President Bola Tinubu warmly congratulates Nigeria’s literary giant and global icon, Professor Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka, better known as Wole Soyinka, on his 90th birthday on July 13, 2024.
Professor Soyinka is a celebrated playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, actor, singer, composer, and documentarian, renowned worldwide.
He is also a leading advocate for good governance and a fair and just society.
He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, becoming the first African to receive the award in that category.
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The Nobel Laureate has received many other prestigious awards, such as the Benson Medal from the Royal Society of Literature, the Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the Europe Theatre Prize for a Special Prize.
President Tinubu describes Professor Soyinka as one of the finest minds of his generation, upholding the highest standards of human enlightenment while remaining steadfast against injustice, oppression, and base impulses.
The President honors one of Nigeria’s living repositories of history, knowledge, and courage, commending him for his valiant efforts in the trenches for the nation’s future as both a pro-democracy champion and a strong voice against corruption and maladministration over several decades.
“Our paths crossed during our just struggle for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria following the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election. When faced with a trial in absentia and death sentence by the military regime at home, he galvanized opposition in exile through NALICON and NADECO. His global stature made him the face of our struggle to validate June 12 and restore democracy in Nigeria.
“Today, I join the world to celebrate his profound influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists who have been inspired by his work. I celebrate him for giving us the spark to fight and confront military dictators in our country.
“I am, accordingly, delighted to have the honour 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,” the President states.
President Tinubu wishes Professor Soyinka many more years in good health and creative fulfilment as a global force for change.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 12, 2024
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