‘Uncommon patriot, global icon’ — Tinubu celebrates Wole Soyinka at 91
By Kunle Sanni –
President Bola Tinubu has praised Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka as a towering figure in global literature and a source of enduring inspiration, as the iconic writer marks his 91st birthday.
In a tribute issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Soyinka as an “uncommon patriot” whose contributions to literature, democracy, human rights, and national development have left an indelible mark on Nigeria and the world.
“Professor Soyinka is an extraordinary artist and intellectual whose body of work—from plays and poems to essays and memoirs—continues to shape thought and culture globally,” Tinubu said. “He is not only the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, but also a relentless voice for justice and progress.”
President Tinubu highlighted Soyinka’s decades of involvement in education, cultural diplomacy, and pro-democracy movements, adding that he remains a major inspiration for young writers around the world.
Reflecting on his personal relationship with the literary icon, Tinubu said: “I value my association with Professor Soyinka and our collaborations to advance the progress and development of Nigeria.”
The President commended Soyinka’s “undying love for the country” and his continued engagement in public discourse and advocacy, even at the age of 91.
“On this special day that marks the beginning of the journey into the last decade of his centennial, I wish Professor Wole Soyinka good health and more years in sound mind,” the statement added.
