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Wole Soyinka/National Theatre
By Donatus Anichukwueze
President Bola Tinubu has renamed the National Theatre in Lagos after Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.
Tinubu announced this in a birthday message to the Nobel laureate who turns 90 on July 13.
“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 was quoted to have said in a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale.
He noted that the President saluted one of Nigeria’s living repositories of history, knowledge, and courage, and commends him for his valiant efforts in the trenches for the nation’s future both as a pro-democracy champion and as a trenchant voice against corruption and maladministration over several decades.
Tinubu described Professor 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 June 12, 1993 presidential election.
“When faced with a trial in absentia and 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.”
Professor Soyinka is a globally celebrated playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, actor, singer, composer, and documentarian.
He is also a foremost advocate of good governance and of a fair and just society.
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; Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award; Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, (Lifetime Achievement); and the Europe Theatre Prize – (Special Prize).
The National Theatre which was started by General Yakubu Gowon’s regime, was completed in 1976 by General Olusegun Obasanjo regime in preparation for the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 1977.
It has since become a major centre for the performing arts in Nigeria.
The renaming of the National Theatre after Soyinka is coming a month after President Tinubu named the Arterial Road N20 in Abuja in honour of the Nobel Laureate.
The President inaugurated the road, which runs from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) in Abuja on June 4.
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