Be yourselves, don’t copy me, Wole Soyinka warns

NOBEL laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Thursday, in Abeokuta , took a cursory look at his experience and asked Nigerian children and youths to drop the idea of attempting to emulate him in activism.
Prof. Soyinka  who clocked 77 on Wednesday made the statement Thursday when Ogun  state governor Ibikunle Amosun led no fewer than seventy-seven students, drawn from  the 36 states of  the country and diaspora to the icon’s house in Idi-Aba Abeokuta to celebrate with him.
Addressing  the well-wishers in his  living rooms, Prof. Soyinka warned all  the 77 children on the visit to drop the idea of emulating him saying  “ be yourselves”.
According to  the Nobel laureate “  It is sometimes problematic to be Prof. Wole Soyinka. Be yourselves don’t try to be like me “ he said.
While expressing surprise over the Birthday party organised by Ogun state Government, Soyinka said “  I heard  nothing, everything was organized  behind me. The topic, I have no idea.  I became a visitor in my house. Hospitality I contributed nothing”.
Senator Ibikunle Amosun explained why the birthday bash was organised saying  it was to appreciate the doggedness and activism of the I con. Amosun  however  stated that he  would want “to seize this opportunity to enjoin Nigerians to learn to  appreciate those who have genuinely contributed to the growth and development of our society, while they are still leaving.
“ It goes a long way in encouraging others to do their best to their immediate community and the larger society” Amosun said while describing the event as significant adding that  the  “ significance of these years is not in the number being marked nor the monotony of the yearly rituals, but the celebration of life.
Source: VANGUARD