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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, turns 70JULIET BUMAH, Ag. Arts Editor
AFRICA�S first Nobel laureate in literature, Professor Oluwole Akinwande Soyinka, turns 70 today. The long-awaited occasion had been preceded by Wole Soyinka festivals in several parts of the world months before similar programmes began in Nigeria. The literary icon, who had on various occasions, expressed his dislike for birthday celebrations, took interest in having interactive sessions strictly with secondary school pupils. While the first session was held last Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo State, the second one took place on Monday at the National Theatre in Lagos. However, with or without his active participation, the Nobel laureate is being celebrated by every constituency he has touched in his eventful career from literature to human rights and socio-political activism. Today at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) a.k.a. Pyrates Confraternity will honour Kongi (as he is popularly known) with a public lecture titled: Nigeria: The Unfinished Business which will be delivered by a fronline democrat and founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), former Governor of Lagos and Imo States. According to the organisers�, Lt Gen. Alani Akirinade, former member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council and a frontline member of NADECO will chair the occasion while Comrade Oshiomole, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Professor Ayo Banjo, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan will be the Special Guest . The Soyinka Festival 2004 has organised a series of activities comprising lectures, talks, drama performances to honour this literary giant who has, in addition to his literary prowess, been in the vanguard of the fight for human right in Nigeria. The events include a birthday lecture delivered by Professor Biodun Jeyifo titled; Oguntoyinbo: Wole Soyinka and Igilango Geesi last Monday at the Muson Centre, Onikan � Lagos. The Soyinka Festival which kicked off with a lecture by Emeritus Professor Ayo Bamgbose at the Development Policy Centre, Ibadan on Tuesday 22nd June, 2004, continues with a special birthday Dinner being sponsored by Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu of Lagos while the celebration ends with another special Banquet Dinner to be hosted by Governor Daniel of Ogun State on Saturday 17th July, 2004. It would be recalled that Professor Soyinka who has been in the forefront of democracy recently led the rally against perceived bad policies of the government and was arrested and quickly released. The literary giant once again registered his dislike for celebrations last Saturday at Jazzville, Onike-Lagos venue of the association of Nigeria Authors (ANA) Lagos reading in his honour. He told his literary icons that, �People find it very difficult to understand that I don�t enjoy being celebrated. I�ve never enjoyed it.� One other thing that irks the lion is misrepresentation in the media. He complained about one of Nigeria�s national dailies that called him a cultist because he founded the Pyrates Confraternity. He seized the opportunity to explain once again, that NAS is not a cult and has never been one. Born on July 13th, 1934 in Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Professor Soyinka, Nobel Laureate, Playwright, Poet, Actor, Teacher, Social Critic, among others. An accomplished writer, he has won many foreign awards which include Prisoner of Conscience Award by Amnesty International, John Whiting award by the British Arts Council 1968, Agip Prize for Humanity, 1986, Nobel Prize for literature 1986, Commander of the Order of Merit, Italian Republic 1990, Fellowship of Nigerian Academy of Letters 1999. He is also a recipient of other awards like Commander of the Federal Republic 1986, Honorary Doctor of Letters, University of Leeds, England 1973 among others. A world acclaimed writer, he has written many novels, plays, poetry and non-fiction collections including The Interpreters, The Strong Breed, Kongi�s Harvest, The road, Madmen and Specialists, The Man Died. Professor Soyinka, Nobel Laureate, Playwright, Poet, Actor, Teacher, Social Critic, Political Activist was born on 13th July, 1934 in Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He had his primary education at St. Peter�s School Ake Abeokuta. Between 1944-1950, he attended Abeokuta Grammar School and Government College, Ibadan. He proceeded to the University of Leeds, England in 1954. He was a lecturer in the department of English, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), and also a lecturer and acting Head of Department, University of Lagos between 1965 and 1967, Director, School of Drama, University of Ibadan 1967, visiting Professor in Drama, Sheffield University, England 1974. Tuesday, July 13, 2004 |
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