Attention cannot but shift to the direction of Wole Soyinka at this period, and the reason is not just because the self-styled professor in a matter of days will be 80 years old but because his achievement, stature and status stare us in the face and only to be celebrated at this special time of his life.

Being a distinguished international figure, all hands are presently on deck to see the man being given a befitting birthday celebration, as preparations are in top gear to see the event worth an outstanding one, all in the celebration of an emulative activist and one of the biggest writers of Africa. Expectedly, several lectures that will be handled by foreign and local speakers as well as other educational programmes for the youngsters have been lined up. What is, however, not sure is if an elaborate party is going to be thrown.

The first African to win the Nobel literature prize, Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka, started his academic career at St. Peters Primary School, Ake Abeokuta, after which he proceeded to Abeokuta Grammar School, from where he moved to Government College, Ibadan. Soyinka, upon his completion at Government College gained admission into the University of Ibadan and he later travelled to England, where he went for further education at Leeds University.