The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated the Nobel Laureate and world-renowned literary giant, Prof. Oluwole Akinwande Soyinka, on his 90th birthday.
The 1986 Nobel Prize winner in Literature was born on July 13, 1934 in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
He was once described as one “who in a wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones fashions the drama of existence”.
Governor Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, said Prof. Soyinka deserves to be celebrated for making Nigeria and Africa proud by the great impact he has made in the literary world and on humanity.
The Governor described Prof. Soyinka as a pride to the Black race, a legend of the arts and a multi-talented genius whose influence and impact transcended several generations.
According to Oyebanji, the world has felt the impact and has been blessed by Soyinka’s roles as a writer, an author, a playwright, a novelist, a dramatist, a scholar and pro democracy activist.
He noted that the highpoint of the nonagenarian’s career was winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, which sent his name into history books as the first African writer to achieve the feat.
Besides arts, Governor Oyebanji also hailed Prof. Soyinka, affectionately referred to as Kongi by his admirers, as a voice for the oppressed, a civil rights activist, a pro-democracy icon and a social justice crusader who speaks truth to power.
He pointed out that Prof. Soyinka, at the risk of his life, stood to be counted in the fight to end military rule in Nigeria and his advocacy contributed immensely to the return of civil rule, which was achieved in 1999.
Hailing the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to name the National Arts Theatre after him, the governor described it as a befitting birthday gift for the literary giant.
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He prayed to God to grant the literary giant more fruitful years of service to Nigeria and the global community and sound health to enjoy the rest of his life in the land of the living.
Oyebanji said: On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I congratulate this literary giant and global citizen, Prof. Soyinka, whose life and works continue to inspire many to dare to be great.
“Our prayer is that you will live the rest of your years in joy and sound health.”
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