The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare July 13 a national day to celebrate the contributions of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka to literature and humanity. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Oba Gbadebo also urged the federal government to honour Soyinka with the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), the second highest national honor, as the playwright approaches his 90th birthday.
“It will be appropriate for the Federal Government to adopt July 13 as a national day to celebrate Prof Wole Soyinka given his contribution to literature and humanity globally,” said Oba Gbadebo. “The Federal Government should also in addition to this confer on Wole Soyinka the second highest national honor of Grand Commander of Order of Niger because his contribution to register our dear nation on the global map.”
In a show of local respect, the paramount ruler declared July 13th ‘Wole Soyinka Day’ for all sons and daughters of Egba land, both at home and in the diaspora. The two-day celebration themed, ‘Defiance and Creativity: A Celebration of Soyinka’s Artistic Ingenuity and Impact on Nigeria, Africa and The Entire World,’ will include art exhibitions, cultural performances, book exhibitions, poetry recitals, and documentaries on Soyinka’s life and work.
