The world celebrates the inimitable literary icon and humanist, Professor Akínwándé Olúwolé Sóyínká at the graceful age of 90, today; deservedly for the many ennobling caps he has worn and still symbolises. Professor Soyinka is a foremost Nigerian intellectual; distinguished by his unconventional personality and carriage; adored for his originality; and revered globally for his literary profundity.

Soyinka is, no doubt, worthy of the many garlands of celebrations that edify boundaries of humanity. Soyinka is not only phenomenal for his deeply penetrating intellectual works; his personality perfectly connects the gait of the gown with the ingenuity of the town. It is indeed much delight to share in the celebration of a giant who combines literary creativity as an exceptional poet, playwright and prosaist with the vocation of hunting, art collection and music while unfailing in his devotion to Ogun (the deity of warfare) and his cherished pastime as a wine connoisseur. It is indeed cheering that an assortment of events ushering the entrance of the maverick academic, cultural enthusiast, social crusader into the nonagenarian league fittingly resonates on the global stage.

Professor Soyinka is a man of great distinction who has earned recognitions and decorated for his many achievements and contributions to the cause of humanity. It is to the credit of the first Nobel Laureate of Sub-Saharan African descent to have invested quality time as well as enormous passion and energy into pursuing the ideal of humanity which he holds dear as leveler for a just and egalitarian society. It is therefore not by accident that Soyinka, in one of his many works decades ago, asserted that “justice as the first condition for humanity”. At 90, therefore, Soyinka should be sufficiently satisfied that he neither betrayed his conviction nor wavered in holding his cherished values close to heart; even if displeased that his home country, Nigeria and by extension the African Continent still remain in the woods.

History would not forget Soyinka’s decades of courageous sacrifices for the unity and progress of his homeland, Nigeria; engaging in a number of struggles to assert the liberty of the people. It is not out of place that a number of individuals would disagree with or despise Soyinka for the distinct methodology he deploys for his crusades. There is however, to a large extent, the consensus that he never sat on the fence or indulged in mute indifference whenever history beckons on men of conscience to stand to be counted on the side of justice and in defence of collective sanity often assailed by rancorous politicking and failure of governance. Whichever way the approach to the many struggles of Soyinka in support of social justice is perceived, he has left no one in doubt that those who genuinely love humanity don’t go to sleep when shared civility is trampled upon; particularly by a few privileged individuals who assume responsibility over common patrimony and commonwealth either on account of democratic authorization or by reason of imposition as was the case in the days of military rule.

It is therefore noteworthy that Soyinka has remained unflagging as a beacon for the cause of justice even at the risk of personal inconvenience and threat to his life. His engagement against bad politics and poor governance, which necessitated confrontation with authorities, have clearly demonstrated his uncanny passion and patriotic zeal for the overriding interest of the society. Two of Soyinka’s memoirs namely “The man Died” and “You Must Set Forth at Dawn” should serve to remind future generations that building a society founded on justice and equity comes with responsibility from genuinely patriotic citizens whose conviction must come with a measure of courage.
His other works, in books, lectures and poems have been no less profound for their depth and focus on the travails of humankind.

It is on record that when he was once asked to give a public lecture on tobacco smoking and prevalence of cancer, he spent the better part of the time in analyzing how misdeeds by public officers entrusted with public good have gradually destroyed public treasure, leaving the society comatose. He reportedly concluded the lecture, in a few minutes, by reminding his large audience that the link between smoke and cancer had been sufficiently established to warrant that every individual should take responsibility for his or her health. Expectedly, his conclusion was an anti-climax for those, including newsmen, who came in anticipation of a biological dissertation by the Nobel laureate.

Soyinka’s role in the ‘Mystery Gunman’ saga of the First Republic, his dangerous expeditions during the civil war era, the persistent advocacy through which he kept political actors on their toes in the Second Republic and through the decades of military rule as well as the struggle for the revalidation of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential elections provide treasured testimonies which exude his deep sense of attachment to his fatherland. It is in furtherance of his patriotic passion that Soyinka accepted to serve as the founding Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) drawing from his pioneering experience as the Special Marshal of the Oyo State Road Safety Corps in the Second Republic.

Without doubt therefore, Nigeria cannot venerate the man Wole Soyinka enough for his brilliant and courageous contributions to the cause of nation building. Soyinka deserves as many epitaphs as had been conferred on him. At 90, Soyinka admirably has shown little sign of being tired; but, more than any recognition he may be given for the many sacrifices and honour he has done to his fatherland, he would be a lot happier to see, while yet alive, the fulfilment of the ideals he has propagated during his lifetime for the emergence of a new Nigeria on the path of unassailable greatness. We wish Professor Wole Soyinka many more years of good health and inner strength to contribute more to the promotion of hum

The post Wole Soyinka, our own William Shakespeare, @ 90 appeared first on Guardian Nigeria News.

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