- Obi, Sanwo-Olu celebrate icon
President of Centre for Change Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin has described Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka as a genius of poesy who “captivates us in its gripping hold, not once, not twice but lifelong.”
Okei-Odumakin, who is also the President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, stated this in a birthday titled ‘Kongi: still solid into time’ dedicated to Prof Soyinka who will be 89 years on July 13.
She wrote, “For those who understand, the grace of waking up is beyond knowledge, but waking up to share the earth with some extremely rare humans is a grand privilege.
“Every such cycle is then cherished for seeing and the spectacle.
“We again celebrate Kongi whose genius of poesy captivates us in its gripping hold, not once, not twice but lifelong.
“We pray for ourselves, nay, for you to be here much farther into your literary royalty.
“That you, Kongi, being already eternal in text, will experience your ‘eternal’ in health, with more generations into your living ancestry.
“Happy birthday KONGI.
“Many happy returns Professor Wole Soyinka.”
Also the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 25 February election, Mr Peter Obi felicitated the Nobel Laureate.
The Nigerian literary icon turned 89 on Thursday, 13 July 2023.
Obi, in a message of goodwill posted on his Twitter handle, noted that the Soyinka has remained a reverted figure by his compatriots for his life achievements.
He hailed the octogenarian for his commitment to the struggle for a better Nigeria and humanity in general.
His message reads: “My respected dear father Prof. Wole Soyinka, I join your family, friends and admirers in celebrating with you as you mark your 89th birthday today. We thank God for the gift of your life in good health.
“As a person and literary icon, you have remained a revered and renowned figure, held in very high esteem by your compatriots and others all over the world.
“I salute your commitment and contributions in the struggle for a better Nigeria and humanity.
“While wishing you many happy returns of this day, I pray God to grant you more health of mind and body as you continue to positively contribute to our collective nation-building efforts.”
Also, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the literary giant is worth celebrating as one of Nigeria’s advocates of good governance, adding that the Nobel Laureate remained one of Nigeria’s pride and biggest exports to the world.
In a congratulatory message on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, he described Prof. Soyinka as “a quintessential scholar and literary icon who has used his position and experience to contribute positively to literature, academics and governance globally.”
oyinka, a 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature winner and the first sub-Saharan African to be honoured in that category clocked 89 on Thursday, July 13.
He said: “On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate our literary icon and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Oluwole Soyinka on his 89th birthday anniversary.
“Prof. Soyinka as a literary icon excels in all the genres of literature and his prodigious works have continued to be a reference point in academic circles all over the world. His long years of outstanding accomplishments and consistency in the crusade for the wellbeing of citizens had culminated in his legendary status. He is a great pride to Nigeria, Africa and the entire black race.
“He is a renowned advocate of truth, justice and equity, who always align with the populace in the clamour for good governance across the nation and globally. He has demonstrated this on many occasions by lending his voice on national and global issues in favour of the masses.
“As Prof. Soyinka clocks 89, I wish him good health and more years of meritorious service to our dear country, Nigeria, the African continent and the world.”
