In a tribute to commemorate the 90th birthday of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, President Bola Tinubu has renamed the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
President Tinubu’s announcement was part of a heartfelt tribute titled “Professor Wole Soyinka at 90: Tribute to a national treasure and global icon,” which he personally signed and shared with journalists on Friday. The tribute celebrates Soyinka’s vast contributions to literature and human rights, as well as his personal resilience, having overcome prostate cancer.
Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria and the world admire Soyinka’s literary genius, highlighting his role as the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize in 1986. The President remarked, “Professor Soyinka 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.”
The renaming of the National Theatre is seen as a fitting homage to Soyinka’s enduring legacy. President Tinubu stated, “It is also fitting we celebrate this national treasure while he is still with us. I am, accordingly, delighted 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.”
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Soyinka’s impact extends beyond his literary accomplishments. He is celebrated for his dedication to human dignity and justice. Tinubu noted, “Nigeria not only celebrates Soyinka’s remarkable literary achievements but also his unwavering dedication to the values of human dignity and justice.”
Describing Soyinka as a “colossus” and a “true renaissance person,” Tinubu praised his multi-faceted talents as a playwright, actor, poet, human rights and political activist, composer, and singer. He added that Soyinka’s influence transcends Nigerian borders, inspiring people globally through his vocal criticism of oppression and injustice.
Reflecting on Soyinka’s bravery, Tinubu recounted his personal risks for the nation, including his efforts to broker peace during the Nigerian civil war and his subsequent imprisonment. Despite the hardships of solitary confinement, Soyinka’s resolve to fight for the marginalized remained steadfast.
Tinubu also mentioned their shared history in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria, highlighting Soyinka’s continuous advocacy for justice and democracy since his youth.
This renaming of the National Theatre is not just a tribute to Soyinka’s literary brilliance but also a recognition of his lifelong dedication to justice and human rights.
