Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has described Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka as a “rare gem” and a “blessing” to the world.
Celebrating the playwright, poet and activist at 86, Mr Amaechi wished him more years in good health in a tweet on Monday.
“Our very own literary icon, intellectual social critic, inspiring activist, globally renowned, Africa’s finest, respected Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka is 86 today!
“My dear Prof, you are a rare gem, a blessing to our world. Continue to live well & healthy. Happy birthday!” the minister wrote.
In commemoration of Soyinka’s 86th birthday, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) on Monday held a lecture on national development and the role of data and media.
This year’s lecture is the 12th held in honour of Soyinka and first to be held virtually with the theme “Data, Media, and National Development”.
The 12th lecture series was funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
At the lecture, national issues ranging from corruption, taxation, to education and electricity, among others were discussed.
Also, the 11th Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange began on Sunday with Soyinka reciting poetry to participants online.
Many eminent Nigerians including the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi featured on the programme conducted via Zoom.
The WSICE 2020 will run through July 14.
