In a heartfelt birthday message, President Bola Tinubu has renamed the National Theatre in Lagos after Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, ahead of his 90th birthday on July 13.
This decision acknowledges Soyinka’s contributions to African literature and advocacy for human rights.
President Tinubu praised Soyinka’s literary works, which have shaped the landscape and championed dignity and justice.
He highlighted Soyinka’s resilience, unyielding commitment to using literature and activism to confront oppression, and his pivotal role in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy.
The renaming of the National Theatre as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts is a defining moment in Nigeria’s cultural landscape, immortalizing a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
This gesture celebrates Soyinka’s enduring legacy, bravery, and influence, and acknowledges his status as the first African Nobel Literature Prize winner.
The National Theatre, completed in 1976, is the primary centre for performing arts in Nigeria and has played a significant role in the country’s cultural heritage.
The renaming ceremony is set to be a momentous occasion, honoring a national treasure and inspiring future generations.
“We celebrate this national treasure while he is still with us,” President Tinubu expressed, adding, “I am delighted to announce the decision of the Federal Government to rename the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.”
