The Nigerian Government has renamed the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, as The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, to honour Nigeria’s literary colossus and global icon, Professor Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka.
Penpushing reports that President Bola Tinubu made the announcement in a congratulatory message on his (Soyinka) 90th birthday on July 13, 2024, describing the celebrator as one of the finest minds of his generation; conforming to the highest standards of human enlightenment, but unyielding to injustice, oppression, and base impulses.
“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’, Tinubu wrote
Penpushing further reports that Tinubu in the letter wishes Soyinka many more years in good health and creative fulfilment as a global force for change, pointing out that he is one of Nigeria’s living repositories of history, knowledge, and courage.
The President commended Soyinka for his valiant efforts in the trenches for the nation’s future both as a pro-democracy champion and as a trenchant 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’, he wrote.
“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’, Tinubu emphasised.
Penpushing also reports that Soyinka is a globally celebrated playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, actor, singer, composer, and documentarian as well as a foremost advocate of good governance and of a fair and just society.
The celebrator won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1986 as the first African to win the Prize in that category while is recipient of many other reputable awards, such as the Benson Medal from the Royal Society of Literature; Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award; Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, (Lifetime Achievement); and the Europe Theatre Prize – (Special Prize).
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