In a grand gesture celebrating the life and legacy of Nigeria’s literary giant, President Bola Tinubu has officially renamed the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
This historic move commemorates Soyinka’s 90th birthday, acknowledging his profound impact on Nigerian literature and his unwavering commitment to justice and equality.
In a heartfelt letter to Soyinka, President Tinubu expressed his admiration, stating: “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.”
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Tinubu highlighted Soyinka’s remarkable achievements, including his Nobel Literature Prize in 1986, and praised his courage in speaking truth to power, saying: “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.”
The president also acknowledged Soyinka’s influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists, stating: “Today, I join the world to celebrate his profound influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists who have been inspired by his work.”
The renaming of the National Theatre marks a significant milestone in Soyinka’s illustrious career, solidifying his legacy as a literary icon and a champion of justice and equality.
