Wole Soyinka celebrates 80th Birthday

"There were great African writers before Soyinka happened to Africa. Some wrote in their indigenous languages and as a result had a restricted audience. There were and there are still great Africa writers who are contemporaries of Soyinka. Many though contemporaries of Soyinka, still wrote in the language of yore leaving the reader with the literary taste that the writer was attempting to re-create African past. Not Soyinka. He communicated in the contemporary language of his time and with such suaveness that both awe and appeal. There will continue to be great African writers after Soyinka. Soyinka is however not just a great African writer. Neither is he just another literary icon.

He is literature. His life sealed and cemented his place in African history. Soyinka's being has come to represent a theatre in 3D as his very life embodies the very substance great dramas are made of. At a relatively young age, when many feared to dare, Kongi, a one man battalion stormed the broadcasting house in the then Western region of Nigeria, and successfully replaced the recorded lies of one of the thieving politicians at the time, with his. That was Soyinka, literature in motion."

Tunji Ariyomo (@olatunjiariyomo)

 is a development strategist and a chattered engineer.

Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan on the 12th of july congratulated Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, as he attained the age of 80 years today. The President equally commended him for his contribution to arts, development of the country and humanity. 

The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati.

"President Jonathan felicitates with the globally-renowned academic, dramatist, poet and literary icon as he celebrates the attainment of another significant milestone in a long, very fulfilled and achievement-laden life. "As he (Soyinka) enters the elite club of the world's highly revered octogenarians and very special people who have made very significant and indelible contributions to their countries and humanity, the President joins Prof. Soyinka, his family, friends, associates, readers and fans across the world in giving thanks to God Almighty for his glorious life of service to the arts, his nation and mankind at large.

"On the happy occasion of the Nobel laureate's 80th birthday, President Jonathan applauds his life-long dedication and indefatigable commitment to using his acclaimed genius and talents, not only in the service of the arts, but also for the promotion of democracy, good governance and respect for human rights in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. "The President assures Prof. Soyinka that he will always be celebrated and honoured by his proud countrymen, women and children for his famed literary works and for his exemplary career which has inspired others to take up a life of selfless service to humanity. "He wishes Prof. Soyinka very happy 80th birthday celebrations and prays that God Almighty will grant him many more years of good health and strength to continue with his devotion to making the world a better place for his people and all who live in it" the statement concluded.

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allafrica.com