President Bola Tinubu has announced the renaming of the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, in honor of Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka.
The theatre will now be known as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts. This announcement came as part of the celebrations marking Soyinka’s 90th birthday.
In a letter personally signed by him, President Tinubu expressed his admiration for Soyinka, saying, “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.”
The president noted the significance of Soyinka’s contributions to literature and his relentless fight for justice, highlighting that the decision to rename the theatre is a fitting tribute to his legacy.
Tinubu stated, “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.”
To honor Soyinka’s contributions, a series of events have been held both locally and internationally. Tinubu mentioned, “Tomorrow, the 13th July will be the climax of the series of local and international activities held in his honour.
To underscore the global relevance of the literary giant, a symposium, along with poetry reading, was held in Rabat, Morocco on 9 July. The event was organized by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA).”
The president praised Soyinka’s vast achievements, noting, “When he turned 80, I struggled to find words to encapsulate his achievements because they were simply too vast. Since then, he has added to his corpus with his series of Interventions, which have been published in many volumes.”
Highlighting Soyinka’s diverse talents and impact, Tinubu said, “Professor Soyinka is a colossus, a true Renaissance person blessed with innumerable talents. 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. He remains the shining light of our nation, the gadfly that pokes our national soul, decrying tyranny and oppression, urging us to become better as a nation.”
Soyinka’s influence extends beyond Nigeria, as Tinubu acknowledged, “He is one Nigerian whose influence transcends the Nigerian space and who inspires people around the world.
Since his youth, he has been a vocal critic of oppression and injustice wherever it exists, from apartheid in South Africa to racism in the United States. Soyinka always speaks truth to power.”
The president also reflected on their shared history, stating, “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 galvanised 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.”
In conclusion, President Tinubu celebrated Soyinka’s enduring spirit and influence, saying, “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 celebrate him for his enduring spirit and for teaching us that literature and drama can be used as a powerful tool to challenge the status quo. I wish Professor Soyinka an incredibly happy 90th birthday.”
