Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, has made an appeal to the Nigerian federal government to honor Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka as he approaches his 90th birthday.
The monarch’s request includes declaring July 13th as an annual “Wole Soyinka Day” and conferring upon the literary icon the second-highest national honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of Nigeria (GCON).
During a Royal Press Conference and Lunch held on Tuesday, Oba Gbadebo announced, “Henceforth, July 13th shall be celebrated as Wole Soyinka Day in Egbaland.” This declaration was made on behalf of all Egba sons and daughters, both at home and abroad, highlighting the immense pride the Egba people take in Soyinka’s global achievements.
The press conference was organized to unveil plans for a two-day celebration of Soyinka’s 90th birthday, scheduled for July 12th and 13th, 2024. The event, themed “Defiance and Creativity: A Celebration of Soyinka’s Artistic Ingenuity and Impact on Nigeria, Africa and The Entire World,” aims to showcase the Nobel Laureate’s enduring influence on literature and culture.
Oba Gbadebo emphasized the rationale behind this grand celebration, stating, “We, the people of Egbaland, decided to organize a special 90th birthday celebration for Soyinka because of his global recognition and giant strides in the field of literature.” He further noted, “Soyinka, an indigene of Ake in Egbaland, deserves to be celebrated elaborately during his forthcoming 90th birthday by his kinsmen, for bringing international honor to Egbaland, Ogun State, and Nigeria, as the first African to win a Nobel Prize in Literature.”
The monarch’s call for national recognition underscores the significance of Soyinka’s contributions to Nigeria’s cultural landscape. “Soyinka has brought much honor to Nigeria through his literary works, hence, he should be celebrated not only by the Egba people but Nigeria as a nation,” Oba Gbadebo asserted.
The birthday celebration promises to be a rich cultural experience, featuring various events that reflect Soyinka’s multifaceted legacy. These include art exhibitions by pupils from Saint Peters Primary School, Ake, and Abeokuta Grammar School – the primary and secondary schools Soyinka attended.
Additionally, there will be exhibitions by the Ogun State chapter of the Society of Nigerian Artists, book exhibitions by Spectrum Publishing Company, documentaries, poetry recitals, cultural performances, and hunting expeditions by hunters in Egbaland.
Paul Segun Bankole, the Convener of the Committee on Wole Soyinka at 90, echoed the sentiment of celebration, stating, “Soyinka deserves to be celebrated as he joins the nonagenarian club.”
Wole Soyinka, born on July 13, 1934, in Abeokuta, has been a towering figure in African literature for decades. His works, which span various genres including plays, novels, and poetry, have been celebrated for their incisive critique of societal issues and their artistic brilliance. In 1986, Soyinka became the first African to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, cementing his place in the global literary canon.
As Nigeria prepares to honor one of its most illustrious sons, the call for a National Day of Recognition and a prestigious national honor reflects the deep impact Soyinka has had on Nigerian culture and international literature.
The upcoming celebration not only marks a personal milestone for Soyinka but also serves as a reminder of the power of literature to shape national identity and inspire generations.
