₦airaland Forum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27msjKxifBs?si=tv-uAQ8zYuRsQTss

Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, CON @DapoAbiodunCON

The Ogun State Government and its people celebrate Professor Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday, honouring his contributions to literature and society. Professor Soyinka, a global literary icon and cultural ambassador, has enriched world literature and brought pride to our dear State and Nigeria as the first African Nobel Laureate in Literature. 
 
Beyond literature, Professor Soyinka is a dedicated human rights activist and advocate for justice. As a teacher and mentor, he has influenced many emerging writers. On his 90th birthday, we celebrate his achievements and wish him continued health and strength. 

#BuildingOurFutureTogether #ISEYA #DapoAbiodun #OgunState #ProfWoleSoyinkaAt90

Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, CON @DapoAbiodunCON

We, the Ogun State Government, and its people proudly celebrate our son, Professor Wole Soyinka, on his 90th birthday, recognising his immense contributions to literature and society. As a global literary icon and cultural ambassador, he has significantly enriched world literature with his plays, essays, and poems that highlight African experiences.

Professor Soyinka's groundbreaking achievement as the first African to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986 brought immense pride to Nigeria and the entire continent. His works, such as "Death and the King's Horseman," "A Dance of the Forests," and "The Interpreters," are celebrated as literary masterpieces exploring cultural identity, societal norms, and the human spirit.

Beyond his literary genius, Professor Wole Soyinka is a dedicated human rights activist, advocating for justice and democracy often at great personal cost. His fearless stance against tyranny and oppression has made him a beacon of hope and courage, exemplified by his imprisonment during Nigeria's civil war and his lifelong fight against corruption and human rights abuses.

As a teacher and mentor, Professor Soyinka has shaped the minds of countless students and emerging writers, leaving an indelible mark on the next generation. On this milestone of his 90th birthday, we reflect on and celebrate his monumental achievements, praying for his continued good health, strength, and many more years under God's mercy and grace.

#BuildingOurFutureTogether #ISEYA #OgunState #ProfWoleSoyinkaAt90

Photos

Kayode Akinmade @kayodeakinmade_

Abiodun Names Kemta-Idi Aba-Somorin Road After Wole Soyinka

Ogun State Governor, @DapoAbiodunCON has named the 12.5 kilometres Kemta-Idi Aba-Somorin road in Abeokuta, after the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

Governor Abiodun, who spoke at a reception organized by the state government to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Nobel Laureate, in Abeokuta, on Wednesday, said the naming of the road after the world renowned playright was as a result of his achievements in the academia and literature that has brought honour not only to Ogun State and Nigeria, but the black race.

Abiodun said that apart from using his writings to expose human conditions, Prof. Soyinka also showcases the rich and beautiful African culture to the outside world.

"Prof. Wole Soyinka is a towering figure in literature and a Nobel Laureate whose works have echoed across the world. A shining star of our great nation, his life and work are great testaments as a great genius.

His intellectual prowess and his unwavering dedication to the advancement of humanity are without question.

"As a colossus of our era, he continues to exemplify the spirit of resilience through his unwavering commitment to truth and justice.

Throughout his life, he has continued to challenge oppression, using himself as a mighty sword against injustice," Prince Abiodun said.

The governor noted that attaining the age of 90 is a testament to the grace of God who had spared his life, thanking President Bola Tinubu for renaming the National Arts Theatre, Lagos after the erudite scholar, noting that it is a well deserved honour.

"His writings are powerful weapons for social change and enlightenment, rich in symbolism and depth that have captivated audiences globally and transcending cultural boundaries.

"His career span academia, literature and activism exemplifying a profound commitment to creating a just and equitable world," the governor added.

Recounting some of the travails the literal icon went through to ensure an egalitarian society, Governor Abiodun said he was imprisoned during the Nigerian civil war on charges of conspiring with the Biafran succesionists where he spent 22 months, adding that despite that, he still remains resolute for a better society.

He congratulated the celebrant for attaining the age of 90 and prayed for more fruitful years ahead.

The former Secretary of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, while supervising the cutting of the birthday cake, described Prof. Soyinka as a champion of democracy and the promoter of human dignity.

Dignitaries, including former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, amongst others, attended the event.

Professor Soyinka also hosted Governor Abiodun, students who won an essay contest organised by the Wole Soyinka Cultural Exchange and other guests at his house.

Some students performed Professor Soyinka's famous play The Trials of Brother Jero at the event.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkuegr487xE?si=GrzjE1YNcpOIoRi0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzTUQyWvKog?si=t-EJUVqzdTOJie3w

Our father


Prof prof


A man with Grace


An inspiration to the young poet



Age Gracefully Grandpa

BlackfireX:
Gbajue professor
Cultist professor
APc professor

Happy gbajue, sorry birthday

Lungs:
Your father Ode ARIDIN

Lol, these guys are unaware that if global war breaks out today and there are a few planes to save some people, they will put Soyinka, even at 90, in plane ahead of anyone in their clan or tribe, ahead of Obi, ahead of Achebe—no disrepect meant. Lol, such is the might and beauty of being relevant and creating value. No be to dey do cho cho cho.

Look fella, work hard in your life to hit that level. Contribute to mother earth such that your existence will remain indelible dead or alive. Only then, you might even go to call Soyinka names and people would bat an eye. Did you see Chimamanda attempting to attack Soyinka, and how it didn't even fly nor got off the ground—in fact, her rep seems to go solo since that time? That shows it would take a huge lot more than just a writer who rode to success majorly by taking advantage of the populace orientation on same-sex marriage and weaponinzing feminism to bring down not only a global academic icon, who is recognized with Noble Prize for his all-encompassing and impactful works in literature and still proffers values even at 90, but also dedicate his life for the liberation and of the less privilege, like the Igbos during the Biafran war such that he went to jail 20+ months; or the oppressed, like the fight for democracy against the tyrannical Abacha. Peak literature and constructive activism—two vital part of existence (they're not up to 10 in history to achieve those).

Your people need to educate themselves and especially folks like you on the need to be useful to earth on such peak and grand scale. Although, I know they lack an expedient role model, but they need to do something—maybe to find a way to inculcate it in education curriculum across peakest SE schools like UNN, Unizik and others. That will help you people be relevant in matters that matter, be a useful group member of earth, rather than going all-out bellicose, looking to drag useful people down rather than emulating them. You'll do not only the world some good, but also your inconsequential group.

Peace.

Şțvpïð people full this country, no doubt. When it comes to leadership positions, you all clamour for youths to take charge, but when it comes to fighting for "your rights" you suddenly remember the old generation to take the lead. Soyinka won't make any assessment nor lead any protest against Tinubu like some sore losers have been wailing about, you can all go and ðïẽ! 😎

God please bless and keep alive this man

The man of the people

[/color][color=#006600] Abeg ds man don too enjoy from lag to ogun again? Later na oyo n osun plus including ekiti

Lagos Host
OGUN state Host

He's been rewarded for throwing his conscience under the Bus.

Bad news for one region known for waking up their parents with sidekicks.

For those who still don’t know the region I’m referring to, na the region wey dem with crime na 5&6.

Happy birthday Prof!!!

Some people are grieving over this .

The proff is well respected for his contributions to literature and the intellectual body in Nigeria. He has achieved so much and put the nation on the map.

But truth be told. We must stop the game of relevance by association in Nigeria. If he had been vocal against the odds of this APC government he won't receive such honor.

All I see here is eye service and a reward not for his patriotism but his questionable alignment with the government of the day.


I will only speak the truth I know

Jesus loves you ❤️

Noted.

Greatest black man when it comes to literature.

Well deserved.

You're free to wail and shed tears

MossadAgent:
Some people are grieving over this .

Igbos?

[color=#1986BC] This is now becoming a joke..Like a farce that even f**king Soyinka himself would cringe from in the face off unending socio-economic disaster Nigeria has been transformed into.. What's next?...Ondo state follows suite and gives him a f**king bloww job and a lap dance[/color]

haybhi1:
Lol, this guy is unaware that if global war breaks out today and there are a few planes to save some people, they will put Soyinka, even at 90, in plane ahead of anyone in his clan or tribe, ahead of Obi, ahead of Achebe—no disrepect meant. Lol, such is the might of being relevant and creating value. No be to dey do cho cho cho.

Look fella, work hard in your life to hit that level. Contribute to mother earth such that your existence will remain indelible dead or alive

And you failed to mention yourself... I guess you belong to the people to that would be left behind

Weeping and crying in the land of the drug pushers