Though the eminent scholar, playwright, poet and humanist would have most popular a quiet celebration, his colleagues determined in any other case.
YOU don't flip 90 and anticipate the event to move quietly, particularly if you find yourself Africa's first Nobel Peace Prize winner, a humanist, a job mannequin, a thorn within the aspect of dictators and a beacon of hope for humanity. To cite the late US Congressman John Lewis, you may't have “good issues, essential issues” to save lots of the soul of Nigeria and never be loudly celebrated.
As we strategy his ninetieth birthday on Saturday, July 13, associates, colleagues and mentees of Professor Wole Soyinka have initiated a world celebration in honour of the enduring author. It is a testomony to the profound impression of his work, which has resonated throughout continents and cultures, and a recognition of the inimitable poet, playwright, essayist and satirist who deserves all of the actions for his milestones and extra.
Kongi, as he’s affectionately recognized, has packed a lot into his 90 years on earth. The aspects of this life properly lived will likely be highlighted in celebrations this month in Africa, Europe and the US.
On Tuesday, July 9, in Rabat, Morocco, the nation's Academy and the Pan African Writers Affiliation (PAWA) will collectively set up a session titled 'A Celebration of Wole Soyinka @ 90' with a symposium, poetry readings and a gala night.
Two days later, the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) Worldwide Symposium on the theme 'Eni Ogun: An Enduring Legacy' will happen on the JF Ade Ajayi Auditorium of the College of Lagos at 10am.
The symposium, in collaboration with the Wole Soyinka Worldwide Cultural Trade (WSICE), will welcome the next audio system: Professors Niyi Osundare, Tunde Adeniran, Olu Obafemi, Bereket Selassie, Ahmed Yerima, Mabel Evwierhoma, Florence Orabueze, Tanimu Abubakar, Razinat Mohammed and Yemi Osinbajo.
An announcement from NAL defined that the occasion is a tribute to Soyinka, a Distinguished Basis Fellow of the Academy, “celebrated for his highly effective phrases, in depth literary works and constant advocacy for justice, good governance and the dignity of Nigerians and black individuals globally.”
Later that night, Kola Tubosun’s documentary movie ‘Ebrohimie Street: A Museum of Reminiscence’, shot by Tunde Kelani, will premiere. The documentary will add considerably to the festivities. It centres on the campus constructing of the College of Ibadan the place Professor Soyinka lived as a lecturer. He was arrested there in 1967 on expenses of ‘espionage’ for daring to go to the Biafran Republic to cease the late Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, chief of the secessionist group, from waging struggle on the Nigerian authorities.
On July 15, 'The Noble Warrior- Eni Ogun', a play by the multimedia literary, theatre and movie firm Adubifa Community Firm, will premiere on the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta.
Written by Aiye-ko-ooto, directed by Segun Adefila and produced by Money Onadele, the manufacturing can also be a collaboration between WSICE and Adubifa Community Firm. After its premiere, will probably be staged on the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on July 20 and 21, with two reveals every day.
“With a fastidiously chosen forged and technical crew, this celebratory cultural heritage piece showcases the model persona of the lead actor, just like Wole Soyinka, and highlights related persona traits as a fighter and the humane warrior throughout his 90-year keep on Earth,” defined government producer Toye Arulogun.
The fifteenth annual Wole Soyinka Worldwide Cultural Trade themed ‘Participating Nationwide Curiosity in Good Governance, Understanding, and Nation-Constructing’ will likely be held in two elements. The primary half, a mixture of digital and bodily actions, will likely be held from 13 to 16 July in Nigeria, whereas the second half, from 19 to 27 July, will likely be held at The Africa Centre in London, United Kingdom.
The organizers defined that the theme 'ENIOGUN' is a abstract of Soyinka's over seven many years of dedication and battle as a nationalist, patriot and humanist as evidenced by his inventive work and steady engagement with the general public.
ENIOGUN embodies his lifelong dedication to the reason for nation constructing by his tireless battle for the nationwide curiosity that may guarantee good governance for the welfare of the overall citizenry.
Starting July 19, The Africa Centre will host exhibitions, roundtables, movie screenings, reside music performances and poetry readings. Guests can discover Soyinka’s literary journey with “WS: A Life in Full” — an intensive exhibition of his revealed works and images from his archive. This exhibition can even embrace a uncommon presentation of Soyinka’s assortment of Onicha Market literature.
There can even be every day screenings of movies and documentaries associated to or impressed by Soyinka’s life and work, and Kongi’s Nights, a collection of night leisure that includes reside music performances by Ed Keazor & the AfroFunk Collective, Juwon Ogungbe, Lekan Babalola, Aduke, Kayefi, MeOlogo, Jazz Session with Bumi Thomas and Music Celebration with DJ Abass. Actions can even embrace talks, seminars and workshops on ‘Navigating the New Publishing Business’, ‘The Influence of AI on Tradition & Id’, ‘Tradition Sponsorship & Company Social Accountability’ and a seminar on ‘The Future Is Now – A Decolonisation Intersection’, by associate establishment Bournemouth College. Utopia Theatre will host a digital unveiling of Soyinka’s portrait on the College of Sheffield.
Additionally on the programme is 'Ijo-mode', a dance workshop for younger individuals with Peter Badejo, OBE, and the presentation of prizes to the winners of the essay competitors on the theme 'AI & New Media: Reimagining Tradition, Id & Humanity', organised in collaboration with TURAKA Artwork Centre, Chatham.
Commenting, Dr. Teju Kareem, Government Producer of Wole Soyinka Worldwide Cultural Trade mentioned: “Prof. Soyinka has persistently pursued the betterment of society by his help for freedom and the frequent good of all, no matter age, class, gender, non secular or political opinions – making his work a world service to humanity. His profession spanning academia, literature and activism exemplifies a profound dedication to making a simply and equitable world, encapsulating the essence of ENIOGUN as each a private and common endeavor.”
Olu Alake, CEO of The Africa Centre, added: “This yr marks a twin trigger for celebration: the sixtieth anniversary of The Africa Centre and the ninetieth birthday of a world literary large, Wole Soyinka. We’re extremely honoured to associate with WSICE to have fun the outstanding lifetime of Professor Soyinka and his lengthy affiliation with the Centre, which dates again to 1969. He isn’t solely a literary icon but additionally an integral a part of our historical past. We’re delighted to host this momentous event and share Professor Soyinka’s story with all generations of literature lovers.”
On July 12, Professor Awam Amkpa directed and Femi Odugbemi produced The Man Died, based mostly on Soyinka’s jail notes. The movie will likely be screened on the NAL convention in Lagos and in a while July 25 in London.
“This isn’t the premiere but, however a particular screening to commemorate the ninetieth birthday of Professor Wole Soyinka,” mentioned the organizers, who pressured that company will likely be admitted solely on the premise of their invitation and RSVP. The 110-minute movie, which will likely be shot completely in Lagos and Ibadan in late 2023, will characteristic the crème de la crème of Nigerian actors.
Amongst them are Wale Ojo as Soyinka, Sam Dede as the primary antagonist, and Yisa, Soyinka's interrogator and torturer. Hollywood rising actor Abraham Amkpa performed Soyinka's bosom buddy, Femi Johnson. Others are Nobert Younger (Jail Inspector), Francis Onwochei (Jail Controller), Edmund Enaibe (AIG), Christina Oshunniyi (Laide Soyinka), Similoluwa Hassan (Emeka Ojukwu), Segilola Ogidan (Morenike), Dili Ezugha (Agu Norris), Ropo Ewenla ( Olusegun Obasanjo), Henry Diabuah (Yakubu Gowon), Temilolu Fosudo (Bola Ige) and William Idakwo (Victor Banjo).
Amkpa, a skilled theatre artist, filmmaker and cultural scholar, additional mentioned of the movie that it “is just not a biographical movie about Soyinka's jail life, however an prolonged narrative of his jail experiences, and it comprises tales that one may discover in his later memoirs about his life tales.”
Amkpa, a former pupil and longtime collaborator of Soyinka, mentioned tales from Soyinka's later memoirs, “Ibadan Penkelemes Years” and “You Should Set Forth at Daybreak,” are additionally included within the movie. After its premiere in Lagos and screening in London, “The Man Died” will likely be proven in Nigeria, the UK, the US, Europe, the UAE and different nations.
Though Professor Soyinka would have most popular a quiet celebration, as is his wont, his colleagues and mentees took the choice out of his arms. Given his excellent efficiency over time and his untiring concentrate on justice, equity and fairness, even in his outdated age, Eniogun deserves all of the reward.
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