By Damiete Braide
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to Nigeria’s literary icon, Professor Wole Soyinka, on the eve of his 90th birthday.
In a heartfelt message, Tinubu lauded Soyinka’s contributions to literature, culture, and human rights, describing him as a national treasure and a global icon.
Highlighting the series of events celebrating Soyinka’s milestone, Tinubu noted the symposium and poetry reading held in Rabat, Morocco, on July 9, organized by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA). These activities underscore Soyinka’s global relevance and the profound impact of his work.
In his message, President Tinubu announced that the Federal Government will rename the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts. This gesture aims to honor Soyinka’s remarkable literary achievements and his unwavering dedication to human dignity and justice.
“Professor Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, deserves all accolades as he marks this significant milestone,” Tinubu stated. “Having beaten prostate cancer, this milestone is a fitting testament to his resilience and the enduring significance of his work.”
Tinubu praised Soyinka’s multifaceted talents as a playwright, actor, poet, human rights and political activist, composer, and singer. He emphasized Soyinka’s role as a fearless critic of oppression and injustice, both in Nigeria and globally, from apartheid in South Africa to racism in the United States.
“Since his youth, Soyinka has been a vocal critic of tyranny and oppression, urging us to become better as a nation. His courage was evident during the civil war in 1967 when he attempted to broker peace, leading to his two-year detention,” Tinubu recalled. “Despite this, his resolve to speak truth to power and fight for the marginalized was strengthened, as reflected in his early works like ‘The Lion and the Jewel’ and ‘Death and the King’s Horseman.’”
Tinubu also recounted their shared experiences during Nigeria’s struggle to restore democracy following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. Soyinka, facing a trial in absentia and a death sentence by the military regime, galvanized international opposition through NALICON and NADECO, becoming the face of the struggle to validate June 12 and restore democracy.
“As we celebrate his 90th birthday, we honor his profound influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists. We celebrate him for teaching us that literature and drama can be powerful tools to challenge the status quo,” Tinubu said.
President Tinubu concluded his tribute by wishing Professor Soyinka good health and creative fulfillment in the years ahead, expressing hope that Soyinka’s enduring spirit will continue to inspire efforts to build a nation free from oppression.
“May he continue to inspire us all to build a nation where our youth can live up to their dreams without being a wasted generation,” Tinubu stated.
Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday celebrations will culminate on July 13, marking a significant moment in honoring a literary giant whose work transcends national boundaries and continues to inspire people around the world.