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Tag: Wole Soyinka

  • Lagos at 50: Wole Soyinka, others grace Jide Kosoko’s ‘Ogun Ahoyaya’

    Lagos at 50: Wole Soyinka, others grace Jide Kosoko’s ‘Ogun Ahoyaya’

    As part of the ongoing Lagos at 50 celebrations, a stage play, Ogun Ahoyaya (The Boiling Battle) opened to guests last Tuesday at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

    A reenactment of the 18th century Lagos, Ogun Ahoyaya follows the life of the traditional ruler of Eko Kingdom, Oba Akintoye (played by Jide Kosoko) and his warring uncle, Kosoko.

    The presentation opened with a rendition of birthday songs to Lagos at 50. Song after song explored the beauty of Lagos as a commercial hub, a land of plenty, occupied by good people.

    Ogun Ahoyaya highlights the richness of the lifestyle and culture of the Awori people, their mannerisms and peculiarities.

    In that era, Prince Akintoye is the rightful heir to the Lagos throne. Legend has it that the passage of his father and elder brother in quick succession leave a vacuum to be filled.

    However, as portrayed in Ogun Ahoyaya, the conniving Eletu Odibo (the Prime Minister), schemes his way towards making sure that Kosoko is crowned the Oba of Eko.

    Akintoye is sacked from his palace and quickly goes into hiding. However, to get back to his rightful throne, he signs a treaty with the visiting explorers from the Queen’s land.

    They agree to abolish slave trade, bring an end to human sacrifice, and that the white man would be allowed to propagate his religion. On these terms only will the explorers support Akintoye’s claim to the throne.

    In the first battle, the foreign invaders were pushed back under the warrior, Oshodi’s command. However, they regrouped and came back with a superior firepower. The shelling that followed left many dead in their wake and ensured the sacking of Oba Kosoko.

    This in turn paves the way for a new era, leading to the birth of what has come to be known as Lagos to this day.

    Laced with a high dose of humor, Ogun Ahoyaya depicts Lagos as a heritage that has survived the dynamics of change.

    The humor in the drama further makes for an interesting watch. For instance upon arrival, the Queen’s representative speaks with Prince Akintoye through an interpreter. He tells him that they have four issues to discuss and the interpreter, in his wisdom, tells Akintoye that the white man is demanding for isu merin, which translates to four yams.

    Interestingly, some of the cultural practices in 18th century Eko still hold sway in modern day Lagos.

    Present at the stage presentation were Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, filmmaker of repute, Fred Amata and a host of others.

    Among other popular actors in Yoruba theatre and film sector featured in the play are Yinka Quadri, Segun Remi (kanran), Fatai Odua, Yemi Solade, Bidemi Kosoko and Taiwo Hassan who are the play’s lead characters.

  • Soyinka urges EFCC to prosecute detractors on fight against corruption

    Soyinka urges EFCC to prosecute detractors on fight against corruption

    Nigeria’s Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, on Saturday in Lagos, called for the prosecution of those he described as detractors in the fight against corruption in the country.

    Prof. Soyinka made the call at the opening of his Vision of the Child Art Exhibition, 2017 edition, at Freedom Park, Lagos with the theme: Enhance the Heritage; Advance the Future, in celebrating Lagos at 50.

    He said that most times, the anti-corruption agency was sent on the wrong track or wild goose chase, resulting to no prosecution.

    “When we talk about corruption, is it not time we legislate against detractors, who deliberately create distraction. Say for instance, the money just found in Lagos.

    ‘‘One governor claimed that the money belongs to his state government, claiming a proceed from the sale of some turbines and so on.

    ‘‘It is a criminal act of distraction. He knew very well that he was lying, that the money was not his, but belongs to someone else.

    ‘‘Obviously, acting in the interest of those accused of corruption that to me is connivance and collaboration with corrupt people.

    ‘‘I think such people should be criminalised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” he said.

    Soyinka, who commended the art works of the children, expressed the hope that with children exposing the corruption acts of the adults Nigeria would be in for better days.

    Speaking , the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, said the commission’s operation was not limited to investigation and prosecution of offenders, but also to enlighten the public on the dangers of corruption.

    Magu said the painting exhibition was one way to educate and enlighten people about corruption, stressing that the paintings exposed some ways in which adults were involved in corrupt practices.

    “My views of the Nigerian child, from the across the plains, the hills, the forests and the swamps of Nigeria are those of innocence and boundless creativity.

    ‘‘However, like most of the older generation, many of our youths seem also to be trapped in cocoons of corruption, which have built around them.

    “However, Professor Soyinka’s “Vision of the Child” project and the sheer breadth and depth of these paintings by these youngsters, demonstrate very well that our children have an acute awareness of what is going on around them and are breaking free of the shackles of corruption.

    “They also show the determination of the younger generation for their voices to be heard.

    ‘‘The uncomfortable questions they are asking us are; how and why did we allow this beautiful country to be turned into the cesspit of corruption?

    “These paintings speak to all strata of our society and to every flank of the war against corruption and the common message I see running through all of them is: we will never give up on the ideals of a just and equitable society.

    “The vision I see so eloquently expressed in these wonderful pieces of art is that of the irrepressible Nigerian spirit, refusing to be put down and reaching out for the Nigeria of our collective dreams: the Nigeria where our commonwealth is used for our common good and not looted by a few greedy, self-centred lot.

    “I can confirm to you that corruption is already fighting back.

    ‘‘But, even though massive resources have been deployed to fight back at EFCC, we draw strength and encouragement to carry on from the likes of these children and Prof Wole Soyinka.

    ‘‘We draw the courage to soldier on from millions of ordinary Nigerians whose desires are for equity and social justice,” he said.

    Magu said that the EFCC was not personal in the discharge of its mandate; stressing that its personnel only fear God, with the guiding principles by the Rule of Law and the overriding interest of the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 38 students selected from different schools, participated in literary and painting works at the exhibition. (NAN)

  • Soyinka to Buhari: Make your health status public

    Soyinka to Buhari: Make your health status public

    Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Friday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to make his health status public to Nigerians, saying the President is a public property.

    Speaking at a programme in Lagos, Soyinka said “why is the President hiding his state of health? He’s supposed to understand he’s public property. Me, I’m still a private property, that’s why I’m not in Aso Rock.

    “Once you are in Aso Rock, or you occupy a similar position, you have a responsibility to come out frankly to your citizens. Guarding your state of health like Donald Trump is guarding his tax returns is not what we expect from a Nigerian President. Let him address the nation and stop all these speculations which create unnecessary political manipulations among other things.”

  • African Drums Festival commences in Abeokuta

    The African Drums Festival commenced in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Thursday with more than 20 cultural troupes from about 13 countries from the continent in attendance.

    The festival, which is an expanded form of the maiden edition of the Nigerian Drums Festival held in Abeokuta in 2016, also drew participants from Haiti and observers from Dallas in the United States.

    The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in his remarks described the festival as “a development worthy of emulation by other states.’’

    He noted that such festival would further invigorate the strides of the government in tourism investment and development.

    “The Muhammadu Buhari -led administration is determined to pursue with relentless vigour the diversification of our present mono reliance on an oil economy to massive investment in non-oil sectors   like agriculture, solid minerals and tourism.” he said.

    Mohammed, who was represented by the Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr Tar Ukor, noted that such festivals would promote pan-African unity and increased inter – African economic trade as well as enhanced local value chain benefits.

    “This festival will also promote inter-African leisure travel and the renaissance of our African cultural milestones in contributing toward  civilisation.

    “It will engender cultural reawakening in Africa on shared values and fraternal solidarity within the region,’’ he said.

    Gov. Ibikunle Amosun said the festival was a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people of Ogun and to also stamp Nigeria on the world map.

    He gave an assurance that the state would continue to explore different aspects of the Nigerian culture with a view to promoting and preserving them.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urged states to focus on other aspects of the Nigerian culture with a view to propagating them.

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, noted that drums occupy an important place in   Yoruba culture.

    “Drums are used to wake Yoruba monarchs early in the morning reminding them of their oaths to adjudicate among their subjects without fear or favour.

    “Drums are important tools that accompany monarchs and warriors to the warfront and act as source from which they draw encouragement and courage as well as indicate to them when to withdraw or advance into battle.

    “Drums are also used to announce the deaths of some important personalities in Yorubaland,” he said.

    Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, said rhythms from drums “are enchanting.’’

    He described as erroneous the belief that culture involves some demonic and satanic practices.

    Soyinka, who commended the Ogun government for the initiative, noted that many great things in Nigeria began from Ogun.

     

  • Holyfield spars Asiwaju Tinubu in Lagos Charity Boxing Bout

    Holyfield spars Asiwaju Tinubu in Lagos Charity Boxing Bout

    Legendary five-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Evander Holyfield will feature in May, in the most anticipated exhibition boxing match that will pit him against former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT).

    According to a statement by Foluke Michael, the Project Manager of the fight, tagged “Rhumbles in Lagos’’, the match will hold on 25 May at the Eko Atlantic City and will be beamed live to the world. Holyfield is 54, while Tinubu is 65.

    Tinubu: hopes to knock down Holyfield

    The charity event is the first of its kind on the African continent, she said.

    It will be refereed by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

    Tinubu in his endorsement of the BAT vs Holyfield bout, said: “I can’t wait to knock Evander down. I’m the real champion of the world!’’

    The private sector-initiated event is designed as a contribution to the 50thanniversary celebration of the creation of Lagos State under the ongoing project, Lagos @50, chaired by Soyinka.

    “Significantly, it is aimed at bringing world attention to some health-related issues in Africa, and will focus on cases such as Autism in Children, Breast Cancer, Mental Illness and HIV/AIDS and River Blindness.

    Foluke said it will also especially focus on the plight of Africans living with Disabilities among others,” it said.

    The event will donate five 40ft. containers of medical and relief materials worth over $2 million dollars to Lagos State Government and other neighbouring states, she said.

    Part of the proceeds from the event would benefit not-for-profit organisations and agencies in Lagos which cater to, and were engaged in research programmes aimed at eradicating these medical conditions.

    The “Real Deal” Evander Holyfield was billed to arrive in Lagos in May, and he would engage children and youths in the course of his visit.

    The charity fight is promoted by ACI Entertainment and Bishop Entertainment Consult based in Atlanta, Georgia.

  • Indomie’s cash for scholarship promo kicks off

    Indomie’s cash for scholarship promo kicks off

    Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Instant noodles has announced the kick-off of yet another exciting consumer enabling promotion tagged “Indomie Cash for Scholarship Promo” which is expected to run up till the month of April 2017.

    Consumers of Indomie Instant Noodles are expected to participate by collecting and cutting all 18 letters from Indomie Noodles packs to complete the phrase “INDOMIE LIKE NO OTHER”. After presenting the 18 letters that form the phrase at designated redemption centres consumers stand the chance of being rewarded with prizes such as premium brand bicycles, 150,000 Naira worth of scholarships to support their education.

    Speaking about the Promo, Brand Manager, Indomie Instant Noodles, Mr Amber Yadav, said: “the cash for scholarship promo is borne out of Indomie’s desire to enable consumers to achieve their dreams of a better life for tomorrow. Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and Tafawa Balewa might not have achieved greatness without education and Indomie believes an educated person is better equipped to make better choices relating to the quality of life and even brands they consume, such as Indomie.”

    The Group Public Relations and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr Tope Ashiwaju also explained that the Cash for Scholarship promo is another opportunity for consumers to be appreciated by Indomie.

    According to Tope “the modality for winning in this promo is effortless. All that is required if for the consumer to collect different letters contained in each promo pack till they complete the 18 letters that make up the sentence ‘INDOMIE LIKE NO OTHER’. Once these 18 letters are complete, they win instant prizes of bicycles and scholarship worth 150, 000 Naira at any of our redemption centres” stated Ashiwaju.

    Ashiwaju, therefore, urged all consumers of the brand to participate in the promo by continuously cutting and collecting the required 18 Letters till they eventually become winners, as the promo was specifically designed with the aim of supporting consumer to achieve their dreams of a better and quality life.

    Indomie is, however, not new to providing scholarships to its teeming consumers as the brand recently offered twelve Postgraduate students from different Universities across the country scholarship worth N450, 000 each in the Indomie MSc Nutrition Scholarship Awards 2016.

    The brand has continued to focus on its greatest assets which are an informed consumer and provision of unmatched quality products; these brand priorities have seen the Indomie retain its leadership position in the marketplace and endear the brand jealously into the hearts of informed consumers who always go for the best.

  • Soyinka to Police: Don’t stop protest against Buhari

    Soyinka to Police: Don’t stop protest against Buhari

    Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka on Sunday berated the Police for attempting to stifle the planned nationwide protest slated for Monday against the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration causing hardship to the people.

    He advised the Police not do anything that would abridge the right of Nigerians to embark on the planned nationwide protest, describing the attempt by the police “as a huge disappointment,a disservice to the cause of democracy”.

    Hip-popartiste, Innocent Idibia, also known as Tuface, who was at the vanguard of the protest had called off the rally on Saturday citing “Security challenges”

    But in a statement issued on Sunday titled, “Again at risk-The rights of lawful assemblage”, Prof. Soyinka said he has sent a message to the Inspector Generalof Police (IGP), through the Lagos State Police Commissioner, urging him to respect and safeguard the constitutional rights of the people to freedom of expression.

    “I hope that, even at this eleventh hour, legality and the democratic imperative will prevail”.

    Soyinka noted that from the beginning, the organizers had cited quite an extensive list of areas of concern and demands for urgent attention from the Buhari administration.

    “I do not know of any citizens of civilized community who do not subscribe to the fundamental right of the freedom of expression in any form, as long as it is peaceful, and non-injurious to humanity”, he said.

    The noblel laureate said he found “the Police attempt to reverse the hands of the democratic clock more appalling at atime when open demonstrations are taking place all over the world against the policies of a recently elected president of the United States, whose democratic formula this nation allegedly serves as Nigeria’s adopted model.

  • Soyinka faults Buhari, El-Rufai on Southern Kaduna violence

    Soyinka faults Buhari, El-Rufai on Southern Kaduna violence

    Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday condemned the handling of the Southern Kaduna violence by President Muhammadu Buhari and the state Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai.

    Soyinka, who criticized the admission by El -Rufai that he paid the perpetrators of the violence to stop the carnage, said “the word religion these days is likely to induce anxiety leading to trauma rather than solace and the consolation of spirituality which many religions claim for themselves.”

    At the launch of the book Religion and the Making of Nigeria in Abuja, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also lamented non-prosecution of perpetrators of religious violence and other high profile murder cases in the country.

    Prof. Mrs. Bolanle Awe also decried how Islam and Christianity have subjugated Nigerian women who were  prominent social, political and economic leaders in pre-colonial times.

    The Nobel Laureate said, “What astonished me was not the admission by the governor but that of others at such governmental response to atrocity.

    “There was nothing new about it. If you ask why Buhari did not act fast enough when these events take place, which degrade us as human beings, well it is perhaps he has been waiting for the governor of that state to send money to the killers first for them to stop the killing.”

    Soyinka said it was no longer enough for religious leaders to simply condemn violence perpetrated by their followers.

    He added: “The sitting president of this nation, Buhari once said ‘If you don’t kill corruption in this nation, corruption would kill us.’ I would like to transfer that cry from the moral zone to the terrain of religion. If we do not tame religion in this nation, religion would kill us.

    “I do not say kill religion though. I wouldn’t mind a bit if that mission could be undertaken surgically; painlessly perhaps under anesthesia effectively sprayed all over the nation or perhaps during an induced pouch of religious ecstasy.

    “However, one has to be realistic. Only the religiously possessed or committed would deny the obvious. The price that many have paid not just within this society but by humanity in general makes one wonder if the benefits have really been more than the losses.

    “I have quite often imagine what the world would be if religion had never been invented. Can one think of any landscape without religious architecture? What went wrong? What has gone wrong? When where and how did religion become a killing machine? The book under consideration does not pretend to attend to those issues.”

  • Winners emerge in Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting

    Winners emerge in Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting

    WINNERS have emerged in the 11th Wole Soyinka Investigative Reporting Awards. The event which held yesterday night in Lagos was attended by dignitaries including Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka and Prof Ropo Sekoni.

    Mr Kabiru Abdullahi Yusuf, Board Chair and Executive Director, Trust Media  was bestowed with the  lifetime award for journalistic excellence. He was presented with the award by the Grand patron of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Prof Wole Soyinka.

    The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) got the 2016 Anti-Corruption defender of the year  award for active engagement in procurement monitoring in the  civic society space.

    Mojeeb Alabi of New Telegraph emerged winner in the print category with his story titled “Inside Nigeria’s budget of fraud”.

    Sebastine Ebhuomhan of National mirror and  Tobi Aworinde were runners up in same  the category.

    Fisayo Soyombo of The Cable was  the biggest winner of the night having emerged the WSCIJ- Nigeria Investigative Journalist of the  year. He also won the  online category with his five part series on ” Forgotten Soldiers ” and got  commended in the same category with an under cover report on Nigerian Customs. Femi Owolobi, also of the Cable was a runer up in the online category.

    Kunle Ajayi of Daily Independent was named the winner of the Photo category. Ayodele Ojo of The Sun was also commended in the same category.

  • Trump: Soyinka throws away his U.S. green card

    Trump: Soyinka throws away his U.S. green card

    Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has thrown away his United States residency green card.

    Shortly before the United States presidential election, Prof. Soyinka had vowed to give up his permanent US residency over a Donald Trump victory to protest against the Republican billionaire’s campaign promises to get tough on immigration.

     ”I have already done it. I have disengaged (from the United States). I have done what I said I would do,” the 82-year-old told AFP on the sidelines of an education conference at the University of Johannesburg.

    “I had a horror of what is to come with Trump… I threw away the (green) card, and I have relocated, and I’m back to where I have always been” — meaning his homeland Nigeria.

    Soyinka, rights activist, playwright, novelist and poet won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986 and has been a regular teacher at US universities, including Harvard, Cornell and Yale.

    [blog_posts style=”m2″ share=”on” display=”category” category=”128″ count=”1″ pagination=”on” load_more_count=”3″ ad_count=”3″]At the same time, he said he would not discourage others from applying for a green card.

    “It’s useful in many ways. I wouldn’t for one single moment discourage any Nigerian or anybody from acquiring a green card… but I have had enough of it,” he said.

    Soyinka, a rights activists, was jailed in 1967 for 22 months during Nigeria’s civil war.

    He was reported to have recently completed a term as scholar-in-residence at New York University’s Institute of African American Affairs.

    Obtaining the U.S. Permanent Resident Card, otherwise known as “Green Card”, confers on the  holder equal rights with the U.S. citizens to have access to service and immigration benefits, including permission to reside and take employment in America.

    Valuable document, you say? Well, that is the document the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has just thrown into the trash bin. The foremost playwright has just made good his threat to tear up the ‘valuable document’ to protest Mr. Donald Trump’s election as U.S. President.

    Although, the poet did not openly declare support for candidates of the two major parties in the election, Soyinka’s personal grudge for Mr. Trump stemmed from the latter’s uncharitable racial comments to spite black folks and Hispanics.

    “The moment they announce his (Mr. Trump’s) victory, I will cut my green card myself and start packing up,” Soyinka said on November 2.

    After Mr. Trump was announced winner of the election, some young Nigerians on social media went vociferous in reminding the Nobel Laureate of his “August Promise”. Soyinka responded, asking the youths to go back to school. He described those urging him to tear up his Green Card as “noisome creatures, the nattering nit-wits of Internet”.

    Soyinka said the youths were ignorant of his antecedent, saying their ignorant comments made him feel embarrassed for “occupying the same national space” as them.

    Soyinka to ‘cut’ U.S. Green card if trump wins

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