- Prof. Wole Soyinka celebrates 90th birthday with students
- Soyinka clarifies radio station incident: "I sneaked in."
- Soyinka: Crimes stem from selfishness, not poverty
Celebrated Nigerian playwright, novelist, poet, and essayist, Professor Wole Soyinka, marked his 90th birthday on Saturday, July 13. Born on July 13, 1934, Soyinka reflected on his life’s journey and writing career during the 2024 edition of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme. The event, held at his ARI residence in Ijegba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday, July 15, brought together 383 students who engaged in a question-and-answer session with the literary icon.
When asked about his decision to become a writer, Soyinka revealed, “I decided to be a writer to correct some anomalies from stories I heard while growing up.” He also addressed a controversial incident during the military era, clarifying, “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 demoralised the people and established the culture of brutality.”
Soyinka also shared his thoughts on societal issues, urging Nigerians to self-reflect rather than solely criticizing the State. He emphasized that crimes such as kidnapping and robbery stem from selfishness and the desire for a luxurious life, rather than poverty or inequality.
During the event, Soyinka expressed gratitude to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his efforts in developing the environment around his residence and preserving it from degradation. This gesture, he noted, has contributed to his decision to remain in the country.
