Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has decried the proliferation of fake news in Nigeria, saying a Nigerian would cause Third World War through dissemination of fake news if the trend is not curtailed.
Soyinka disclosed this Wednesday as a panelist at BBC News‘ ‘Countering Fake News’ symposium in Abuja.
He said that many fake news items have been attributed to him in the past, especially in the period leading to the 2015 presidential election.
“I’ve said this before that fake news may cause World War 3 and the fake news will be started by a Nigerian,” he said.
Soyinka added, “During the last Presidential election I was quoted as saying that it serves President Jonathan right for marrying an illiterate.
“Sometimes some people quote me as saying if you vote for a particular candidate, your mother is a goat or your father is a gorilla.”
He further disclosed that his obituary had been published a couple of times on social media, saying it caused agitation to his loved ones who called him on phone to confirm.
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