Nigerian playwright and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has revealed the motive behind his covert entry into a radio station during the military era.
Soyinka explained that the government was in possession of something that rightfully belonged to the people, and he felt compelled to reclaim it.
He emphasized that his actions were driven by a desire to prevent the broadcast of content that would have demoralized the public and reinforced a culture of brutality.
Reflecting on his life, Soyinka expressed surprise at reaching the age of 90. Naija News reports that Soyinka, born on July 13, 1934, celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday.
Soyinka shared these insights while answering questions from 383 students at the 2024 edition of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme, held at his ARI residence in Ijegba, Abeokuta.
He also discussed his motivation for becoming a writer, stating that he aimed to correct the inaccuracies in the stories he heard during his childhood.
Addressing the incident at the radio station, 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 demoralised the people and established the culture of brutality.”
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