President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on his 92nd birthday, describing him as a global icon and Nigeria’s literary star.
This is contained in a statement personally signed by the President on Sunday in Abuja.
Tinubu described Soyinka as an exceptional personality whose courage, intellect and lifelong advocacy for justice had illuminated humanity’s path.
“Exceptional individuals like Professor Soyinka do not come often in a generation, men who illuminate the paths for humanity to follow across diverse endeavours.
“They are not afraid to go against convention and do not let the man die in the face of oppression and injustice,” he said.
The president congratulated the playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, actor and irrepressible advocate of good governance on the milestone.
Tinubu recalled Soyinka’s historic emergence as the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.
He also highlighted Soyinka’s numerous international honours, including the Benson Medal, Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Lifetime Achievement.
The president particularly recalled Soyinka’s decades-long struggle against military dictatorship and his role in the June 12 democratic struggle.
“I recall Professor Soyinka’s valiant struggle against military dictatorship for decades and his efforts in the June 12 struggle, for which we were both in the trenches.
“Today, I salute one of our nation’s living repositories of history, knowledge and courage. That he is with us is a gift we will always treasure,” Tinubu said.
He thanked Soyinka for his enduring faith in the Nigerian project and his wise counsel on national issues.
Tinubu said the literary icon’s works and activism had profoundly influenced generations of writers, scholars and activists globally.
“As he marks this birthday, I join the world in celebrating his profound influence on generations of writers, scholars and activists, as well as his sacrifices for our nation.
“I wish ‘Kongi’ many more years in excellent health,” the president said.
