Wole Soyinka is well known
throughout Nigeria and the rest of the
world as a brilliant playwright, poet
and political activist. With more than
50 pieces of work, his writing includes
novels, memoirs and a wide variety of
essays. He is the first person in Africa
to win the Nobel Prize in literature,
and is respected for his willingness to
speak out against repression and
corruption. But beyond all of that,
there are still many things you may
not know about Wole Soyinka.

Though his father was an Anglican
minister, Wole was an atheist
Wole’s father, Samuel Ayodele
Soyinka, (whom he called S.A. or
“Essay”) was an Anglican minister and
headmaster of St. Peters School in
Abẹokuta. His mother, Grace Eniola
Soyinka, owned a market shop, was
active in the women’s movement in
her community and also was a
practicing Anglican. Wole, on the other
hand, was an atheist. His beliefs
contributed greatly to his writing



He’s got some pretty influential family
members

Wole’s mother, Grace, was a member
of the Ransome-Kuti family, known for
its contributions to Nigerian art,
religion, education, medicine and
politics. His cousins include activists
Beko Ransome-Kuti and Yemisi
Ransome-Kuti, musician Fela Kuti, and
Health Minister Olikoye Ransome-Kuti.


He helped found the first confraternity
in Nigeria

While pursuing a degree in English
literature, Greek, and Western history
at University College in Ibadan, Wole
helped found the Pyrates Confraternity
with six others. It was built as an
anti-corruption and justice-seeking
student organization, themes that
would play into much of his later
work.
He’s been arrested multiple times
Before he was famously arrested
during the civil war in Nigeria, he was
imprisoned in 1964 after being
accused of making political radio
broadcasts disputing published
election results.

Despite imprisonment, Soyinka was
wildly productive, writing and
producing several plays


Some of Wole’s most famous works
were written during his 22-month
imprisonment. He smuggled in
materials such as books, pens and
paper. Much of his work at this time,
unsurprisingly, was focused on
criticizing the Nigerian government
that was restricting his freedom.


Wole went into voluntary exile amid
concerns over the political situation in
Nigeria

After resigning from his professorial
duties at the University of Ibadan in
April 1971, he spent five years of
voluntary exile in Europe. During this
time, he worked as the editor of
“Transition,” Nigeria’s leading
intellectual journal.


He has been married three times and
divorced twice

He has been married to his third and
current wife, Adefolake Soyinka, since
1989 and has three children with her
(he also has children by his other
wives). Adefolake is a former student
of Wole’s.


He has never been afraid to criticize
other nations or his own
Wole is well known for making
contentious statements against other
nations, including European nations
where he lived in exile. It
demonstrates his commitment to
exposing injustice regardless of the
location, and his willingness to make
unpopular moves.

In Nigeria, he is considered a political
activist first and a playwright second

Despite his amazing body of work,
Wole’s long history of criticizing the
Nigerian government and taking
action against corruption are among
his greatest legacies. He remains an
influence on writers and activists in
Nigeria and across the world

He has been named Commander of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria

This is a Nigerian honor first
established in 1964 people who served
and benefited Nigeria. Soyinka was
awarded in 1986, the same year he
won the Nobel Prize for Literature.


SOURCE: http://afkinsider.com

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