"With a father from the Ijebu section and a mother from the Egba zone Soyinka refers to himself as an "Ijegba" man. His father was a primary school headmaster who rose to become a school supervisor. His mother was a trader who ran his shop with an iron grip that spared no debtor. A precocious child, Soyinka began his elementary education at the age of four, attending St. Peter's School, Ake, Abeokuta, one of the elite primary schools in colonial Nigeria under the headship of his father. He was a brilliant, if rascally, pupil who played a lot of practical jokes. He had little interest in sports.
In Standard III he performed the role of The Magician on prize-giving day: For I'm a magician You all must know You'll hear about me wherever you go You can see my name in letters large You can see me perform for a poultry large For Anthony Peter Zachary White Is a man who always gives delight… My friends I bid you come and see What sort of wizard I may be Come one and all And join the crowd And lift your voice in praises loud…(1) Thus was the early beginning of Soyinka as a dramatist. He was always the prankster amongst his mates, witty, inventive and unstoppable."
- Ikhide
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