Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has congratulated Nobel Laureate and world-renowned literary giant, Prof. Oluwole Soyinka, on his 90th birthday.
Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, on Saturday, said Soyinka deserved to be celebrated for making Nigeria and Africa proud.
He said that Soyinka made great impact in the literary world and on humanity.
The governor described him as a pride to the Black race, a legend of the arts and a multi-talented genius whose influence and impact transcended several generations.
According to Oyebanji, the world has felt the impact and has been blessed by Soyinka’s roles as a writer, an author, a playwright, a novelist, a dramatist, a scholar and pro- democracy activist.
The governor noted that the highpoint of the nonagenarian career was winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, which sent his name into history books as the first African writer to achieve the feat.
Oyebanji also hailed Soyinka, affectionately referred to as “Kongi” by his admirers, as a voice for the oppressed, a civil rights activist, a pro-democracy icon and a social justice crusader who speaks truth to power.
He pointed out that Soyinka, at the risk for his life, stood to be counted in the fight to end military rule in Nigeria and his advocacy contributed immensely to the return of civil rule which was achieved in 1999.
Hailing the decision of President Bola Tinubu to name the National Arts Theatre after Soyinka, the governor described it as a befitting birthday gift for the literary giant.
He prayed to God to grant the Soyinka more fruitful years of service to Nigeria and the global community, and sound health to enjoy the rest of his life.
“ On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti, I congratulate this literary giant and global citizen, Soyinka, whose life and works continue to inspire many to dare to be great.
” Our prayer is that you will
live the rest of your years in joy and sound health.”
The 1986 Nobel Prize winner in Literature who was described as one “who in a wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones, fashions the drama of existence”, was born in Abeokuta on July 13, 1934.
