Prof Wole Soyinka @ 80 Untold Stories of Nobel Laureate

 

Prof Wole Soyinka, undoubtedly Nigeria best known playwright, Essayist, activist and critic, widely known across the globe recently clocked 80 and the world celebrated him. W.S as better called by his peers was born in 1934 at Abeokuta to a family sourced from Ipara Remo both in Ogun State, South West, Nigeria.

His father late Pa P.A Soyinka, a teacher himself realized that education is the only antidote to poverty and so was prepared to do everything possible to educate his children from his meagre resources even when not much is left to enjoy himself. Young Oluwole was therefore made to cut his academic teeth at a tender age of a toddler. It was not long before his parents realized his potentials and this encouraged them the more even if it will mean to sacrifice every material thing that could be turned to money to see him through the expensive path to education.

Interestingly the radical but exceptionally brilliant Oluwole did not disappoint them except to occasionally challenge bigger boys in his school to physical combat. He went through all these during his days in the elementary school and even when he enlisted into the famous Abeokuta Grammar School and thereafter Government College Ibadan, the story remains the same. But whatever happens he maintained his brilliancy and this made him the choice of his tutors hence so many cases of confrontations with bigger seniors that often enjoy bullying younger boys were often treated by the authorities with special care. As a matter of fact, the authorities did not quite like him because he insisted in going his own way and in many instances, he would be where he was not suppose to be. In a recent interview with the media, Prof Soyinka declared that his father who was a great disciplinarian and a most refined being remains the template of his life.

According to him, his interest and ability to cultivate the habit of reading early in life made him a voracious reader and his criticism of the presentations and recomposing some of the books he read then to his satisfaction, greatly developed his ability in creative writing.

His reason for such criticism then was that though most of those books were frictions, but they were in real, in the sense that they were identifying the realities and possibilities of lives. The son of a petty trader mother recollected with nostalgia how he as a young boy was always a source of worry for the innocent mother because of his over confidence as he was always trying to under take difficult things which older people should handle with caution.

As a young student in his secondary school days, the library was his second dometry and this greatly contributed to his reading and writing habit. He remembered vividly how he won a bronze medal at a writing competition which was then organized by the British Council. And has since discovered the power of imagination.

Expectedly, series of stage plays, conferences and discourses were held in and outside Nigeria in honour of the literary legend. Deluge of encomium were poured in their hundreds from all over the globe all of which the great man was eulogized.

Before the celebrations finally reached its crescendo after a whole week event, more than fifty gathering must have being held in honour of this great African genius. Thereafter lovers of theatre were opportuned to   watch major plays written by Soyinka at different locations in and outside Nigeria.

One of the significant highlights of the celebration was the presence of 80 poets drawn from Nigeria, U.S and Jamaica that exhibited their creative impluses at a gathering tagged “THE SOYINKA IMPLUSES AND EDUCATION- PATH TO FREEDOM AND FUTURE. This was held in Lagos. Other notable events that marked the celebration was the lecture which had a leading African Literature Scholar and Provost of College of Humanities at the Kwara State University, Pro Abiola Irele speaks on the theme WOLE SOYINKA AND THE MORAL BURDEN OF LITERATURE.

Exhibitions were held for the Nobel Laurel across the country while some of the plays written by him amongst which were Alapata, Apata, Death and the kings Horseman, Madmen and specialist, Dance of the Forest including Ake and Obakoso were performed at different locations to the admiration of theatre lovers.

In spite of his direct confrontations with the present government, President Jonathan led the eminent Nigerian leaders to congratulate him for reaching the Landmark age of Octogenarians. The President applauds his life, long dedication and indefatigable commitment to using his acclaimed genius and talents, not only in the service of arts, but also for the promotion of democracy, good governance and respect for human right in Nigeria, African and beyond. He prays that God Almighty will grant him more years of good health and strength to continue with his devotion to making the world a better place for his people and all who live in it.

Notable Intellectuals and Technocrats of Arts and Allied Professions some of whom have one time or the other crossed same path with the erudite scholar made valuable and memorable remarks about this man of history called Wole Soyinka.

Professor Tony Afejuku, a seasoned scholar described Soyinka as the only Icon known to have shown consistency in his utterances, a great human being, greater than man that could almost be called a supreme human being. He finally confirmed him as a legend and as a man of ages and even beyond ages.

He hoped and wished that he never die so as keep on living in all the great works he has bequeathed on generations and also keep on being alive doing the splendid and wonderful things he has been doing for Nigeria, the world and humanity in general.

Renowned playwright, Professor Femi Osofisan presented him as more of a fusion of a deity and a man. He presented Soyinka as one whose firm friendship is as solid as an avail, his laughter reassuring and inebriating as an evening’s sip of wine.

According to Professor Osofisan, Those who love Soyinka are like doting worshippers, but those who hate are just as fascinated and can not but view him with awe and respect and all these towers him above his eminent comptemporaries. He wondered if he’s the modern day reincarnation of (Ogun) the mythic Yoruba hero. This is considering him as a blend of contradictions a man of action and compassion warrior and poet, builder and iconoclast. He concluded that Soyinka is a treasure to the Nigerian nation.

Professor Emmanuel Dandaora, a Professor of Participatory Communications and Performance Aesthetics believes that the greatest trade mark of Soyinka is consistency. He noted him as a man that has remained outspoken against all odds and in the face of life threatening challenges against successive government of Nigeria. He went down memory lane on how Soyinka spoke against injustice he believed fuelled the Biafra war, how he vehemently condemned the annulment of June 12 elections.

He appreciates Soyinka for his recent comments on terrorism at which he had been speaking on the need to attack terrorism and to support Government. According to him, Soyinka is a man whose literature always agreed with his politics, a trait that stands him out.

In the interview with Prof’ Soyinka prior to his 80^th birthday, the literary legend spoke about the state of the Nigerian nation. He frowned with the inclusion of the late General Sanni Abacha in the list of 100 Nigerian honoured with centenary award. He wondered on what yardstick the government of President Jonathan measure the achievement of people so honoured.

If the name of a incredible man like Abacha could find its way into the list side by side with credible Nigerians like, Chinua Achebe, Emeka Anyaoku and Mike Adenuga. He sees Jonathan’s act as a symbolic negation and a decreation of what others in the list stood for. He described the honours event as an abomination and called on President Jonathan to discard and consigned the list to oblivion to make way for a truly sustainable one.

On the dedication of his Nobel Lecture to Dr. Nelson Mandela, it was to demonstration of his love for him South Africa which Mandela represents as the bearer of Africa dignity. He also stated that, that was the reason of his expression that the “soul of Africa has departed when he died. He revealed that his reason for enlisting into the Army as a cadet officer was mainly to fight against the Apartheid of South Africa at which he fled on realizing that he was to be posted to fight for suez against his mission.

On the school girls abducted by Boko Haram, Professor Soyinka, a grandfather himself registered his feelings on the plight of the innocent children and their parents. He sees it as a national shame that they are yet to be rescued. He described it as a burden on national and international conscience that would continue to hunt decent humanity until the stigma is removed.

Professor Soyinka’s recently held though solemnly exposed his private life as most people that knew him well used that opportunity to say what they knew about him, their relationship with him their impression about him and how he has touched their lives in different directions.

His wife, Folake Soyinka presented him as a very warm person and very concerned about other people and their suffering sometimes to his own detriment. She says that the only complained about her marriage was that he is hardly around because of his frequent travels but then the children  were already used to that right from the time they were toddler, But whenever he’s around he makes up for that, by taking them out and remaining indoor with them when time permits. He comes down to their level.

According to the mother of three, Tunlewa, Bojode and Eniara, her husband as a family man, no one can own, not even his siblings, or children. He is simply a world citizen.

He is also a great provider though not the extent of spoiling people with luxurious material things. But providing basic and modest things off life is always his priority.

She recalled the initial objection of her parents when the Professor proposed marriage to her, their reason being that he was too famous and too accomplished. But not long after their marriage her parents were convinced that she had made a right choice as Professor have proven to be good beyond reasonable doubt. He had remained so caring and committed to making her happy as a husband.

Dr.Olaokun Soyinka, his eldest son, a medical doctor and incumbent Ogun State Health Commissioner in his encomium to his father appreciates his father for always allowing his children to be their own and to explore their boundaries and freedoms with some fairly strict no go areas. He also has never seen his father as a spanker or beater. He never disciplined children with rod when they were young. The worse punishment a child could receive from his dad was to be given some line of sentence to be written a thousand times for being naughty.

Amongst things he grew up to discover in his father was his ability to remain consistent and believe in moral compass. He also grew up to discover that his father enjoy having people around him when his not writing and that’s why their house sometimes become a honey out place for some of his acquaintances.

One remarkable thing he appreciates in his father his doggedness and determination. He recalled his days in exile during which they were involved in activities of NADECO while overseas and the Radio Kudirat back home in Nigeria then.

The Hon. Commissioner, who often calls his father “Kongi” his nick name described the day his father was presented the Nobel prize as a memorable day, he was quite to have him as a father.

Moreni Soyinka- Onijala (Mrs.) a lawyer and amiable daughter of Professor Wole Soyinka in recounting the founding memories of her youthful life at the home front, remember how they enjoy weaving his long hair for fun and upon satisfying themselves, he would say “Now that you are done loosen it and comb it back”.

Her concern was that Daddy was most times not around and that situation has still [not improved up till now. Even though the grandchildren want to be around him for holidays, this had not be really visible because of his many commitments in and outside the country.

Her’s and her siblings more concern then was for his life and that of the family because of his activism as an outspoken critics who can not hid feelings or be economical with the truth.

She remembered with nostalgia his usual face of with the military junta which led to his being out of prison on many occasion and sometimes in exile out of the country of African most time as a fugitive she described those days as tough and terrible. All that as it may be, there were situations where being his son opened up doors for them.

The Barrister at Law and former legal officer with the National Insurance Corporation, Mrs. Soyinka Onijala recounted how Chief Olusegun Obasanjo during his days as President offered her appointment as a Special Assistant to handle matters on legal matters, humanitarian issues, refugee issues and youth development related issues.

This later transcended into also serving in the Yar’ Adua and Jonathan Administration and later Jonathan/ Sambo’s Administration.

 Surprisingly my service under these people never debarred my father from given them a break in his criticism of their government some which are sometimes confrontational. As a highly principled man, he never believed in influencing anything.

 He believed, everything should be achieved on merit, even when we were trying to secure admission into the university and all the merits were in our disposal and some people were trying to play some funny pranks, he never allowed that to be affect him with his belief that what would be will be no matter the odds.

Moreni recalled how their mother was involved in being there for them at all times in the crucial area of securing admission and all that. According to her, their mother shielded them from sense of loss as children but they still felt the pain and were acutely aware that there was a gaping hole.

The wife of a Diplomat confessed that she doesn’t read much of her father’s books because most of them are not her taste. She however confirmed that she has read Ake and Ibadan passionately because they are easy to relate with.

“Nobeeeelll” as she was fondly called by some of her aunts and childhood mates when her father received the Nobel Prize in literature revealed that, that remained a monumental pride of their family as it propelled their father unto world stage in a very different and more prominent manner.

She remembered vividly that in spite of her father being a regular critic of the then General Ibrahim Babangida led administration. The General was equally proved of the award that he provided a plane to fly the Nigerian delegation that accompanied her father amongst whom was her mother and their eldest brother Olaokun.

Professor Femi Soyinka, the gentle man professor of medicine and junior brother to Professor Wole Soyinka of same parents went down memory lane to remember some remarkable experiences they had together during their formative years. He remember how he, Wole and Tinu were caught enjoying the fun of drinking their father’s Dubonet and refilling it with water until the old man discovered the change of taste and set a trap that caught them and what happened to them thereafter in terms of punishment today remains history.

In comparing Wole Soyinka of those days with that of today, the soft spoken Uncle Femi as better by Wole Soyinka’s children confessed that they had not seen significant changes as he has remained the same brave, outspoken sometime very daring, very adventurous, very intelligent  and one that has always remained passionate about his belief.

The only thing that could be considered changed in him is appearance which normally should be to the effect of old age and his grey hair.

He has however become more intelligent and has had the rare privilege of keeping his brain sharper as he ages on. One thing that he has also noticed in his brother was his becoming a genius and some times eccentric. He has also continuously and constantly developed himself.

One source of worry for the medical practitioner is the dwindling level of education in the country. And unpleasant situation that may eventually become disastrous for the unborn generation of the country. He wondered how people who can not be seeing to have received education found their way to governance. He is warned that if might be difficult to bring education back to its initial glory.

Professor Folabo Soyinka- Ajayi the youngest of Professor Wole Soyinka’s siblings who considers herself lucky of holding a special position in the family being the baby of the house said of her brother as a man that is very caring and has continue to protect her in the way of trusting her enough to let her handle situation all on her own.

The Professor of Theatre Art like her brother says she had all along try not to be seeing as one living in the shadow of his brother but agreed that his success influenced her decision to embrace performing Arts.

Folabo as fondly called in their highly disciplined family background coupled with that of the famous Mayflower College; Ikenne considers it as a stupid idea the notion of believing that Theatre ladies are loose because of their exposure. She revealed that the family is endowed with the passion for justice and fairness as a matter of principle and this is what his brother represents. According to her, though when his brother, because of his personal attributes sometimes run into trouble with the power that be, it calls for worry for the safety of his life, but their believe in the cause he has taken in justice fairness, fundamental human rights and in his passion for a stable Nigeria, his criticism of corruption and all the so called rulers that we had.