Having different opinions is a good thing. It is however important to express opinions respectfully when relating to elders.
Recently, a Nigerian disc jockey, Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch, has taken to social media to brag about how she “roasted” Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka.
In a post shared on her Twitter page, DJ Switch boasted about criticizing Soyinka during a panel discussion, where she did not hold back in expressing her opinions.
She highlighted Soyinka’s decision to maintain a distinct separation from his works, contrasting him with his literary counterparts.
She claimed that Soyinka had exhibited what she perceived as bigotry and myopic thinking in recent months, prompting her to tackle him during the panel discussion.
The DJ emphasized that she carefully maintained decorum while confronting Soyinka’s viewpoints, all the while praising other Nigerian writers.
“Was a panelist at an event over the weekend and just before the event started, we all got talking about African writers and of course Nigeria’s contribution.
“Someone brought up Wole Soyinka (whose works are quite exceptional if I might add)… and I was given the floor.
“Brethren… I would like to let you people know that I did not let one bullet go astray! Wole Soyinka unlike many of his counterparts chose to be completely separate from his works and also chose to display his bigotry and myopic thinking these past few months.
It was my esteemed pleasure to roast the uncle while maintaining decorum and extol other Nigerian writers!” she wrote.
DJ Switch was wrong entirely, many Nigerians took her to the cleaners.
Sola Ojewusi a public analyst wrote: “One of the wasted generations. No class, no home training. Asinine mind gloating over the stupidity and a-cultural lunacy she exhibited in the glare of the world. So you are interested in the forthrightness that favours you. When it doesn’t you recant! How preposterous! Obidiocy is truly ascendancy.”
Femi Odejayi also wrote: “What do you mean by “roast”? Soyinka expressed his opinion and so did you- it just happened to be conflicting. The tendency to exaggerate and, in some instances, rude makes the beautiful movement- obidient- distasteful.
We can have intelligent debate and I hope the movement (which in my view is the future of Nigeria) will be mature enough to engage in this.”
“Freedom of expression is good. Healthy, constructive criticism is very important.
But coming on to social media to brag that you ‘roasted’ a person only goes to show your level of maturity and I get to wonder what sensible points exactly did you make that you’re so boastful about.”—Gbemi Akitoye opined.
“Who knows DJ Switch in important circle??.if you call this girl’s name in some circle nobody knows her.She is not important at this time.Nigerians needs to talk about important and relevant people and issues.” Stella Okosun
G papa Baba Idoko wrote:”Young soyinka and older soyinka are two different species. In the 90s you won’t be saying this about prof. The second phase of his existence portrays contrasting realities of his early life. So please enjoy the roasting but an iroko tree is an iroko tree in every weather.”
“She should.pray to reach his age and achievements first. She can even come online to brag about how she did this to a man old enough to be her grandfather. Her home training show.” Abdulrasak Balikis.