In a significant tribute to one of Nigeria’s most esteemed literary figures, President Bola Tinubu has announced that the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, will now be known as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts. This renaming honors Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, who turns 90 on July 13.
President Tinubu made the announcement in a heartfelt birthday message to Soyinka, celebrating his remarkable contributions to literature and his unwavering commitment to human dignity and justice.
“It is also fitting we celebrate this national treasure while he is still with us,” Tinubu stated. “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.”
Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, has been a towering figure in the literary world and a relentless advocate for justice. His life’s work has not only garnered international acclaim but also deeply impacted Nigerian society.
“Professor Soyinka deserves all the accolades as he marks the milestone of 90 years on earth,” Tinubu continued. “Having beaten prostate cancer, this milestone is a fitting testament to his ruggedness as a person and the significance of his work.”
From his early years, Soyinka demonstrated immense courage, notably during the civil war in 1967 when he attempted to mediate peace. Despite enduring deprivation and solitary confinement, his determination to speak truth to power and fight for the marginalized remained unshaken.
His early literary works, such as The Lion and the Jewel and Death and the King’s Horseman, not only showcased his mastery of language and innovative storytelling but also highlighted his steadfast commitment to justice and equity.
Soyinka’s global recognition further amplified Nigeria’s struggle for democracy, particularly during the fight to validate the June 12 election.
President Tinubu concluded his message with a warm birthday wish: “I wish Professor Soyinka an incredibly happy 90th birthday. May he continue to inspire us all to build a nation where people are free from oppression and our teeming youths can live up to their dreams without being a wasted generation.”
The renaming of the National Theatre stands as a testament to Wole Soyinka’s enduring legacy and his invaluable contributions to Nigerian culture and the arts
