Renowned Nigerian author and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka is widely admired, not just for his intellect, but also for his good health, even at the age of 80.

But the respected playwright, at a function in Ogun State this week, shocked many that he was diagnosed with cancer in late December 2014.

During a press conference held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta in Ogun State, Wole Soyinka said he decided to talk about it in order to create awareness on cancer disease and to help people become more aware of how to take measures to prevent.

He rooted for prompt medical attention for management of cancer.

The Nobel Laureate said he survived the silent killer disease because of early detection, treatment and proper dieting, adding that it has also dawned on him that the family has a history of cancer ailment. He, however, noted that his initial reaction was to see cancer as one of those challenges and nuisance that should be dealt with: he considered it 'an unwanted squatter in his body and had to get rid of it whether it is a slow growing one or malignant.'

The social critic and adored literary heavyweight was assured by a medical expert and founder of the African Cancer Centre in Lagos, Prof. Olu Williams, that he (Soyinka) would 'not die of cancer.'

Revealing his reason for saying that, Williams revealed that Soyinka was diagnosed with the disease because of his old age and that the playwright will only 'die with the ailment.'© 2014Nollywoodgists.com