Never is Nigeria more in need of reflection and selfless re-dedication than at this moment in its history, Wole Soyinka has told the younger generation, which he wants to learn lessons from his own “wasted generation”.
The Nobel laureate passed the message to 81 children who were present at the sixth edition of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) 2015 programme in Abeokuta – and urged them to pass it on to their peers.
“You, the youth of our Northern communities, have borne much, sacrificed much, over and beyond what should be expected at your age.
“Alas, it is not yet over! Your presence here testifies to your courage and resilience, and the tenacity of your parents,” Soyinka said in a letter to the children.
He was unavoidably absent at the event that celebrates his birthday every year since he turned 76. This year’s edition was held from Sunday, July 12 to Wednesday, July 15.
United front against terrorists
Whether we choose to admit it or not, he stressed, we are assailed by one of the most ruthless enemies of humanity that Nigeria has ever known.
“It must be an extremely lucky individual among you from several parts of the North who has not lost a family member, a friend, a mentor, or even an acquaintance to the forces of death and destruction known as Boko Haram.
“You all know that in recent weeks, they have even intensified their campaign of terror and intimidation further South – to Kaduna, and the Plateau. Their message to the rest of us, seemingly insulated, is loud and clear. We are all involved.”
He commended the Muslims among the children as they approached the end of Ramadan.
He noted that Boko Haram claims to derive its inspiration and commitment to Islam, “but you and I know that they are nothing more than blood-thirsty liars and blasphemers.”
Their actions, he said, brand them as obsessive enemies of learning, enlightenment and, indeed, of humanity.
“My message to you all is therefore straightforward: We must not despair, and we must never submit. We must never forget their victims who must now be counted in thousands.
“We must dedicate ourselves to the recovery of the missing, the rehabilitation of the displaced, and the healing of the wounded and traumatised.
“No matter to what part of the nation we primarily belong, irrespective of whatever religion we espouse, and no matter where we find ourselves in these troubled times, we must link arms and stand against the forces of irredeemable evil, and be guided by pronouncements that promote our common humanity in defiance of a murderous minority.”
Soyinka said Islam is famous for its love of the book, its early followers were known as the people of the book, and famous Islamic scholars have stood guard at the portals of institutions of learning such as the library of Alexandria.
Preparing the young for leadership
A core objective of the WSICE is to prepare young Nigerians and Africans for leadership roles, make them imbibe quality education and have exposure to patriotism, discipline, and good citizenship.
Soyinka himself personifies these qualities that facilitate the emergence of a better humanity and a better world.
Every year since 2010, the Essay Writing competition segment of the WSICE calls for entries from private and public schools around the country, and from Nigerians in the Diaspora.
A theme is chosen to which the participants submit entries. A body of assessors sifts through the entries that are usually over 200 every year.
Finalists are selected to tally with the age of Soyinka for that particular year. At the debut of the project in 2010, when he was 76, there were 76 finalists; in 2014 when he was 80, there were 80 finalists.
The finalists are brought to a reality television-kind of setting on July 13 – Soyinka’s birthday – where they do the final writing competition. Judges assess the entries and give awards to the best five.
The top prize, co-sponsored by the Ogun State government and ZMirage Multimedia Company, is handed to the winner at a ceremony hosted by the state governor on July 14, the day after the birthday event.
After the announcement of winners the finalists are hosted by Soyinka at his Ijegba Forest residence.
This year’s theme, “Freedom & Justice: Essential Conditions for Humanity”, which featured 81 finalists selected from over 250 entries received from all over the country.
The final essay was written on July 13 at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, and the finalists were rewarded on July 14 by representatives of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
The event this year also featured a storytelling workshop and mentoring by two guest storyteller artistes – Theodora Ulerie from Trinidad & Tobago and Noma Sodipo from Nigeria.
The play Kongi’s Harvest by Soyinka was performed to the delight of guests from Abeokuta and beyond by the Crown Troupe of Africa at the 850-capacity Ijegba Forest Theatre near Soyinka’s home.