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| Governor Abiodun |
The Ogun State government has awarded scholarships to nine students who excelled in an essay competition held to celebrate the 90th birthday of Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
Speaking at the 2024 edition of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme, held at Prof. Soyinka’s ARI residence in Ijegba, Abeokuta, on Monday, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced that each student would also receive a laptop for their efforts.
Governor Abiodun emphasized that this gesture aims to encourage the recipients to continue writing and to motivate other students to participate in future editions of the competition.
Describing Prof. Soyinka as the most celebrated black African who has excelled in his career, Abiodun stressed the importance of engaging the youth to foster progress and prosperity in Nigeria and globally.
He noted that the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) was established to honor Soyinka’s legacy and reflects his lifelong commitment to education, cultural exchange, and nurturing future leaders. The initiative underscores values such as justice, freedom, and the pursuit of excellence in the arts and humanities.
According to Governor Abiodun, this year’s theme, “Engaging National Interest on Good Governance, Understanding Nation-Building (E.N.I.O.G.U.N),” encapsulates Prof. Soyinka’s dedication to creating a just and equitable world.
The WSICE comprises three components: an essay competition, advocacy, and performing arts, including poetry, drama, and spoken word.
“We celebrate a project that, for over 14 years, has upheld his ideals and vision. There is no doubt that the Nobel Laureate has optimally utilized the inherent values and wisdom of African culture and tradition in his global engagement as a world citizen of African descent,” Abiodun said.
He added that the mission and objectives of WSICE are clear and commendable, aiming to create unity among humanity regardless of nationality, culture, or religion by focusing on youth as the future of humanity, in line with Prof. Soyinka’s guiding principles.
The project, Abiodun said, is designed to serve as a beacon, illuminating the path for future thinkers passionate about the progress and betterment of humanity. He pledged that the state would take ownership of the event to make it international.
Answering questions from children about his life experiences over the past 90 years, Prof. Soyinka said he never expected to live to 90 and decided to become a writer to correct anomalies in the stories he heard growing up.
Regarding his actions during the military era, Soyinka clarified, “I never broke into a radio station, but sneaked in. The radio station was holding on to something that belonged to the people, and I decided to retrieve it. If that item had been played, it would have demoralized the people and established the culture of brutality.”
He criticized Nigerians for frequently blaming the State without self-reflection, noting that crimes like kidnapping and robbery stem from selfishness and the desire for a luxurious lifestyle, rather than poverty or inequality.
Soyinka praised Governor Abiodun for developing the environment around his residence and preventing its degradation, which has contributed to his decision not to leave the country.
The 2024 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme attracted students from across the country who participated in an essay competition on national and international topics.
Out of 383 participants, 90 were shortlisted, and nine were selected as winners. Alabi Oluwanifemi emerged as the best essayist, followed by Okoye Collins John in second place, and Adebusi Adeoluwa in third.
