After four weeks of eye-catching events organized to celebrate Noble Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday, the 15th edition of the annual Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) finally came to a climax on July 31st, 2024.
Recall that activities to mark Soyinka’s birthday were held both at home and abroad in his honour.
WSICE was established to honour Professor Soyinka’s legacy and reflect his lifelong commitment to education, cultural exchange, and nurturing future leaders.
It is to this effect that this year’s theme was tagged: “Engaging National Interest on Good Governance, Understanding Nation-Building (E.N.I.O.G.U.N),” to perfectly capture Soyinka’s quest to create a just and equitable world.
The WSICE2024 programs include: essay competitions, advocacy, and expressions in performing arts such as poetry, drama, and spoken word.
To further highlight Soyinka’s importance in society, he was hosted by the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, the evening commenced with a vibrant drum beats, live painting, dance performances, a fashion session, and the opening of the ‘African I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y – Nine Seasons of Wole Soyinka Exhibition’.
The major highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to Vision of the Child and Solution17 Community champions Princess Marinay, Valentine Udemadu, Haoma Worgwu, and a child poet, Mofinfunoluwa Atilola, a top-ranked Nigerian female tennis player, by Mr. Oluwole Ajimisinmi, Executive Director of Lagos Business, Wema Bank Plc, who presented the awards.
In his words, he said, “Wema Bank is committed to youth development, which is why we are excited to support WSICE 2024 and the Wole Soyinka at 90 events. These initiatives align with our mission to empower the next generation of leaders and innovators,” stated Ajimisinmi
“Wema Bank Plc is one of the major sponsors of the 15th edition of WSICE 2024 and has provided invaluable support for all events held in Nigeria and London.”
In London, The Africa Centre hosted a resourceful 9-day program celebrating Soyinka’s immense contributions to literature, culture, and human/civil rights advocacy. The event attracted diverse audiences for the exhibitions, roundtables, film screenings, live music performances, and poetry recitals. Highlights included ‘WS: A Life in Full,’ a comprehensive display of Soyinka’s published works and photographs, and the NINE Seasons of KONGI exhibition, featuring paintings by youth members of the Vision of The Child mentored by Soyinka.
Additionally, the event showcased the Africa I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y, a touring exhibition based on public readings of Soyinka’s poems in nine European cities, and the ORI Series II (For WS), a collection of conceptual watercolour drawings by UK-based artist Abolore Shobayo. Another highlight was the London premiere of a new feature film inspired by Soyinka’s prison memoirs, THE MAN DIED.
Project Director Foluke Michael stated, “Professor Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday celebration spotlights our commitment to youth development in creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, and nation-building. We are dedicated to continuing the post-celebration project activities through the platforms of African I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y, The Vision of the Child, and Solution17 Green.
“Over the next nine months, the exhibition of African I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y – ‘Nine Seasons of Wole Soyinka’ will tour the world, both physically and virtually, to inspire future generations and cement Soyinka’s legacy in the annals of history.
The project aims to train youth in Creative and Entrepreneurship Development across Nigeria and Africa. Through Solution17 Green, African I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y will incorporate sustainability into the project as we navigate towards a zero-carbon Africa and world.” Foluke added
The celebration of Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday has honoured the legacy of a literary giant and paved the way for future generations to carry forward his ideals and contributions. The month-long events have truly captured the essence of life and work, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire and uplift.
About the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE): It is a global initiative dedicated to celebrating and preserving the legacy of Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka through cultural exchange, education, and youth development.