President Bola Tinubu has renamed the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, in honor of Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka. The announcement was made as part of a tribute commemorating Soyinka's 90th birthday.
In his message titled “Professor Wole Soyinka at 90: Tribute to a national treasure and global icon,” Tinubu expressed admiration for Soyinka's contributions to literature and human rights. The President highlighted that July 13 would mark the peak of various celebratory events for Soyinka both locally and internationally.
Tinubu praised Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, for his resilience and significant achievements, noting that the renaming of the theatre to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts is a fitting tribute. He emphasized Soyinka's extensive impact as a writer, human rights advocate, and cultural icon, whose influence spans globally.
Reflecting on Soyinka's life, Tinubu remarked on his bravery and dedication to justice, including his imprisonment during the Nigerian civil war and his lifelong stance against oppression. The President also recalled their shared efforts during Nigeria's struggle for democracy post-1993.
In closing, Tinubu affirmed Soyinka's enduring legacy as a monumental figure in literature and a champion of human dignity and justice.
