Many didn't know that Professor Wole Soyinka was imprisoned for 2 years because of Biafra by Yakubu Gowon.
After becoming chief of the Cathedral of Drama at the University of Ibadan, Soyinka became more politically active.
After becoming chief of the Cathedral of Drama at the University of Ibadan, Soyinka became more politically active.
Following the military coup of January 1966, he met with the military governor Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in Enugwu in August 1967, to try to avert civil war. As a result, he had to go into hiding.
He was imprisoned for 22 months as civil war ensued by Gowon.
He was imprisoned for 22 months as civil war ensued by Gowon.
They refused him access to materials like books, paper, pen, he still found way to write important notes, poems and articles, criticising Nigerian government while in prison.
In September 1967, while in prison, his play "The Lion and The Jewel" was produced in Accra.
In September 1967, while in prison, his play "The Lion and The Jewel" was produced in Accra.
In November "The Trials of Brother Jero" and "The Strong Breed" were produced in the Greenwich Mews Theatre in New York City. He also published a collection of his poetry, Idanre and Other Poems. It was inspired by Soyinka's visit to the sanctuary of the Yorùbá deity—Ogun.
He was also criticising Abacha's tyrannical government. Abacha declared him wanted and of course ready to kill him, he ran out of the country. He returned to Nigeria, a year after Abacha's death— 1999.
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