Amid a state that is defined as being “in a constant state
of stalemate”, the prison drama is telling and palpable.
Life and death: a cycle. A voice bellows” I try not to
be in bed with injustice. It’s the theatre of boldness,
justice and power. A warm welcome to The Man Died.
On Thursday, April 2, 2026, I was privileged and excited
to watch a virtual screening of The Man Died, a film
which is based on Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s prison
memoir after he had been held in solitary confinement
for twenty-two months. This was one of his two works
that was covertly written on toilet paper and whizzed
out of prison. Africa, it’s my recommendation. Munch it!
Exploring Wole Sonyika’s incarceration during Nigeria’s
civil war, the 105 minute-virtual screening of the prison
notes was followed by a scintillating and robust discussion
with the film director Awam Amkpa and Prof. Manthia Diawara.
As the film comes to an end, Sonyika powerfully reads his poetry.
The work strikes a gentle balance between grave themes and humour.
Most importantly, it challenges us as Africans to confront bigotry boldly.
A subject that’s not comfortable and easy to broach. Honesty is boldness.
It’s humanity, too. Are we equal to the task? It’s real. We need a united Africa.
I personally enjoyed lines like “If not for your jokes, we’d be dead. Life itself
is a joke. Speak all the grammar, the less we eat, the less we shit!” Seconded?!
Like the host Dr. Elizabeth Olayiwola, my prime pick was: “Who shook the jar?”
