By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the renaming of the National Theatre in Surulere, Lagos State, after the first African Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.
The President announced that the cultural centre will now be known as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
Tinubu in a press release issued by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, said the decision is to pay tribute to Soyinka who turns 90 on July 13, 2024.
The president was quoted as saying in the statement: “Today, I join the world to celebrate his profound influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists who have been inspired by his work. I celebrate him for giving us the spark to fight and confront military dictators in our country.
“I am, accordingly, delighted to have the honour 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.”
Tinubu also described Soyinka as one of the finest minds of his generation; conforming to the highest standards of human enlightenment, but unyielding to injustice, oppression, and base impulses.
Speaking further on the Nobel Laureate, Tinubu said: “Our paths crossed during our just struggle for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
“When faced with a trial in absentia and a death sentence by the military regime at home, he galvanized opposition in exile through NALICON and NADECO. His global stature made him the face of our struggle to validate June 12 and restore democracy in Nigeria.”
The New Diplomat reports that this comes after Tinubu honoured Soyinka by naming an Arterial Road N20 road after him.
It would be recalled also that Soyinka is a globally celebrated playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, actor, singer, composer, and documentarian.
He won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1986 – the first African to win the Prize in that category.
The Nobel Prize Laureate is a recipient of many other reputable awards, such as the Benson Medal from the Royal Society of Literature; the Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award; the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, (Lifetime Achievement); and the Europe Theatre Prize – (Special Prize).
