President Bola Tinubu has renamed the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in honour of the literary giant, who turns 90.
In a statement he personally signed, Tinubu described Soyinka as a “national treasure and global icon” whose remarkable literary achievements and unwavering dedication to human dignity and justice deserve all accolades.
He said he joined admirers around the world in celebrating him, saying, “Professor Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize in 1986, deserves all the accolades as he marks the milestone of 90 years on earth.” Tinubu praised Soyinka’s vast contributions, from his early works like “The Lion and the Jewel” and “Death and the King’s Horseman” to his recent “Interventions” series, noting that the renowned playwright, poet, and activist has inspired generations of writers, scholars, and activists worldwide.
The President also highlighted Soyinka’s courageous stand against oppression and injustice, recalling his attempt to broker peace at the start of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, for which he was detained for two years.
“He remains the shining light of our nation, the gadfly that pokes our national soul, decrying tyranny and oppression, urging us to become better as a nation,” Tinubu said.
The 90th birthday celebration of the literary icon is featuring a series of local and international activities, including a symposium and poetry reading held in Rabat, Morocco on July 9, organised by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA).
Credit: The Sun