Say It Right: Communication Matters
How Wole Soyinka, a childhood rhyme, and clear instructions all point to one truth: better communication makes everything work better.
The Power of Clear Communication
I saw a short clip on X where Professor Wole Soyinka said something that stuck with me. He was talking about the Four Horsemen in the Bible, the ones that bring destruction, and said the fifth would be Boko Haram.
That moment stuck with me. It reminded me how much damage Boko Haram has done to Nigeria. It also made me think of that old phrase:
“The pen is mightier than the sword.”
That’s the power of communication. When used well, it can change everything. When misused or ignored, it can destroy.
Prof may have come up with that analogy on the spot. But for the rest of us, learning to speak and write powerfully takes time. You get there by reading often, thinking critically, and caring deeply about your message.
And even for Professor Soyinka, it didn’t happen overnight. It took years of reading, learning, and reflecting to be able to speak with that kind of weight. That’s not talent; it’s mastery.
Messages That Stick
Thinking back to my childhood, it feels like people used to put more thought into how they passed messages.
One thing that comes to mind is a song we were taught in primary school:
“What is Allah’s phone number? 24434.”
It was a simple way to help us remember the number of rakats in each salat (prayer). But it wasn’t just about the number. Just a sentence but packed with meaning. It reminded us of the importance of prayer, the structure, and the discipline.
That’s what effective communication looks like. It doesn’t just tell you something—it makes you remember it.
What Happened to That Kind of Messaging?
These days, it feels like people don’t think as deeply about the way they pass messages. Take Lagos State’s ongoing issue with illegal dumping. They’ve tried warnings and fines, but if you really want people to change, you have to get the message into their heads. Not just on a signboard, laws alone don’t change people; messages do. Culture does
If the messaging had been more creative, something that stuck with people the way that childhood song did, maybe we’d see more lasting change.
In Japan, there’s advertising everywhere, so companies go all out. Some of the ads are so weird, you can’t forget them even if you try. And that’s the point—they’re trying to get into your head.
Simpler Is Usually Better
Not every message has to be symbolic or poetic. In daily life, at work and in relationships, simple communication is often the best kind.
Sometimes we get emotional or frustrated and end up over-explaining. Something that should take 30 seconds takes 7 minutes. Other times, we don’t say anything because we’re annoyed or because we assume the other person should “just know”.
If you’re angry that a task wasn’t done, don’t talk like you’re scolding a child. Just say what you mean. Respectfully, clearly, and without the extras.
One Person Who Gets It Right
There’s someone I work with occasionally who nails this. Every task, every instruction, is simple and clear, with no drama. Things just get done. We don’t waste time decoding each other. And it makes all the difference.
That’s what good communication can do: it makes life smoother, work easier, and relationships stronger.
Final Thought
You don’t have to be Professor Soyinka to say something powerful.
You just need to mean what you say and say it in a way people can actually understand.
In a noisy world, clear communication is underrated. But it is what moves people. It is what solves problems. And it’s something all of us can get better at.
you don't have to be wole soyinka to say something powerful