President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has announced that the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, will be renamed after Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka.
This announcement was made in a birthday message to the renowned literary figure, who turns 90 on July 13, 2024.
Tinubu stated, “I am pleased to join admirers around the world in celebrating the 90th birthday of Nigeria’s iconic son and the world-renowned Professor Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde, famously known as Wole Soyinka.” He continued, “To underscore the global relevance of the literary giant, a symposium, along with poetry reading, was held in Rabat, Morocco, on July 9. The event was organized by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA).”
Recognizing Soyinka’s achievements, Tinubu remarked, “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. Having beaten prostate cancer, this milestone is a fitting testament to his ruggedness as a person and the significance of his work.”
“It is also fitting we celebrate this national treasure while he is still with us. I am, accordingly, delighted to announce the decision of the Federal Government to rename the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.”
Tinubu praised Soyinka’s lifelong dedication to human dignity and justice, noting, “He is a playwright, actor, poet, human rights and political activist, composer, and singer. He is a giant bestriding not just the literary world but our nation, Africa, and the world.”
Highlighting Soyinka’s courage and influence, Tinubu added, “Since his youth, he has been a vocal critic of oppression and injustice wherever it exists. Beginning from his 20s, he took personal risks for the sake of our nation. His courage was evident when he attempted to broker peace at the start of the civil war in 1967. Detained for two years for his bravery, he narrated his experience in his prison memoir, ‘The Man Died.'”
Reflecting on their shared history, Tinubu said, “Our paths crossed during our just struggle for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria following the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election. His global stature made him the face of our struggle to validate June 12 and restore democracy in Nigeria.”
Tinubu concluded by celebrating Soyinka’s enduring legacy: “Today, I join the world to celebrate his profound influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists.”
“I celebrate him for giving us the spark to fight and confront military dictators in our country. I wish Professor Soyinka an incredibly happy 90th birthday,” He said.
