday, at the public presentation of a book ‘’He Dared: The story of Okuku Udo Akpabio, the Great Colonial African Ruler,” written by Offonmbuck Akpabio, held at the Le’Meridien Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort.
“In this country today, there are some people who are determined to enslave us mentally and spiritually. It is not sufficient for them to preach the gospel and appeal to us through our minds,” he maintained.
According to him, rather than seek to convert others into a process of the intellect and conviction, they chose to coerce them into submission, describing such as another level of slavery practised in some parts of the northern Nigeria.
Soyinka noted that a replay of the original enslavement was ongoing in Mali until France, Nigeria and other African countries intervened to stop the interregnum.
He said to compel a human being to adopt a religion was a kind of mental and spiritual enslavement, which had to be resisted by all.
The book was reviewed by a former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Odia Ofeimun and presented by Professor Wole Soyinka.
