Being the first black Nobel laureate, and the first African, the African world considered me personal property. I lost the remaining shreds of my anonymity, even to walk a few yards in London, Paris or Frankfurt without being stopped.

The blatant aggressiveness of theocracies I find distressing, because I grew up when Christians, Muslim and animists lived peacefully together.

I cannot belong to a nation which permits such barbarities as stoning to death and amputation - I don't care what religion it is.

Wole Soyinka Quotes