Nigerian author and filmmaker Onyeka Nwelue has revealed that Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka quietly covered the outstanding balance of his knee surgery bill, which totaled approximately 39 million naira. Nwelue shared the account on his X account on Monday, July 13, which coincided with Soyinka's 92nd birthday, drawing over 444,000 views at the time of reporting.
Soyinka's Immediate Response to Nwelue's Financial Situation
According to Nwelue, he informed Soyinka that his knee surgery cost around 39 million naira, but he had only about 10 million naira to pay the hospital. Soyinka responded promptly, saying, 'Let me get to Lagos this Friday and see what I can send.' By the following Monday, Soyinka had wired the funds and followed up after receiving no acknowledgment from Nwelue.
In a message quoted by Nwelue, Soyinka wrote: 'Receiving no notification from you, I asked my bank for confirmation that the money has been sent. Forwarding separately the affirmation documents from the bank in case you need to track the funds. Bank document attached in case you need to track the remittance. I just wish to ensure it's landed in the right place.' Nwelue confirmed that the hospital had received the full amount when he contacted them directly.
Nigerians React to the Story of Generosity
The post drew a range of reactions from Nigerians. User @AlliOlabisi5 praised Soyinka's gesture while addressing Nwelue: 'That's what humanity is all about, giving a helping hand to others in their times of vulnerability is one of the true essences of life. Thank you very much, PWS. But I have read about 20 comments here saying you curse and mock 'poor' people? Huuummm...if that is true, maybe PWS's gesture is a message to you that you should change? Nobody has it all; we all lean on others at one point or the other in our lives. STOP rubbing your riches on people's faces.'
Others were less charitable towards Nwelue. @Aguatazik wrote: 'If you can't pay just 39 million for your surgery, why then are you always here insulting poor people as if your father was Abacha? Enemy of the poor people is also secretly poor.' @lawodebabaibeji added: 'You have received too much financial help for someone who calls others poor. I thought you had it all.'
Soyinka's Legacy and Earlier Tributes
Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka, born on July 13, 1934, became the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. He turns 92 today. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Soyinka paid tribute to the late scholar Biodun Jeyifo during a farewell ceremony in Ibadan, where members of the Pyrates Confraternity honoured his legacy. Soyinka shared memories from their University of Ibadan days, describing Jeyifo as an exceptional student whose brilliance stood out despite his eccentric habits.
