BREAKING: Tinubu Renames National Theatre To Honour Wole Soyinka at 90
- Tinubu has renamed the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, Lagos, to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts
- Tinubu disclosed this in a birthday tribute he personally signed, noting that it is fitting to celebrate this national treasure while he is still alive
- Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka will turn 90 on Saturday, July 13, and over 80 schools in Nigeria will celebrate the Nobel Laureate for one month
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements
On Friday, July 12, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu named the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, after Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.
![90th birthday: Wole Soyinka receives special honour 90th birthday: Wole Soyinka receives special honour](https://cdn.legit.ng/images/1120/aadb7abcbba28bb8.jpeg?v=1)
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Tinubu announced this in a letter he personally wrote and signed to the iconic figure in commemoration of his 90th birthday.
The letter was made available to the press by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity.
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Recall that Wole Soyinka, born in 1934, will be 90 on July 13, 2024.
Interestingly, over 80 schools in Nigeria have been scheduled to celebrate Soyinka for one month with an exhibition that includes performances, stage plays, and others.
In his tribute, Tinubu noted that the literary giant, the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize in 1986, deserves all the accolades for reaching this milestone.
“Having beaten prostate cancer, this milestone is a fitting testament to his ruggedness as a person and the significance of his work.”
Speaking further, the president added that it was fitting to celebrate Soyinka, whom he described as a national treasure, while he's still with us.
National Theatre in Iganmu gets new name
However, he added that he was delighted to announce the federal government's decision to rename the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Tinubu, also disclosed this in a statement shared on his X page on Friday.
"We do not only celebrate Soyinka’s remarkable literary achievements but also his unwavering dedication to the values of human dignity and justice," the statement partly read.
Why Tinubu should declare July 13 Wole Soyinka Day
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Alake of Egba Land Oba Adedotun Gbadebo told President Bola Tinubu to honour Professor Wole Soyinka.
According to the monarch, the president should declare July 13 as Soyinka Day to celebrate the contribution of the Nobel Prize winner to humanity.
Gbadebo said the federal government should honour Soyinka with the Grand Commander of Order of Niger.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng