Celebrated Nigerian writer, Lola Shoneyin, has lambasted the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Coscharis Group, Cosmas Maduka, for evangelising on the streets of Lagos.

WuzupNigeria reports that the billionaire had gone viral on Twitter for preaching with a megaphone on the streets, with fellow industrialist Dele Momodu and former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, praising him.

However, Shoneyin, who runs Book Buzz Foundation, slammed Maduka for publicly preaching with a megaphone, labelling him a busboy.

Quoting Mr Momodu’s tweet, Shoneyin said:

“Billionaire or busboy, noise pollution is a huge problem in Nigeria.”

Is shouting in the streets through a megaphone how you practice your faith? If we all decided to do that, would there have peace? Would you tolerate a Sango-worshipper doing the same? The problem is the inability of some to respect public spaces and the rights of others. https://t.co/Ogza9ofhFx

— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) June 3, 2019

But, after a Twitter user, Bolaji @Kuits234, accused her of intolerance, the The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’ author clarified her stance, saying it was important to respect public spaces.

You practice your faith but you can’t tolerate others practicing their faith. The problem we have is intolerance not noise pollution as you call it. https://t.co/plagYfzsxv

— Bolaji (@Kuits234) June 3, 2019

She wrote:

Is shouting in the streets through a megaphone how you practice your faith? If we all decided to do that, would there have peace? Would you tolerate a Sango-worshipper doing the same? The problem is the inability of some to respect public spaces and the rights of others.

Lola Shoneyin was educated at Olabisi Onabanjo University, going on to release three collections of poems.

She is popular for her 2010 novel, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives.

Lola lives in Lagos, Nigeria, where she runs the annual Aké Arts and Book Festival.

See other reactions:

If any of the CEOs of Ross Royce, Range Rover, Chrysler or Toyota car manufacturers does this in the street of London, NYC, or Tokyo, he’d swiftly be rushed by an Ambulance to the nearest psychiatric hospital for assessment. I’m 100% certain!

— Olubodun Adewumi (@Davolade) 3 June 2019

Envy. Suddenly, you remember noise pollution because a Billionaire is preaching with a mega phone in an already noisy road. Yet, it’s not noise pollution when you blare your car horn on the road. Any books on noise pollution?

Look deep, your problem isn’t with the megaphone.

— Daniela Usen Brown? (@NaijaOur) 3 June 2019

It probably wouldn’t have been noise pollution if he was praise singing and “showcasing the achievements” of their favourite politician in the same manner.

— Iyanda Okin (@ZIKKEJI) 3 June 2019

Oh you forgot when you turn on your generator sets when there is no light and your neighbour has none, isn’t not just noise pollution but also environmental pollution.

— Raymond Pedro R. (@benafflick98) 3 June 2019