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When I left Nigeria in 2018, the only book I took with me was “You Must Set Forth at Dawn,” by Wole Soyinka. Incidentally, I bought the book at the OOPL Abeokuta for a sum that set me back by some thousands of naira.
Looking at the book now, I’m seeing where I’ve marked all the Soyinka titles I’ve read.
There’s no doubting the fact that Kongi has fought many battles in his life, and he’s still fighting. All in the service of a people, who don’t really recognize what they want. Is it the grossly misunderstood Pyrates Confratenity? The announcement at the radio station? The visit to Biafra which led to 30-month imprisonment? The June 12 struggle which forced him to flee his country through an “alternative route”? Or the recent controversy over the celebration of an African Traditional Festival?
I mentioned just a few.
And that doesn’t disturb his creativity, humaneness or even his social life.
Thank God, he’s a global citizen. As a humanist, he speaks out to power, not minding his personal safety.
He is a lesson in courage. In many of his struggles, he could have lost his life. But he keeps trudging on. His is a lesson to the rest of us that if we speak, we may die, if we don’t, we may die.
Isn’t it better to speak the truth so that it may be written of us that we have succeeded in speaking the truth even when we are long gone?
One matter, on which I disagreed with him, however, was his supporting Mr Buhari. I didn’t see why anyone, given how Buhari treated Nigerians between 1084/85 would support him to be a democratic president.
Thank God, I was proven right.
But then, according to Yoruba mythology when we look at the gods, they are bound to make mistakes. That’s because only Olodumare is without fault. For instance, Obatala who was given the task of moulding human beings got drunk on palm wine. That’s why palm wine is taboo for adherents of Obatala.
However, when we look at Professor Wole Soyinka who turns 89 today, I think he deserves a place above the gods but below Olodumare!
Congratulations to the professor of professors!
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