Soyinka @90: He can be compared to Nelson Mandela – Prof Siyan Oyeweso

Internationally acclaimed Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has been described as a human rights crusader and novelist who was larger than life and in the mould of Nelson Mandela.

This description was made by a Professor of History and Director, Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Siyan Oyeweso, in his welcome address at the international colloquium held to celebrate the 90th birthday of Prof. Wole Soyinka in Osogbo.

Oyeweso noted that Prof Soyinka, “is larger than life and not only a legend. A literary sage

“He is being celebrated because he turned 90 on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

“The celebrations worldwide are because he is a UNESCO ambassador.”

Oyeweso also described Prof Soyinka as a socially active person who is always on the side of the people.

“He does see himself as great but in the context of the people.

“He is unarguably one of the greatest men of this generation in the likes of Nelson Mandela.

“He also risked his life for the sake of the nation and sought a negotiated solution to Nigeria’s crisis in 1967.

“He spent two years in prison during the General Yakubu Gowon administration.”

Oyeweso also revealed that Prof Soyinka was a founding member of the National Democracy Coalition, NADECO.

“The freedom Nigerians are enjoying was fought by some people because he was part of NADECO and Radio Kudirat.”

The theme of the colloquium is, “Wole Soyinka, culture, social activism and social justice”

The Chairman of the occasion, Orangun of Oke-Ila Orangun, Oba Adedokun Abolarinwa stated that nation-building is an exciting process.

He added that despite the shenanigans that go with it, Nigerians are doing well.

“Professor Wole Soyinka’s birthday is a bridge that will bring the ancient and the coming generation together and learn from our past.

“All we need to do is make it better than what our grandfathers did and to hand over a better Nigeria to those coming after us.”

Professor Awe, Dean, School of Tourism, Performing Arts and Cultural Studies, Lagos State University, LASU, called for a revisit of the reading culture and history among the youths.

“Through reading, they will understand a lot about Nigeria, humanity and culture. Prof Soyinka is one writer that I think every child should read to understand Nigerian culture, African culture, and the place of language in human development.”

He also said the renaming of the National Theatre in Prof Soyinka’s name is a befitting honour.

“What he has done in the area of theatre, culture, language and the literary world as a scholar, I don’t think naming the National Theatre after him is enough.

“It should just be the beginning of better things that Nigeria should do to commemorate and immortalise him. It is a very welcome development.”