President Bola Tinubu has hailed renowned playwright and novelist, Prof. Wole Soyinka, as a shining light of Nigeria whose influence transcends the country’s borders. As Soyinka celebrates his 90th birthday, Tinubu named the National Theatre in Lagos after the Nobel laureate, now known as the ‘Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts’.
Tinubu praised Soyinka’s courage and dedication to democracy, recalling his contributions to the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. He noted that Soyinka’s international influence made him the face of the struggle to validate the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The President highlighted Soyinka’s remarkable literary achievements and his unwavering dedication to human dignity and justice. He described Soyinka as a colossus, a true renaissance person blessed with numerous talents, and a giant in the literary world and beyond.
Dr. Joe Odumakin, President of the Centre for Change, also paid tribute to Soyinka, describing him as a living legend and a shining star in the Nigerian firmament. She celebrated his commitment to high ideals and his profound impact on literature and his unyielding stance against injustice.
Soyinka’s life and work continue to inspire both locally and internationally, and he remains a bulwark against injustice and oppression. As he enters his 90th year, Nigeria honours this national treasure and celebrates his remarkable achievements.