Reminiscence: I never broke into radio station during military era, but sneaked in to retrieve offensive material, says Soyinka

The Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka has explained that contrary to report that he broke into radio station during the military era, he sneaked into the station because the station was holding on to something that belonged to the people, and had to retrieve it.

Penpushing reports shed light on the development while answering questions from students at the 2024 edition of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme held at Prof. Soyinka’s ARI residence, Ijegba, Abeokuta

The literary icon emphasized that If that item had been played, it would have demoralised the people and established the culture of brutality, hence, his resolved to retrieve the material, adding that he never envisage that he could attain 90 years

“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 demoralised the people and established the culture of brutality’, he said

Penpushing further reports that Soyinka chided Nigerians for always criticising the state while refusing to examine themselves, pointing out that crimes like kidnapping and robbery, among others, were not because of poverty or inequality, but selfishness and the desire to live a luxurious life.

The Nobel Laureate explained to the students that he decided to be a writer to correct some anomalies from stories he listened to while growing up, just as he lauded Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun for helping in developing the environment around his abode and saving it from degradation.

Penpushing also reports that the 2024 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme drew students from different parts of the country who participated in an essay competition on national and international topics.

Meanwhile, out of the 383 students who participated in the competition, 90 were chosen and later pruned to nine which include Alabi Oluwanifemi who eventually emerged the best essayist, Okoye Collins John came second, while Adebusi Adeoluwa finished third.

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