The first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize Prof. Wole Soyinka has been honoured in commiseration of his 90th birthday.
The President of the federal republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu has named the National Arts Theatre in Lagos state after him while the Royal Academy of Morocco in collaboration with the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) awarded Prof. Soyinka with a Gold Medal in recognition of his exceptional influence on the development of world literature.
In a tribute signed by President Tinubu and made available to newsmen on Friday, he described Prof. Soyinka as a national treasure. According to him Nigeria not only celebrates Soyinka’s remarkable literary achievements, but also his unwavering dedication to the values of human dignity and justice.
Moreso, the President of the World Organisation of Writers (WOW), Margarita Ai, presented a Gold Medal to the Nigerian for his contribution to the development of world literature at a Gala night in Rabat, Morocco on July 9.
The Permanent Secretary of the Royal Academy, Abdeljalil Lahjomri, praised the celebrant for his unwavering dedication to depicting African realities, calling him a “defender of African cultures” and a keen observer of the continent’s complexities. Lahjomri also noted Soyinka’s refusal to align with the Negritude movement, highlighting his continuous fight against all forms of domination.
Born in 1934, Wole Soyinka began his literary journey in Nigeria and later achieved international acclaim for his compelling works that delve into themes of tradition, modernity, oppression, justice, and human dignity. Soyinka’s notable works, such as “A Dance of the Forests” (1966) and “Death and the King’s Horseman” (1975), have left a lasting impact on the literary world. His 2021 novel, “Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth,” continues to demonstrate his mastery of using satire to critique societal issues.
