Society Gists

Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the senator representing Ogun East District at the National Assembly, has disclosed why the road leading to the country home of the legendary Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, in Ogun State was not tarred during his tenure as governor.

Daniel, who governed Ogun State from 2003 to 2011, shared this during an event organised in honour of Prof. Soyinka’s 90th birthday in Isara Remo.

As chairman of the event, Otunba Daniel extolled the virtues of the Nobel laureate, highlighting his selfless service to humanity and his commitment to environmental preservation.

Daniel recounted an incident where Professor Soyinka declined the government’s offer to tar the road leading to his house in Abeokuta. Soyinka preferred the natural state to avoid noise and pollution, ensuring a habitat for local wildlife.

“When I visited Prof. in his house in Abeokuta, the road was not tarred and no air-conditioner; nothing. So I said, Prof., why don’t you put an air-conditioner? He said, ‘I want fresh air. Our fathers didn’t have air-conditioners and they lived long.’ So today that he’s 90, I’m not surprised. And I won’t be surprised if he goes on to 100 or 120.

“But the other thing was that I said, okay oga, let us come and tar this road for you. He said, ‘Don’t tar the road.’ I said, why? He said, ‘By the time you tar this road, vehicles will just be going up and down; this will lead to noise and pollution. I enjoy killing eiye aparo (partridge), and I aim my dane gun whenever I feel like it and shoot at eiye aparo and I have food to eat. By the time you tar this place, vehicles will be going up and down and eiye aparo will not be available any longer.’ That’s Professor Wole Soyinka, the naturalist,” Otunba Daniel narrated.

Ogidi Omo, as the former governor was fondly called, then went on to appreciate the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for naming a major street in Abuja and the National Theatre in Lagos after the professor.

In a surprising turn of events, the Isara market women honoured Otunba Daniel with various foodstuffs and insisted on taking pictures with him.

The grand event took place on Monday, 15 July 2024, at Afotamodi Town Hall, Isara-Remo, Ogun State.

It featured the presentation of a book titled Isara: A Voyage Around Essay and other educational materials to students by Prof. Soyinka’s children.

As the first black Nobel Laureate in Literature, Prof. Soyinka’s works and legacy continue to inspire generations, making the event a fitting tribute to his remarkable contributions to humanity.