Students of the English and Literary Studies from across the country have extolled the writing skills of the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, as he celebrates his 80th birthday.
The literary icon, they said, was a mentor to them as his works were relevant within and outside the academic setting.
They added that Soyinka was one of the greatest living literati in Africa who explored all genres of literature.
Many of those who hailed Soyinka, are students from the Obafemi Awolowo University, universities of Ibadan, Lagos, Ilorin; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the Lagos State University, Ojo.
Students of OAU under the aegis of the National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies, who spoke through their president, Busayo Olatunde, described Soyinka as a generalismo of words.
Olatunde said, “We celebrate a giant sorcerer in the world forest of letters, a man whose wine is ink, and letters, his holy communion. He is a living legend in the pen fraternity and great stream of intellectualism from which many travellers on the road of writing drink.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that Prof. Wole Soyinka is a book in the world library. May the god of lines and spiritus mundi make ‘night’ hand not to be heavy upon his brow? We wish to see his physical presence again in OAU to, at least, deliver a special lecture. He has been a source of inspiration to us and his works are super relevant.”
The UI students described Soyinka as an irrepressible voice in a “climate of fear and tyranny”.
They said despite the challenges faced by Soyinka during the military regime of Gen.Yakubu Gowon, “criticisms still fall from the professor like rain”.
A 300-level student of UI, Harrison Mmerenu, added, “After reading The Man Died and many other works by Soyinka, I discovered that the author is the indisputable conscience of the Nigerian nation – a country whose leaders have taken the shameful vow of looting and plundering the commonwealth till death do them part. An irrepressible voice in a climate of fear and tyranny is what Soyinka means to me.”
A student of UNILAG, Agbaje Esther, said the richness of Soyinka’s diction thrilled her.
“Soyinka is a writer that uses rich and simple language to show the beauty of his work,” she added. Macaulay Adeleye from LASU noted that the contributions of Soyinka to students’ creative skills and cultural development were unquantifiable
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