A Literary Luminary’s Story in a Nutshell 

In an engaging, easy-to-read narrative, the literary activist Koko Kalango distils the life of Wole Soyinka—a masterclass in creativity, activism, and defiance—for the enjoyment of a younger audience. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke writes 

Who could have predicted the serendipitous twist of fate that awaited a tiny ball of energy, barely out of his toddler tantrums? Take his daring sneak peek into the school system before he was officially invited to the party, for instance. Was it a thirst for knowledge or a mischievous streak? Either way, this tiny tornado was already showing signs of greatness—or at least, a knack for shaking things up! After all, it should by now be self-evident that fate has a peculiar sense of humour and loves surprises.

And so began the unconventional journey of a trailblazing young mind, who would ultimately become the illustrious Wole Soyinka: activist and Nobel laureate, as revealed in Koko Kalango’s latest book. This tribute by the Rainbow Book Club founder is the apt icing to the grand celebrations marking Soyinka’s 90th birthday on July 13. And, trusting the local and global literati, they celebrated—and cerebrated (because, to be sure, they love a good excuse to flex their vocabulary muscles)—this milestone birthday with the usual fanfare, pomp, and circumstance.

This 98-page abridged biography is an exhilarating rollercoaster ride through the literary luminary’s remarkable life. From his childhood antics to his family’s fascinating history, Soyinka’s early foray into activism alongside the fearless Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and the Egba women rioters is a captivating tale that leaves readers riveted and amused. As expected, his story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning his inevitable clashes with the establishment—a hallmark of his unapologetic disposition, which was bound to ruffle a few feathers.

This biography is the literary equivalent of an action thriller, guaranteed to keep readers wide awake and thoroughly entertained! With his Nobel Prize for Literature as the crowning glory of his illustrious career, Soyinka’s story is too fascinating to put down. Then, there are Raphael Agboola’s vibrant illustrations, which add a burst of colour and energy, making it a delight to read. Best of all, the language is easy to understand for younger readers, although a dictionary (or Google) may be needed for a few words. This inspiring biography is a must-read!

Indeed, young readers should expect the highlights of the life of the incomparable WS—Wole Soyinka, that is—from this book! (Of course, by now it should be clear that William Shakespeare no longer holds the exclusive patent to those initials!) In just 12 breezy chapters (split further into subheadings), they should be acquainted with the fascinating story of this literary legend. From his university days at Ibadan, where he majored in English literature, Greek, and history, to his foray into student politics and the formation of the Pyrates Confraternity (inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, no less!), Soyinka’s early years were anything but dull. And not to be forgotten is his time at the University of Leeds, where he penned a play for the BBC, tied the knot with British writer Barbara Dixon, and made his debut British theatre appearance with a poem, accompanied by his cousin, the legendary Fela Kuti.

So, Soyinka, the literary legend, returns to Nigeria with a study grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. Little did the authorities know that he was about to shake things up with his anti-establishment flair. His play, A Dance of the Forests, was just the beginning.

And if that wasn’t enough, there were rumours (unconfirmed, of course) that he was the masked young man who stormed into the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation radio station, gun in hand, to stop a presenter from announcing an alleged election winner. Talk about making an entrance! But that was just the tip of the iceberg. His meeting with Odumegwu Ojukwu, the head of state of the secessionist Biafra, landed him in hot water. He was charged with treason and imprisoned. This was set against the backdrop of the Nigerian Civil War, a 30-month-long conflict that ravaged the country.

The book gets it right by tracing the war’s origins back to a coup in the mid-1960s. However, it is misleading to rehash the timeworn narrative that the coup was staged by mainly Igbos from the East. The records show a more complex picture, with participants from various ethnic groups. Isn’t it better to set the record straight, especially for a younger audience?

Then, the book also sheds light on the formation of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), established in 1988 to address the alarming rate of road crashes in Nigeria and a slew of Soyinka’s several other interventions.

 A trip down memory lane to 2014, when Port Harcourt, thanks to Kalango’s tireless efforts, snatched the title of UNESCO World Book Capital from eight other global contenders, should refresh the reader’s memory. Since then, Kalongo’s Rainbow Book Club has been making waves in the literary world.

Now, enter the R.O.A.R. Africa series, Kalango’s exciting collaboration with UNESCO! This ambitious project brings the biographies of notable Africans to young readers. And the first of these is this fascinating book about Soyinka, produced with the support of a grant from Providus Bank.

The Rainbow Book Club has, meanwhile, remained a literary force to be reckoned with since its ‘Get Nigeria Reading Again’ campaign began with Chimamanda Adichie in 2005. It is also currently behind Talking Books Africa, a monthly virtual live conversation with authors—award-winning Chibundu Onuzo being the inaugural guest.