President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka on his 90th birthday, hailing him as a literary giant and a champion of democracy and good governance. In a statement, President Tinubu praised Soyinka’s contributions to Nigeria’s struggle for democracy and his unwavering stance against corruption and oppression.
The President announced that the Federal Government has decided to rename the National Theatre in Lagos as The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, in recognition of Soyinka’s profound influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists.
Soyinka, a renowned playwright, novelist, poet, and essayist, was the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. He has received numerous awards for his work and has been a vocal advocate for human rights and social justice.
President Tinubu’s tribute to Soyinka highlights their shared history in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria, particularly during the June 12, 1993, presidential election crisis. The President praised Soyinka’s courage and leadership in exile, which helped to galvanize opposition against military rule and pave the way for Nigeria’s return to democracy.
The renaming of the National Theatre is a fitting tribute to Soyinka’s legacy, and it is expected to serve as a hub for cultural and creative expression in Nigeria.
