JUST IN: Tinubu Names National Theatre After Wole Soyinka

In a tribute to one of Nigeria’s most illustrious literary figures, President Bola Tinubu has officially renamed the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, after Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka. This announcement came in a heartfelt letter from Tinubu to Soyinka, commemorating the professor’s 90th birthday.

President Tinubu’s letter celebrated Soyinka’s vast contributions to literature and human rights, noting that events around the world, including a symposium and poetry reading in Rabat, Morocco, underscored his global influence. Tinubu praised Soyinka’s courage, recalling his personal sacrifices, such as his imprisonment during the Nigerian Civil War and his relentless fight against tyranny and oppression.

“Professor Soyinka is a colossus, a true Renaissance person blessed with innumerable talents. He is a playwright, actor, poet, human rights and political activist, composer, and singer,” Tinubu stated. He further highlighted Soyinka’s role in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy, particularly his activism following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

The newly renamed “Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts” serves as a testament to Soyinka’s enduring legacy and influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists worldwide.

As Soyinka turns 90, Tinubu expressed immense pride and gratitude for Soyinka’s lifelong commitment to justice and the arts, wishing him an incredibly happy birthday.