By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    UN Secretary-General Launches Report To Break “The Cycle Of Debt Distress”
    1 day ago
    Israel-Iran War: South Africa Wants United Nations To Step In
    6 days ago
    G7 finance leaders seek non-tariff consensus in Canada, may face US pushback
    Ahead G7 Summit, Finance Ministers Seek Non-tariff Consensus In Canada, May Face US Pushback
    1 month ago
    Over 28,000 Women And Girls Killed In Gaza Since October 2023
    1 month ago
    Global Aid Cut
    New Report Reveals How Global Aid Cuts Affecting Women’s Organisations Aiding Women In Crises
    2 months ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    Tanzania: United Nations Women Strengthen Voice And Agency Of Women With Disabilities
    2 years ago
    IRC
    Conflict And Climate Change In West Africa Require Solutions To Restore People’s Right To Aid And Protection – IRC
    2 years ago
    Niger Coup: PeacePro Tackles US Institute For Singing War Song
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Ooni’s Wife, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi Takes Ile Ife Royalty To ADWIN Launch In Cote d’Ivoire
    2 weeks ago
    Independent UN Body Finds Systemic Racism Against Africans And People Of African Descent
    2 weeks ago
    Public Exit: Why South Africa Businesses Are Moving To Private Cloud
    3 weeks ago
    Cameroon Tops List Of World’s Most Neglected Displacement Crises
    4 weeks ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    VIDEO: Political Thugs Unleash Mayhem On Lagosians, Voters Run For Safety During Presidential Poll
    2 years ago
    Adeleke To Aregbesola: I Will Make Sure I Complete Your Govt’s Abandoned Projects
    2 years ago
    It’s Landmark Judgement, Lagos APC Chieftain, Prince Mohammed Hails Tinubu’s Victory At Tribunal
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Lagos LG Poll: Tunde Disco/Ganiyu Obasa Intensify Campaign In Agege
    2 days ago
    PHOTOS: Vinod Obasa Joins Other Lagos APC LG Candidates At Sanwo-Olu’s Reception
    4 days ago
    Lagos Lawmaker Praises Tinubu For Helping Nigeria Breathe Again
    3 weeks ago
    LG Election: Stakeholders Appeal To APC Not To Allow Chairmen Run For 3rd term
    2 months ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Begins Construction Of First Flyover In Akure
    2 years ago
    Celebration Of Life: Reverend Adewumi Jegede Of Later House Of God Assembly Buried Amid Pomp
    1 year ago
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    D2D Satellite Comms: Nigeria’s Space Research Agency Signs MoU With Chinese Firm, Galaxy Space
    1 week ago
    Substance Use Prevention In Focus As NDLEA, UNODC Unveil 2025 World Drug Day Activities
    2 weeks ago
    Benue: Stop the Killings, CAPPA Demands Immediate Action
    2 weeks ago
    Court Orders Flouted Again as Armed Men Escort Attempted Takeover Of Lekki Property
    2 weeks ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Come Play Naija Season 2 Finale, BB Titans, Other Shows On GOtv This Weekend
    2 years ago
    Bishop Obey-Fabiyi, Onaolapo, Back May 7 World Praise Day
    2 years ago
    Savy Henry Evicted From Nigerian Idol Season 8
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    The Drama Returns As BBNaija ‘No Loose Guard’ Reunion Premieres June 23
    6 days ago
    You Can’t Fake it — James Omekwe On MultiChoice’s Impact On African Filmmaking
    2 weeks ago
    Jkenova and Ellacentric Exit Nigerian Idol Season 10 In Emotional Farewell
    3 weeks ago
    MultiChoice Africa x African Storytelling: How Local Content Shapes Local Culture
    3 weeks ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    YSMA
    Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art and Toledo Museum of Art Launch Historic Cultural Exchange
    2 months ago
    Leadership
    CEO Shares 3 Qualities Every Effective Leader Has
    1 year ago
    ‘Artificial Nails, Wigs Attract Misfortune To Ladies’
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Noble Call to Service: Inside the Induction of 104 New Knights of St. Mulumba
    2 weeks ago
    Joining The Knighthood Brings You Closer To God -Sir Eva Njemanze
    2 weeks ago
    Africa Tech Festival Unveils Strategic Themes For 2025 Event,
    2 weeks ago
    Lagos SWAN Joins UN To Celebrate World Nutrition Month At Unilag Confab
    1 month ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    NNPCL Board Accused Of Planning Lavish Party In Rwanda Amidst N210tn Financial Scandal
    1 week ago
    Can the African Energy Bank Transform the Continent’s Refining and Downstream Future?
    2 weeks ago
    Lagos Will Continue To Lead Initiatives That Accelerate Economic Diversification – Sanwo-Olu
    1 month ago
    Afreximbank
    Afreximbank Reports Strong Performance For Q1 2025 In Line With expectations
    1 month ago
    Pan-African Payment & Settlement System
    Nigeria Unlocks Intra-African Trade With New Pan-African Payment & Settlement System Policy Boost
    2 months ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    Merck Foundation, African First Ladies Mark World Cancer Day 2023 With 110 Scholarships Of Oncology Fellowships In 25 Nations
    2 years ago
    European Heart Rhythm Association Awards Gold Medal to Footballer Iker Casillas
    2 years ago
    Jeanne Marrazzo
    International AIDS Society Welcomes Jeanne Marrazzo As New Director of US’ NIAID 
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Online Education Can Enhance Clinical Guideline Use By Over 50% 
    2 weeks ago
    The Hidden Lifeline – Blood Security And Africa’s Health Agenda By Dr Allan Pamba
    2 weeks ago
    Apepa or Arterial Blockage? The Urgency of Self-Care After 45 By Babafemi Ojudu
    3 weeks ago
    Roche Launches Diagnostics Operations In Nigeria,
    4 weeks ago
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Reading: Celebrating Wole Soyinka @ 90 By Tony Eke
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
Aa
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
  • Politics
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Health
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
  • Health
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Independent News Express > Blog > Opinion > Celebrating Wole Soyinka @ 90 By Tony Eke
Opinion

Celebrating Wole Soyinka @ 90 By Tony Eke

Last updated: 2024/07/22 at 1:30 PM
11 months ago
Share
SHARE

A torrent of tributes poured in from different parts of the world as Black Africa’s first Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka clocked 90 years penultimate weekend. Whether in speech or in writing, Soyinka’s attainments both as a writer and activist had received the most profound, commendatory appraisal from a broad spectrum of scholars, the intelligentsia, literati, the academic community, and the larger society.

I have decided to reproduce a piece titled “The Genius in Wole Soyinka” I did way back in July 2004, when this exceptionally great man attained 70 years. Excerpts:

The greatness of the life of Wole Soyinka whose corpus of literary works spans all the genres of literature is the reason for the festival of this season. It’s understandable why many people, including this writer who has followed the course of Soyinka’s literary career also joined in the mirth of the moment. We are celebrating literary creativity of an individual with a remarkable impact in an increasingly meaningless world, and not the accrual of billions of naira to individuals from less transparent sources much of which is insulated from innovative or identifiable entrepreneurial exertions.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

I cannot explain my appreciation of the peculiar course of Soyinka’s literary works without letting people into my gradual development in the rigorous nature of literary scholarship. Personally, I have experienced two-phased understanding in relation to the rigours of appreciating acclaimed literary works. As it was in those early years of my initiation into literature, first as a secondary school student in my ancestral home, Amai, and later in my Higher School Certificate (HSC) days at Government College, Ughelli, I only managed to glean the works of Soyinka and his contemporaries from a literal perspective. The quest spirit in me then was merely latent; so I could not do much other than accept the interpretations by my teachers whose approach I have seen in latter years of enhanced literary consciousness as overly simplistic, trite, warped, and denotative.

Each time I try to recollect those introductory classes in literature where such an all-important poem “Abiku” was taught on a plain level of appreciation, I just laugh at what were obvious literary infirmities of my former teachers. Perhaps, they were afflicted with thought dysfunction caused by literary shallowness, or that the hidden thoughts of Soyinka’s thematic preoccupations confounded their knowledge!

But how time flies in every aspect of life! It was not until my days in the university, especially after I had chosen literature emphasis towards the end of a three-year course in English & Literary Studies that some light in my own understanding began to illuminate the shadowy frontiers of Soyinka’s works. During that period, I quickly discovered that the tenor of Soyinka’s avant-gardist viewpoint is quite pervading, and as complex as the bible, it yields a new layer of meanings each time an individual undertakes a studious exploration of his works.

The greatness of Soyinka, our icon and Nigeria’s gift to the world, springs from his creative endeavours spanning all the genres of literature, namely prose fiction, drama, and poetry, and the adjuncts such as essays, autobiography, memoirs et cetera. Anyone conversant with literary scholarship is aware that it takes only a genius to be credited with excellence in a particular genre, much less becoming accomplished in the three genres.

Although, he is most known for drama, which ascribes the appellation of Black Africa’s Foremost Dramatist to his luminous status, Soyinka authored two novels The Interpreters and A Season of Anomie besides various collections of poems. Given the canon of over 17 plays in his authorial possession, his place in the corpus of world literature was already assured even if he had not put his creative energy to use in either prose or poetry. There lies the strength of a man with an exceptional depth of creativity that his voice and towering figure on the African continent and beyond cannot be disputed. He possesses a rare fecundity of mind that the celebrated novelists such as Chinua Achebe, Ayi Kwei Armah, and Ngugi wa Thiong’o lack in poetry and drama.

Beyond the shores of Nigeria, not all the great writers in the class of Nobel laureates excelled in more than a genre. George Benard Shaw, the second greatest English dramatist after William Shakespeare, restricted his creativity to drama like the latter whose time did not witness the birth of prose fiction until the advent of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe in 1719, almost a century after Shakespeare’s demise. Besides the volumes of poetry for which their geniuses earned acclamation, neither W.B. Yeats nor T.S. Eliot wrote any form of novel. Recipients of the Nobel awards after Soyinka such as Derek Walcott, Toni Morrison and Nadine Gordimer are reputed for using appropriate themes to advance the cause of humanity.

The complexity of Soyinka’s writing derives mostly from his uncanny rebellion against established dramaturgy in conception and presentation. His skill in the fusion of the mythic Ogun and its metaphors derived from Yoruba and, by extension, African belief system, is the single most important aspect of his dramatic essence. This was validated by the Swedish Academy, which in its citation for Soyinka’s Nobel prize in 1986, said he was a writer, “who, in a wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones, fashions the drama of existence.”

At the incipient stage of his career, numerous literary critics in the Euro-American axis were not keen on giving him a chance as he forged a relatively new style other than the predominant mode in the West. In literature, one could hardly be great without forging a new idiom with which a writer could express his perception of the world, including the physical realm and another beyond human comprehension as well as the unfathomable predilection of man for bestiality.

Soyinka’s denunciation of previous forms is discernible in a conscious attempt to communicate his individual and the African experience to a larger world audience. We have found such phenomena in the past as every literary age tends to dump the taste of the preceding era. For instance, the English Romantic age had William Wordsworth, S.T. Coleridge, Lord Byron, P.B. Shelly, John Keats among others that denounced the canons of the Neoclassical Age. The same strand is perceptible in the distinctive style of the modernist era in obvious contradistinction to the flavour of Victorian age under which the Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson blossomed in England.

In African literature, there has been a shift from the noticeable themes of cultural conflict in the pre-independence era to the disillusionment emanating from poor leadership by the successors of the colonialists on one hand and the neocolonial dominance of African countries by Western powers on the other hand. That an interrogation of the beneficial import of independence to the African countries has birthed some form of protest literature is not surprising.

In every material classification, the political activism of Soyinka in the blighted course of Nigeria has provided much lustre to his image. In true conformity to commitment in writing, Soyinka’s contribution to the cause of social justice and an envisioned egalitarian society could only pass unnoticed in the minds of persons that do not share his viewpoint. His role in this particular area as well as his creative excellence has helped to imbue us with the benefits of an enduring faith in the pursuit of scholarship. It also enhances the visible appreciation of heroism in its strict sense, particularly in the light of our current national experience in which a distortion of the concept seemed to have been legitimised in some way.

Many discerning Nigerians are witnesses to the acclaimed glory and reputation brought by Soyinka to Nigeria. We are becoming more aware that the greatness of a man is neither determined by the number of property he has acquired in various elitist districts of any geopolitical entity, nor his number of factories, nor immeasurable wealth that an opportunist masquerading as a politician could garner in a corrupt country like Nigeria.

The immortal tone of a man’s life after his sojourn must reflect how much his achievements could extricate mankind from the web in which we have been enmeshed, either arising from the unforeseen hands of ill fate or the endless tragic contrivances of man. Look at the lives of Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Jr. among others. Then look at Soyinka. What do you find? It is greatness at its greatness. It is on account of this that most of our people idolise Soyinka, who, despite being a mere mortal, would be remembered possibly like Shakespeare for whom Ben Johnson, the foremost comedian in English literature, described in a commendatory poem in 1623 that “He was not of an age but for all time.”

*Tony Eke, journalist and literatus, lives in Asaba, Delta State capital.

You Might Also Like

CELEBRATION OF LIFE: A Birthday Bash For Dr Joseph Obasanya

Flag Football: Shattering Limits and Empowering Nigerian Athletes (Part 3) By Phemmy Adetula

Democracy, Conviction, And The True Meaning Of Honor By Babafemi Ojudu

The Hidden Lifeline – Blood Security And Africa’s Health Agenda By Dr Allan Pamba

A Message To My Dear Esan People On June 12 Democracy Day By Idumonza Isidahomhen

TAGGED: Wole Soyinka
INadminNG July 22, 2024 July 22, 2024
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Telegram Email Print
Previous Article Get Your NIS Coaching Certificate And Become Licensed Football Coaches Says Lagos FA Boss
Next Article Akindele Cup Finals: Wasbak, Pentagon Queens Emerge Champions
about us

Independent News Express (iNews Express), a publication of 4Ds Nigeria Limited, is birthed out of the desires of the founding fathers to report News as it is.

We value Professionalism, Excellence, Service, Creativity and Integrity.

The Company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Newsletters
  • Deal

Categories

Find Us on Socials

© Independent News Express. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?