The Nobel Laureate, Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde, famously known as Prof. Wole Soyinka, affirmed on Monday that he never knew he would live to be 90.
Soyinka disclosed this while answering questions from about 383 students who engaged in the 2024 edition of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme organised at Prof. Soyinka’s ARI Home, Ijegba, Abeokuta.
This was as the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, made public scholarships and gifts of laptops to nine students who came out on top in an essay competition organised to commemorate Soyinka’s 90th birthday. The Nigerian playwright and novelist, who clocked 90 on Saturday, was born on July 13, 1934.
During an interactive session with children concerning his life experiences for the past 90 years, the Nobel Laureate hinted that he did not visualise living up to 90, stating that he chose to be a writer to correct some abnormalities from stories he listened to while growing up.
When asked why he broke into a radio station during military rule, Soyinka clarified that he didn't break in but rather entered discreetly. He said, I felt the station was withholding something crucial that belonged to the public. Soyinka believed airing the information would have crushed public morale and solidified a climate of violence.
He urged Nigerians to take responsibility for their own actions and not just blame the government for everything.
On his part, societal ills such as abduction 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 applauded Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for helping to develop the environment around his abode and saving it from worsening, even as he stressed that this has led to his not abandoning the country.
