* Wole Soyinka
By Funso Alarape,
Ibidapo Olowolayemo, Ibadan
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Please, share this story:
The Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Monday, said he never knew he would live to be 90.
Soyinka revealed this while answering questions from about 383 students who participated in the 2024 edition of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme held at Prof. Soyinka’s ARI residence, Ijegba, Abeokuta.
This was as the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, announced scholarships and gifts of laptops to nine students who emerged best in an essay competition organized to mark Soyinka’s 90th birthday.
Born on July 13, 1934, the Nobel Laureate clocked 90 on Saturday.
While answering questions from children on his life experiences for the past 90 years, Soyinka said he did not envisage living up to 90, adding that he decided to be a writer to correct some anomalies from stories he listened to while growing up.
On why he broke into a radio station during the military era, he said: “I never broke into a radio station, but sneaked in. The radio station was holding on to something that belonged to the people, and I decided to retrieve it. If that item had been played, it would have demoralized the people and established the culture of brutality.”
He chided Nigerians for always criticizing the state but unwilling to examine themselves.
Soyinka said crimes like kidnapping and robbery, among others, could not be blamed on poverty or inequality, but on selfishness and the desire to live a life of luxury.
He lauded Governor Abiodun for helping to develop the environment around his abode and saving it from degradation, even as he emphasized that this has led to his not abandoning the country.
Speaking during the program, Abiodun emphasized that the gifts of scholarships and laptops were to encourage the students to keep writing as well as motivate others to participate in the next edition of the competition.
Describing the Noble Laureate as the most celebrated black African, who had excelled in his chosen career, the governor noted that as the key to bringing about change and prosperity in Nigeria and around the world, it was imperative to engage the youth and ensure that their thinking and goals were oriented toward progress for the motherland and humanity.
He said the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange was established to honor the playwright’s legacy and reflect on his lifelong commitment to education, cultural exchange, and nurturing future leaders.
He added that the initiative underscored Soyinka’s values, which include justice, freedom, and the pursuit of excellence in the arts and humanities.
Abiodun said this year’s theme, “Engaging National Interest on Good Governance, Understanding Nation-Building,” perfectly encapsulated Soyinka’s profound commitment to creating a just and equitable world.
The Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange focuses on essay competition, advocacy, and performing arts, which include poetry, drama, and Spoken Word.
The governor said: “We celebrate a project that, for over 14 years, has upheld his ideals and vision. There is no doubt that the Nobel Laureate has optimally utilized the inherent values and wisdom of African culture and tradition in his global engagement as a world citizen of African descent.
“The mission and underlying objectives of WSICE are clear and commendable. They seek to create unity among mankind regardless of nationality, culture, or religion by focusing on youth as the future of humanity, in line with the thoughts and guiding principles of Professor Wole Soyinka.”
The 2024 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme drew students from different parts of the country who participated in an essay competition on national and international topics.
About 383 students participated in the competition, 90 were chosen, while nine were selected with Alabi Oluwanifemi emerging as the best essayist, Okoye Collins John coming second, and Adebusi Adeoluwa, coming third.
Fasoranti eulogises Soyinka,
you’re an example for generations
Meanwhile, the factional leader of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR, has described Nobel Laureate, Professor Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka, as a catalyst who precipitates things to happen.
Fasoranti stated this in a congratulatory message to the literary icon who turned 90 on Saturday, July 13th. National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, quoted Pa Fasoranti as saying that Soyinka, in his activities and carriage, exuded the characteristics of a catalyst that made things happen.
“In Soyinka’s case, what he precipitates are things that would ennoble the people and positively project humanity further,” he said.
According to Ajayi, Pa Fasoranti recounted numerous occasions when the literary scholar had interrogated the prevailing systems in the interest of the public.
“The actions of Professor Soyinka in and outside the academics are always geared towards enhancing humanity. This, he always did by y of calling the attention of those concerned to relevant issues.
“He was never shy of physically taking the lead – or be part of those who lead – in progressive agitations,” Fasoranti said, adding that “with these and some of his accomplishments, he is certainly one of those who are regarded in the pantheon as ‘Eni ti Ori sa da’ (the special breed).”
It is on record that the Abeokuta, Ogun State-born scholar has always been an activist right from his youthful, if not childhood, days.
Ajayi said instances were too numerous to be recounted here, adding that it is, however, worth mentioning that “he acted as a one-man squad in standing against what he considered as a rape on democracy in 1964.
“At different times, he took steps that were meant to right the wrongs on the political turf. One of such other occasions was during the late General Sani Abacha’s dictatorship days.
“Soyinka, along with many other patriots, made pronouncements and took steps that put their lives in danger. Indeed, many patriots had to run for safety, while some others paid the supreme price in what became known as the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO)/Abacha era.
“On this occasion and several other occasions requiring genuine patriotic actions, Soyinka was not found wanting at all.
“Given the foregoing, Professor Wole Soyinka is undoubtedly ‘Awokose-Gidi,’ an exemplary individual par excellence.”
Those were the words of Pa Fasoranti, an Afenifere leader who is also Asiwaju of the Yoruba.
Fasoranti, himself a nonagenarian, recalled their days in the trenches with NADECO activists and disclosed that “Soyinka gave a good account of himself during the struggles.”
The statement commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for naming a major street in Abuja after the Nobel Laureate last month and for naming the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos after the same man “to mark the 90th birthday of a man who has projected Yoruba ideas, Nigeria and Africa on the global plane. Afenifere is truly proud of him.”
We are here to serve you with quality news and information.
However, your donations, reactions, and advert placement are welcome.
Contact us on 08033783144 (WhatsApp)
08023469999
idowuadelusi@yahoo.com, idowuadelusi@gmail.com,
thepathfindernews0@gmail.com
Follow our reports also on X @idowuadelusi and Facebook (Idowu Oluwole Adelusi)