From Lagos to Abeokuta, 80 birthday cheers for Wole Soyinka

On Sunday July 13, 2014 the ancient town of Abeokuta was alive to the rhythm of the birthday song for their illustrious son, Wole Soyinka.

The entire Egbaland stood still for the Nobel Laureate popularly called Kongi by lovers of his literary works, in a week long birthday celebration which culminates into a month long celebration taking place in different parts of the country.

Earlier that Sunday morning, a birthday lecture delivered by Abiola Irele, a professor of French Linguistics and Literature titled: ‘Wole Soyinka and the moral burden of literature’ was organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.  In the lecture, Irele, who has been a critic and scholar of Soyinka’s works shared his understanding of Soyinka as student at the University College Ibadan.

“The quintessential Soyinka that is being celebrated globally is a product of ceaseless hard work and commitment to scholarship,” says Irele.

Jeffrey Hawkins, the U.S. Consular-General in Nigeria describes Soyinka as a writer who had the moral burden to transform his society. “This he executed excellently in many of his works especially the novels: The Interpreter and The Man Died,”says Hawkins.

Dan Izevbaye, literary critic in his comment said Soyinka’s works are not elitist as claimed by some readers of his works.

“Soyinka sees literature beyond pleasure. If his language is considered elitist (as is commonly said) it means more literature teachers need further education,” argues Izevbaye.

Izevbaye suggests ways to make Soyinka’s works more reachable in schools. Some of his suggestions include staging Soyinka’s plays in schools and the further training of the language of Literature in English to teachers.

Also on that Sunday evening at Soyinka’s country home at Forest Lodge in Abeokuta, the stage was set by Crown Troupe with a performance of  ‘A Dance of the Forests,’ written by Soyinka.

The forest is made colourful with the props, lightening and costumes of the casts, each taking up their roles and putting in themselves into the drama, making it an interesting piece for everyone. The customs, songs and dance communicated the culture of the Yorubas. For many viewers, it is an opportunity to have a different interpretation of ‘A Dance of the Forests’.

The 203 casts fit into their roles perfectly as the play portrays the themes; truth, recompense, equity, justice and reconciliation. The play was directed by Tunde Awosanmi, choreographed by Peter Badejo, with Teju Kareem taking the role of the executive producer and designer.

Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ogun State, describes the drama as awesome, adding that the creative performance can only happen in Ogun State, where so much is done to truly portray the culture of the state.

 “I kept asking myself again and again how they have put this play together because I do not know when last I saw this array of colours put together. I must say I am very proud of all those that have put this play together,” he says.

He noted that the play shows the prowess of literature, adding that if he knew the play was going to be as captivating as it was, he would have put in more attention than he did and the performance was part of the efforts of Ogun State and the WS Project to bring back theatre in the state.

“With what we have demonstrated tonight, we are all encouraged and we know theatre will be made more attractive for the state,” Amosun adds.

Part of the activities of celebrating Soyinka includes the Live Annual Essay competition of the WS Project, with pertinent topics thrown open to senior secondary school students all over Nigeria and the diaspora.

The winner of the essay competition was Akpan Ewongobong Enefiok from Top Faith International School, Akwa Ibom State. The first runner up was Akinrimisi Taiwo Omolayo from Imade College, Owo, Ondo State and the second runner up was Opatola Peter from Lord’s Secondary School, Ilora, Oyo State. The winners got cash scholarships and laptop computers, while their schools were given desk top computers.

Olufunso Amosun, First Lady of Ogun State who spoke on the topic ‘Education, a Pathway to Freedom and Future, noted education empowers, assist in reducing poverty and brings about technological development and population enhancement.

She encouraged the students to acquire vocational skills in addition to their formal education, adding that with hard work, determination and perseverance there will be no limit to what they can do.

Another major event is the ‘Dialogue through Spoken Word,’ a poetry event that paraded 80 poets on stage in the course of three days with the theme, ‘Freedom of Creativity.’ International renowned masters of the genre such as Mutabaruka from Jamaica and Javon Johnson from United States among others, participated in the poetry. Also Akeem Lasisi, famous performance poet and journalist, performed a track from his recently released album, ‘Ori Agbe’ in honour of Soyinka.

Funke Osae-Brown and Ifeoma Okeke