Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun: Don’t let the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature die, by Bode Opeseitan

Shock, then tears of joy gently rolled down my cheeks earlier today as I heard President Bola Ahmed Tinubu confer Nigeria’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on Professor Wole Soyinka—Nigeria’s only Nobel Laureate to this day.

That honour, which is primarily to celebrate his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic struggle, came 39 long years after WS made Nigeria proud by becoming the first African writer to win that globally acclaimed distinction.

Yet between 1986 and now, Nigeria failed to fittingly recognise and celebrate this epic moment of intellectual prowess. From the Federal Government to the states and the private sector, multiple actors neglected to seize the momentum and honour this iconic emblem of our nation’s cerebral depth.

The only private entity that truly went all out to recognise the aura and significance of a Nobel Laureate was Globacom, lead sponsor of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature for three consecutive years. That equally iconic national brand spared no resources to make it remarkable.

By next month, WS will be 91. For this exceptional man of letters, his most vital legacy—aligned with his life’s purpose—is the WS Prize for Literature. I recall him once asking Dr. Promise Ugochukwu and me, “Is this how Nigerians will allow the Prize to die?” Sadly, the shame is not on WS; it rests on us all as a nation.

Prof has access to the President, state governors, and captains of industry. But true to his principles, he restrains himself from requesting personal favours—even though asking institutions to support the Prize isn’t personal; it’s a national call to service.

He expects leaders to recognise the Prize’s significance and rally behind it unprompted.

We once approached the Lagos and Ogun state governments in particular to sponsor the Prize, yet their focus seems geared more toward entertainment than this intellectual cornerstone.

Today, we renew our call: Governors of his dwelling state (Lagos) and home state (Ogun)—step forward and sponsor this Prize.

Governor Dapo Abiodun rightly celebrated WS at the recent Gateway Games. But sponsoring the WS Prize holds far greater value to Prof than inviting him to read a poem.

Governor Sanwo-Olu is smart and intellectually inclined. Surely, Lagos State—a hub of culture—should champion a national treasure like this.

Therefore, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun: Step forward. Take up this mantle. Don’t let this Prize die. Honour the legacy of the man who brought enduring honour to our nation.