Professor Wole Soyinka |
Prof. Soyinka
disclosed this on Saturday inside Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State
while speaking at the formal inauguration of The Wole Soyinka Foundation. The foremost playwright revealed that
the new book is about his vengeance against public lies peddled by certain
individuals against his person. The lies, he said, were made worse by the
internet and some online publications.
Prof. Soyinka
and former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, have taken swipes at each
other over the latter’s assessment of him in his book titled “My Watch”.
Aftermath of the release of the former leader’s controversial book where he had
made some claims against the playwright, Soyinka, at some fora, had described
Obasanjo as a liar.
Also in May,
angry Soyinka lashed out at various online portals, describing them as
“Internet infestations”, for alleging that he described the Igbo as a “greedy”
group while delivering a lecture at the Hutchins Centre, Harvard University,
United States. “Anyone who believes what I am alleged to have said must be a
moron,” livid Soyinka stated in a terse statement in reaction to the then
widely circulated claims.
These two
annoying instances, Soyinka said, spurred him to put his response in the new
130–page literary work. The book, he opined, is more of a curative as he
advised that if anyone feels vengeful, he/she should read the book and will
definitely be alright. “The book is purgatory and it is
like a homeopathic medicine,” said the literary giant.
Speaking on
the foundation, Soyinka said all artistes deserve a place where they can go and
hide to preserve their sanity. He disclosed that he would have gone clinically
insane at a time if he hadn’t found a place to go and hide to create. Thus the
foundation will be offering a residential fellowship for the young artistes, a
place where they can reflect, research and deplore their creativity.
Also in his
remark, the host governor, Ibikunle Amosun,
expressed excitement at the formal inauguration of the foundation which he
described as long overdue. The governor said the state is ever proud to have a
great icon like Soyinka, and as a citizen of the state, Nigeria and the world
at large, he deserves to be celebrated. He announced his administration
readiness to support the foundation and called on its board and trustee members
to let the state government know how it can participate in the running of the
foundation so that it can achieve its set aims.
In his
contribution during the launching of the foundation, His Royal Majesty, the
Alake of Egbaland and Vice Chairman of the foundation, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, also expressed his commitment towards the
success of the foundation. He then said donors to the initiative should be
assured that they are investing wisely.
The Wole
Soyinka Foundation will bring writers, artistes, scholars, researchers and
other creative thinkers together in an optimally conducive environment for
reflection and creativity. Its junior and senior fellows will spend some time
in the residence at a time during which they would be free of all constraints.
At the
inauguration, Ifedapo Akinola was
announced as the first junior resident while Prof. Obiageli Okigbo also makes history as the first senior
resident of the Wole Soyinka Foundation.
The
inauguration attracted top government officials, literary icons, and academics.
Aside Edo State governor, Adams
Oshiohmole who presented the copies of the new book to the public, the
event also had in attendance former governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Rotimi
Amaechi (Rivers) both minister designate; Donald Duke, former Cross River State governor; Professors J.P Clark, Kole Omotosho and Wale Okediran.
Others are Dr. Doyin Abiola, Yemisi Ransome Kuti, Mrs.
Lola Akande, Lagos State commissioner for women affairs and poverty
alleviation; Kehinde Bamigbetan,
Special Adviser to Lagos State governor on community and communication and Mrs. Jumoke Okoya Thomas among others.
While some
clips of the much anticipated “Ake”, the biopic on Prof. Soyinka, produced by Dapo Adeniyi, was screened at the
inauguration, there were poetry recitations by Akeem Lasisi, Jumoke Verissimo, Wana Udobang and Igoni Barrett.
Also, Mr. Kunle Ajibade, executive editor, TheNews/PMNEWS, read excerpts from one
of Soyinka’s books, while famed writer and author, Odia Ofeimum, presented to
the guest of honour, Soyinka, a gift of framed picture.
There was
also a dance drama by the 18-member teen group, “The Footprints of David
Group”. The kids from the Footprints School, Gbagada, Lagos wowed the audience
with their well-choreograph dance and traditional songs.(pmnews)
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