President Bola Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, as he marked his 91st birthday, describing him as a beacon of inspiration to Nigeria and the global literary community.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised Soyinka for his outstanding contributions to literature, human rights, and national development.
“Professor Wole Soyinka remains a literary colossus and a cultural icon whose works have profoundly shaped intellectual and social discourse within and beyond Nigeria,” the President said.
Tinubu acknowledged Soyinka’s pivotal role in advancing education, democratic ideals, and cultural diplomacy. He also lauded him for being the first African to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, a feat he achieved in 1986.
“His artistic brilliance is evident in his plays, poems, memoirs, and essays. Over the decades, he has championed the causes of justice and freedom, while remaining deeply committed to the development of our nation,” Tinubu noted.
Reflecting on their personal relationship, Tinubu expressed admiration for Soyinka’s patriotism and unwavering commitment to national progress.
“I value my association with Professor Soyinka and the several collaborations we have had in the past aimed at fostering Nigeria’s development,” he said. “At 91, he continues to be a guiding light for writers and thinkers across generations.”
The President further wished the literary icon continued good health and strength as he embarks on what he called “the final decade before reaching his centennial milestone.”
“Professor Soyinka is a rare patriot whose legacy will forever inspire not only Nigerians but also the global community,” Tinubu added.
Wole Soyinka, who became the first African laureate of the Nobel Prize for Literature, is internationally acclaimed for his fearless activism and groundbreaking literary contributions.
