Soyinka attended my programme, spoke when he barely knew me — Osinbajo

Immediate-past Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has said Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka attended a programme he organised when he barely knew him.

Osinbajo also maintained that the literary icon spoke at the same event while cheering his friends.

He made this known while delivering a speech entitled, “Soyinka: The Imperative of a Public Conscience” at the Soyinka International Symposium organised by the Nigerian Academy of Letters in honour of Soyinka who turns 90 on July 13, 2024.

The symposium, with the theme, “Eni Ogun: An Enduring Legacy”, which was held on Thursday at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos had Emeritus Professor at the University of Orleans, Prof Niyi Osundare, as the keynote speaker.

While delivering his speech, Osinbajo narrated how Soyinka accepted his invitation to attend the launch of The Orderly Society Trust which he and his wife Dolapo formed in 2007 when he was 50, even though he (Soyinka) hadn’t known him at the time.

According to him, not only did Soyinka attend the event and deliver a speech, but he also created a controversy among his pastor friends when he suggested that there might not be heaven.

“Soyinka interfered and still interferes with everybody’s space. So one must not be shy to interfere with his. I am also grateful for this opportunity because it gives me a chance to repay or return a priceless favour.

“In 2007, I turned 50. My wife and I decided to launch the Orderly Society Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to a sane and organised society. My own preferred person to speak to just about 50 guests was no other than Professor Wole Soyinka. He could be anywhere in the world. And anyway, why should he bother to attend an event in honour of someone who he barely knows?

“I called Makin, his son, my friend, and asked him if he would make the request on my behalf. He did. Prof. was travelling and he wasn’t sure he would make it to Lagos let alone to attend the event.

“But the unbelievable happened. Prof came and attended the event, spent the whole time there and even created controversy among my many pastor friends when he suggested that there might not even be heaven,” Osinbajo said, and the hall roared with laughter.

The event was attended by creme-de-la-creme including former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Dr Bisi Fayemi; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola; former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Duro Oni; President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, Prof. Sola Akinrinade; and the Secretary, Nigerian Academy of Letters, Prof. Olakunbi Olasope.