Global celebration greets the 80th birthday of the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Sunday, AKEEM LASISI writes
When age started knocking on the door of the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, some five decades ago, he sought solace in a poem which he wrote to reflect the anxieties that usually come with aging. The way many writers benefit from almost all circumstances – even if unpalatable – he had written a poem titled To my First White Hairs, which has become one of the reference works on transition from youth to adulthood.
In one of the stanzas, Soyinka notes, “THREE WHITE HAIRS! frail invaders of the undergrowth/ interpret time. I view them, wired wisps, vibrant coiled/ beneath a magnifying glass, milk-thread presages…”
Perhaps at that time, he never imagined what the entire geography of his head would eventually become. Now that he is 80, and not a strand of black hair can be spotted on the ‘cognocentric’ head, it is not known yet whether or not he is celebrating senescence with another poem. At least he could have completed the cycle with a song like To My Last Grey Hair.
Besides, in his characteristic drama, the legendary dramatist does not seem to be planning any special birthday bash for himself. Indeed, he has said that all the people and organisations planning big for the landmark birthday on Sunday, July 13, may just be on their own. While his admirers are planning to ‘rock and roll’ for him, last Saturday he gave a hint on what will happen on the D-day.
He said, “I am going into the forest to celebrate my birthday. I invite you all. But bring your own weapons, because most of them are in the wrong hands.”
This is in reference to his hunting hobby and the fact that Nigeria is currently grappling with security issues. And that was at the grand finale of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature, held at the Civic Centre, Lagos.
Yet, through sheer hard work, infectious principles and commitment to the good of mankind, Soyinka has grown larger than himself, even if not larger than life itself. That is why his 80th birthday going is echoing through the cape and the coast, with leading scholars, writers, actors, activists and millions of lovers of the arts getting involved in different parts of the world.
While the Open Door Series and International Cultural Exchange – powered by ZMirage – has been at the forefront in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan and University of Lagos are also hosting programmes, including conferences and dramatic performances. Soyinka’s acolytes, including Professors Femi Osofisan, Tony Afejuku and Emmanuel Daudaura, say he deserves all the honour he can get based on his unbroken commitment to the development ofhumanity.
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