- published: 26 Sep 2016
- views: 75
Akinwande Oluwole "Wole" Babatunde Soyinka (Yoruba: Akinwándé Oluwo̩lé Babátúndé S̩óyinká, pronounced [wɔlé ʃójĩká]; born 13 July 1934) is a Nigerian playwright and poet. He was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature, the first African to be honored in that category.
Soyinka was born into a Yoruba family in Abeokuta. After study in Nigeria and the UK, he worked with the Royal Court Theatre in London. He went on to write plays that were produced in both countries, in theatres and on radio. He took an active role in Nigeria's political history and its struggle for independence from Great Britain. In 1965, he seized the Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service studio and broadcast a demand for the cancellation of the Western Nigeria Regional Elections. In 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War, he was arrested by the federal government of General Yakubu Gowon and put in solitary confinement for two years.
Soyinka has been a strong critic of successive Nigerian governments, especially the country's many military dictators, as well as other political tyrannies, including the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe. Much of his writing has been concerned with "the oppressive boot and the irrelevance of the colour of the foot that wears it". During the regime of General Sani Abacha (1993–98), Soyinka escaped from Nigeria via the "NADECO Route" on a motorcycle. Living abroad, mainly in the United States, he was a professor first at Cornell University and then at Emory University in Atlanta, where in 1996 he was appointed Robert W. Woodruff Professor of the Arts. Abacha proclaimed a death sentence against him "in absentia". With civilian rule restored to Nigeria in 1999, Soyinka returned to his nation. He has also taught at the universities of Oxford, Harvard and Yale.
The interview with Wole Soyinka was conducted by MO* journalist Stefaan Anrys as part of the BOZAR 'Meet The Writer' series. BOZAR, Wednesday 21 September 2016 www.mo.be Photos © Brecht Goris
Video Credit: Al Jazeera For copyright related Issues please contact: viewpointvisuals@gmail.com Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has, again, explained his support for Biafran agitators. Soyinka said the Igbo people have been so wronged that they have no choice than to consider opting out of Nigeria. Prof. Soyinka spoke on Al Jazeera, yesterday where he shed light on his support for Biafra agitators. “I am very much pro- Biafra because I recognise that the Igbo have been wronged desperately.
JOHANNESBURG, 01 December 2016 - African literary icon Wole Soyinka says he's cut up and renounced his US green card, following the election of Donald Trump as that country's president. Soyinka says this year's election signals that the US is regressing.
Nobel Prize winner and political activist Wole Soyinka addressed the graduates of Westminster College in Fulton, MO on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Soyinka used President Obama’s 2008 campaign theme to remind graduating seniors of their responsibility to never be complacent in life, their careers, and in guiding the nation’s political future.
Wole Soyinka is an author, poet, activist and playwright from Nigeria. He won the Nobel peace prize of 1986 in literature. He is a smith of words and with powerful writings he fought the dictatorial government of Sani Abacha but at some point he sought asylum abroad for fear of his life.
For more information log on to http://www.channelstv.com
I will tear up my American green card if Donald Trump wins the American election says Prof. Wole Soyinka, first African Nobel Laureate
Professor Wole Soyinka , considered by many as Africa's best living writer, has been one of the staple figures throughout Nigeria's post-independence politics. Jon Snow interviews him, and begins by asking about the missing schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram.
The sun was in clouds. The sun looked out. Exposed a trail of mist and spouts.
Ships followed the ancient lead. Deceiving friends under the sea.
Wow, imagine that? They won't fight back. I got a theory on that.
A whale's heart is as big as a car. A whaler's thought must be smudged by the dark.
They won't fight back. I'm sure they know how. Means they love or are too proud.
They won't fight back. I'm sure they know how. Means they love or too proud.
They swim. It's really free. It's a beautiful thing to see. They sing.
Hunters of land. Hunters of sea. Exploit anything for money.
I refer to anybody that takes advantage of what that is free.
They won't fight back.
It's only a thought that makes it seem right. What you don't see is because of your sight.
Take what you want. Kill what you can. That's just one way of the mind of man.
Take their lives. Sell their parts but there is not taking of their hearts.
If I was lost at sea. That harpoon boat in front of me. It's the whale I'd like to be.
They won't fight back.
They don't know how.