Glo-Sponsored CNN African Voices Playmakers Hosts Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka
In an exceptional episode of CNN International’s African Voices Playmakers, world-renowned playwright, poet, and human rights activist, Professor Wole Soyinka, will be the featured guest. This 30-minute magazine programme, proudly sponsored by Globacom, will offer an intimate exploration into the life and legacy of the celebrated Nobel Laureate.
In this special edition, which coincides with Soyinka’s 90th birthday celebration, the literary icon will share insights into the values, ideologies, and passions that have shaped his illustrious career. Born on 13th July 1934 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Professor Soyinka has long been regarded as a towering figure in the world of literature and activism.
The programme will delve into Soyinka’s extraordinary life of activism, which not only fuelled his literary works but also cemented his place in history as a fearless voice for justice. Viewers will be treated to a preview of a forthcoming film chronicling his political incarceration in Nigeria.
Professor Soyinka, who gained global recognition through his prolific works in prose, poetry, and drama, became the first African writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. He was honoured for his “wide cultural perspective and poetic overtones fashioning the drama of existence”. His contributions to literature and activism have made him a cultural icon far beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Soyinka’s artistic brilliance was first noticed during his time as a student at the University College, Ibadan, now the University of Ibadan, and later, the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, where he completed a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature.
In addition to his Nobel Prize, Soyinka has received numerous accolades, including the Benson Medal from the Royal Society of Literature in 1990, the Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award in 2009, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2012, and the Special Prize from the Europe Theatre Prize in 2017.
In recognition of his remarkable legacy, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu recently renamed the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, in his honour, a fitting tribute to a man whose influence has transcended borders and generations.
The African Voices Playmakers episode featuring Wole Soyinka will be aired on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. on DSTV Channel 401. Repeat broadcasts will follow at noon on Saturday, 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, and at 4:00 a.m. on Monday. Additional repeats are scheduled for next Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and noon, as well as Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
This is a must-watch for those interested in the life and works of one of Africa’s greatest cultural ambassadors.
