By Udeme Nana
THE session started with the Founder of Uyo Book Club Dr. Udeme Nana reading his poem, ‘Ode to Wole Soyinka’. He reviewed the life and times of the Nobel laureate, his contributions to literature, human rights and good governance and observed that the iconic man of letters is a pride to Nigeria and the black race. He described Soyinka as a worthy role model and a titan of literature. Thereafter, members of the club took turns to read poems by Soyinka.
In his review of some of the plays of the celebrant, Professor Effiong Johnson of the Department of Theatre Arts and Film studies, University of Uyo described The Swamp Dwellers, as a dramatic prophecy which foretold rural-urban drift. But the main character, rather than gain anything from moving to the town, lost all, including his wife. According to Professor Johnson, a critique of the play shows that Nigerians were still in the clutches of superstition which holds them down.
He also observed that The Jero Plays is a satire on the Nigerian religious situation where adherents are gullible and are taken advantage of by religious charlatans. He described the play as a “slapstick on what people could suffer if they donated themselves to false prophets and prayer houses”. On The Republican, Professor Johnson said it is a commentary on the Nigerian condition when Nigeria became a Republic in 1963, arguing that Soyinka must be feeling pained because all the conditions which he condemned when Nigeria became a Republic in 1963 are still prevalent. He pointed out issues such as corruption, ethnicity and lack of trust, etc.
Taking a look at Before the Black Out, Professor Johnson said it is a bold affront against some well known politicians in Nigeria at the time of writing the play. He also observed that The Lion and the Jewel is a play that shows the conflict between tradition and modernity, with the main character, Lakunle representing modernity while Baroka, a stiff traditionalist is opposed to development. Professor Johnson observed that Soyinka made tradition to win in the work, pointing out that Soyinka seems to be saying that Africans should be wary of modernity in that play.
The professor of Theatre Arts and Film Studies said Kongi’s Harvest is a depiction of the military incursion in government, and observed that it is the wealth of the land which attracts Kongi to impose himself on the community. “Kongi formed his own leadership group but unlike the one he overthrew, the reformed Aweri leadership council which he put in place is not knowledgeable at all”, adding that “Kongi is dictatorial and strips the Oba of everything”. Kongi even tried to take the spiritual power in addition to the traditional power, he said, noting that in Kongi’s Harvest, the playwright seems to call for resistance against bad government.
In The Strong Breed, Soyinka is advocating for a strong person to emerge who must carry the burden of the community and die for it on behalf of the people. The character is seen running away from his community to escape his fate only to meet the same fate in a strange community. However, Prof. Johnson noted that such annual rituals don’t add value to the development of any community, adding, “The application is that in contemporary society, the common man is the fodder who die regularly so that politicians must live large.”
Death and the King’s Horseman is arguably the most popular work of Soyinka in the world, according to Professor Johnson.
The special guest of honour at the session and Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo Professor Nyaudo Ndaeyo congratulated Uyo Book Club for honouring the erudite literary scholar for attaining 90 years, adding, “I used to think we have lost it and reached a point of no return, but I now see hope with this gathering.” He further added that Soyinka is an international figure worthy of all the honours bestowed on him, and tasked the youths to prepare to step into the big shoes of Soyinka. Prof. Ndaeyo stated that the great poet was old now and can’t do much, saying, “Though things have fallen apart, someday Nigerians shall be free.”
In his remarks, the Patron of Uyo Book Club, businessman and lawmaker, Senator Ekong Sampson said that his visit to Uyo would have been incomplete if he didn’t show up at the club. He said that the place of Soyinka in Nigeria is assured having made so many contributions to earn the eternal respect of Nigerians. He urged critics who blame him as (for his) obscure (works) to study his works patiently. I join millions of humanity to salute WS on 90!”
A toast was proposed for Professor Soyinka by Professor Eno Urua and members of the club drank to his good health to bring the celebratory event to an end.
