Wole Soyinka Released from Military Detention | October 1969

Footage of Wole Soyinka, the internationally known Nigerian playwright, speaking to a reporter after being released from 26 months of detention without trial by the military regime led by Major-General Yakubu Gowon.
He was one of 151 civilian detainees who were released after Gowon had their cases reviewed under a general amnesty. He had been jailed after his individual attempt to stop the civil war. This included an unauthorised entry into the about-to-secede Eastern Region.
Of his detention, Soyinka disclosed that he thought that he might have been "quietly done away with".
Soyinka's experience in detention much of it spent in solitary confinement inspired "The Man Died", a book published in 1972. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986.
"Profile of Wole Soyinka."
adeyinkamakinde.blogspot.com/2...
Transcript of Interview:
REPORTER: Mr. Wole Soyinka, it's nice to have you back with us after some time. We all know you are a university lecturer, dramatist, a playwright of world class and not in any way a politician. Do you think you got yourself involved in politics in anyway before the authorities took you away some 26 months ago?
SOYINKA: "Of course I got myself involved in what was happening. I don't know whether you'd call it politics or not, I don't consider war politic. I believe war is a human problem and I am a human being. You're quite right to say I got myself involved , but you're right to say I am not a politician.
REPORTER: How do you feel about your release from detention after 26 months?
SOYINKA: My feeling is one of amazement, amazement that it happened at all. This is my only feeling. I knew I would be released sooner or later ... either that or I would be quietly done away with in some obscure cell. It was one of two things, so one of them has come to pass and I suppose it's just a fact.
REPORTER: What of your career at the university, in the drama world and all that?
SOYINKA: Well, that is my immediate concern. You know, we have lost so much time on many projects that we had, both theatrical and film, so many things have completely been ruined and damaged, so many possibilities of creative work have been retarded and as far as I am concerned my immediate business is put all right.
Source: Reuters News.

[@philidele]

"I don't consider war politics. I believe war is a human problem, and I am a human being"

[@therealist2866]

Soyinka’s book based on his detention “The Man Died” makes for terrific reading. Highly recommend it

[@ohiimosemi9353]

I'm often sad when I go online and see the history of the Europeans and the rest of the world clearly documented, but see little about Africa. I'm very glad to see new videos about Nigeria's history surfacing online. Let us shape the narrative of what is reported about Nigeria. Lets document today's events because it will be tomorrow's history.

[@TosinAnimashaun]

twitter.com/nigeriainvideos?lang=en instagram.com/nigeriainvideos/

[@motivationmediaonline]

The go to NewAfrica youtube

[@halidsheriff8002]

Your leaders who had claimed to be Nigeria landlords do not believe in history, because they can't read and are specialising in ursupation.

[@kyrieeleison7065]

Prof. Wole Soyinka is very brilliant and fearless. He had brought immeasurable honor to Africa. @Makinde, thanks so much for this flashback. Please, we need more of it. Thanks.

[@Phrankleen13]

This channel is Gold! Wow 😮

[@jessepage1061]

Bro u're here too

[@Keephopealive2013]

So is yours!

[@nwaliikeemmanuel2313]

I read The Man Died and have been dying to see how WS looked at the time of his release. I'm blown away by his wit and graceful manners.

[@sibengerard1856]

THIS KIND OF FOOTAGE IS TIMELESS...FANTASTIC POST BY MR.MAKINDE

[@kingsolomon0]

Memories are made of this , I studied some of his works in high school here Kenya . Keep it up , upload more of this vintage videos .

[@shyamala.hshetty5428]

We had one of his poem called Telephone Conversation. It was eye opening to many people..

[@johnonoh59]

Adeyinka Makinde thank you for this footage as well others you have made available through this medium. Keep it up.

[@applebyatkins]

Mister, where are you digging up these treasures from? Thanks for the good work!

[@IhimaDylord]

Adedayo Ogundipe : Treasures, indeed.

[@nobs997]

Wole had his accent refined long ago.

[@mirandaal4541]

Wole developed his love of long hair long ago.

[@dystantmind7254]

I swear

[@sabot4ge]

LOL the entire african continent are exceptionally fluid in all foreign languages. They learn to finesse the language instead of merely get an idea across..I guess it's inspired from the transatlantic accent and british system of education, but it takes lots of reading and writing to master it like they do. Literally, all Africans who i've ever met are very verbal artists who speak the language in mastery form. But it goes to show you, all these african stereotypes and tropes are due to pure ignorance of africa...they had to basically learn to survive instantly by assimilating into multiple languages, and the majority who gave it a sincere attempt achieved mastery form. Western ideas of being articulate might be insulting to them because they are quite happy in their own natural culture I've learned over the decades

[@tjadeadeyeye8630]

The great CP was probably in his 30tis @ this time & yet sounding so matured, wise & intelligent in a deep, introspective manner. Darius pops. May we your sons, our children , grandchildren & generations to come see the great Nigeria we pray for.

[@joshuaadeleyejoad1678]

You noticed that too

[@femiidowu-adegokedrfia5927]

The Man died is highly recommended, infact which of Prof Kongi's work is not highly recommended. Thanks Prof for all you do for humanity.

[@elijahufelix]

Wole Soyinka always fearless

[@jobiej7416]

See him in ol school attire. Internet reminding us of d past. Thanks for d upload

[@davidagbeyo4675]

Mr Adeyinka Makinde,where are you getting all these from o?

[@Tijiani]

Well done Adeyinka ,impressive archive library 👏..now my point 👉, Our intellectual class was destroyed by the military who had no business ruling Nigeria!!!..The african malaise of corruption also destroyed the building of our nation.!!

[@olaafelumo4754]

Thanks so much. I love history

[@Regnard999]

What a literary giant❤❤

[@bolasalak7360]

Kudos to those who archive this inestimable documents for generation to generation

[@okeychimeh977]

This man is a National Treasure 👏

[@seunpeter_olanrewaju]

Insightful!

[@Soletar77]

At this point, Prof. Wole Soyinka couldn't have guessed The National Theatre would be renamed in his honour as a 90th birthday gift!

[@margaritao.p9564]

The Lion and the Jewel 💎 🔥a drama I’ve always loved.Such a legend

[@thepresence2095]

Wow I never seen this man this young before,

[@dystantmind7254]

😂😂😂 i can imagine how you feel brother.

[@obinnaaniedeh1789]

Baba oh is always on point, i too gbadu you sir.

[@kra234]

What a Hero we can learn from now.

[@goodafy]

Makinde invaded NTA archives... Good work though, what are these footages doing in archives put it in public place so people will know their history

[@mofejohn4721]

True

[@graphicsRat]

I doubt it. Nigerian archives must be in awful shape. Back in the 90s my commute went past the film unit at Obalende and you could see celluloid spewing from cans outside the building. Our nation's legacy left to rot. No many of these clips are from foreign film units e.g. Reuters.

[@JohnFekoloid]

Nigeria always has great intellectuals who are never the ones in power. They always get tossed around by useless men in power.

[@ritasimon6472]

Oh my God,I just love this man,he didn't change much he is still hot.

[@safol123]

articulate and dignified

[@bernardjay379]

Brilliant stuff.

[@yomzydee6825]

It seems the accent back in the days or 60s is different from now

[@noraedeke7795]

Wow

[@tobiayelaagbe]

This man has been great since day one. The confidence. The resolution. Either to die or get released. Wow

[@oluwayemisiakaaka3163]

Humiliating memories, sadly, Buhari has put us on the path again.

[@sentinelmedia1]

Wow!

[@kay2914]

Wow this guy is just too good

[@Alorio-Gori]

Nigerian legend

[@kennee_maestro]

If they ever need to make a Wole Soyinka movie, that guy from The Johnsons would make a perfect fit.

[@itorodavid220]

O boy! See young wole soyinka, Makinde how I wish you'll give us young buhari & OBJ.

[@henryogie9620]

Classic....Composure...Laureate🔥

[@obinnaobiekwe4910]

What a man. At this point he was about 35. Spending two years in prison fighting for cause. The FG needs to apologise to him. And Gowon is alive. I'm sure Gowon should have.

[@DisaffectedNigerian]

Is no one going to talk about how handsome Soyinka was in his prime?

[@fayemijumoke]

Yes I saw it and must confess he was really handsome in his prime! How I wish one could always stay young forever!!

[@yomzydee6825]

He was

[@mirandaal4541]

He still is

[@PoeCommunicateATL]

Wow! Soooo handsome!

[@fayemijumoke]

Yes he was!

[@deborahwilson9528]

Good

[@MajorrBison]

Wole Soyinka’s accent and that if the interviewer is like day and night.

[@Phrankleen13]

MajorrBison lmao 😂 stop it... that cracked me up! 🤣🤣🤣

[@MrSivram28]

You have the same accent as the interviewer.

[@relaxingandsoothing7353]

Refined...

[@teacherkaligodottonjigecha3328]

Wole Soyinka is my role modal thus why l'm coming later as Soyinka

[@foreverzainab3158]

This man was locked up for 26 months? Kaiiii naijaaa

[@peculiarpeculiar2504]

But Wole na fine boy. Those days oo.

[@adekunledavies7708]

Handsome guy

[@j.c.n9718]

Six or Twenty six months?

[@Xtjiggzs]

26

[@isaiahgere9283]

So Nigerians don’t know their own history. The north has really beaten us😢

[@almamybokarbirobarry780]

Today he is old

[@jamiuridwan3421]

27 months altogether

[@Grizzlyx9]

damn what did he do? lol

[@JohnFekoloid]

If this is 1969, then Nigeria was already under military rule from 1966. He probably spoke against the government. Same result as EndSARS protesters, or Twitter ban. Same shit, different time.

[@subairmobolaji8070]

@@JohnFekoloid probably? That means you don't know for sure