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| Wole Soyinka |
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has expressed his surprise at reaching the age of 90.
Soyinka shared this sentiment on Monday during the 2024 edition of his International Cultural Exchange Programme, held at his ARI residence in Ijegba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Nobel Laureate explained that he chose to become a writer to address the inaccuracies in the stories he heard while growing up.
Reflecting on his actions during the military era, Prof. Soyinka clarified, “I never broke into a radio station, but sneaked in. The radio station was holding on to something that belonged to the people, and I decided to retrieve it. If that item had been played, it would have demoralized the people and established the culture of brutality.”
He also criticized Nigerians for frequently blaming the State without self-reflection.
According to him, crimes such as kidnapping and robbery are driven not by poverty or inequality, but by selfishness and the desire for a luxurious lifestyle.
The 2024 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme attracted students from various parts of the country, who participated in an essay competition on national and international topics.
