By Sabiu Abdullahi
In celebration of Professor Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday, President Bola Tinubu has announced the renaming of the National Theatre in Lagos to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
In a statement, President Tinubu praised Soyinka as a “national treasure and global icon” who has made significant contributions to literature, human rights, and political activism.
He noted Soyinka’s role in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy and his influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists.
Tinubu portrays that Soyinka’s recent triumph over prostate cancer makes the milestone of 90 years a fitting testament to his ruggedness and the significance of his work, adding that it’s important to celebrate the Nobel Laureate’s achievements while he is still alive.
The renaming of the National Theatre is a fitting tribute to Soyinka’s legacy, which has inspired countless individuals around the world.
The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts will serve as a cultural hub, promoting the arts and creative expression.
Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize in 1986, is a renowned playwright, poet, and political activist.
His birthday celebrations will include a symposium and poetry reading in Rabat, Morocco, organized by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA).