Email

Professor Wole Soyinka is 81 years old

Wole Soyinka (Bella Naija )

In 1986 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature. The same year he was awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR.

Wole Soyinka (Bella Naija )

The great literary icon Professor Wole Soyinka is 81 years old today.

Born in Abeokuta, Ogun state, Wole Soyinka is only rivalled in popularity and impact with the late Chinua Achebe in terms of literary contribution in Nigeria.

In 1986 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature. The same year he was awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR.

A vocal human rights activist, Wole Soyinka has been in the forefront of opposition of several military regimes in Nigeria. In 1967 he was arrested by the General Yakubu Gowon led government and was placed in solitary confinement for two years.

During the regime of General Sani Abacha from 1993-1998, Wole Soyinka left the country on exile.

Some of his famous works are The Lion and the Jewel, Abiku, The Trials of Brother Jero, The Man Died: Prison Notes, and Aké: The Years of Childhood.

Happy birthday Professor Wole Soyinka.

Related posts

Jussie Smollett’s conviction in 2019 attack on himself is overturned

Kenya drops airport deal with Adani Group after US indictments

International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas officials