Soyinka at 90: Abiodun Awards Scholarships to Top Student Essayists

In celebration of the 90th birthday of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, the Ogun State Government has awarded scholarships to nine outstanding students who excelled in an essay competition. The awards were presented during 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, who addressed the gathering, also announced that each of the scholarship recipients would receive a laptop as part of the recognition for their achievements. He highlighted that this gesture aims to encourage the winners to continue writing and to inspire other students to participate in future editions of the competition.

Describing Prof. Soyinka as the most celebrated Black African and a towering figure in his field, Governor Abiodun stressed the importance of engaging the youth to foster progress for Nigeria and the world. He noted that it is crucial to align young minds and aspirations with the goals of national development and humanitarian advancement.

Governor Abiodun explained that the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) was established to honor Prof. Soyinka's enduring legacy and his dedication to education, cultural exchange, and nurturing future leaders. He emphasized that the initiative reflects Prof. Soyinka’s values of justice, freedom, and excellence in the arts and humanities.

This year’s theme for the WSICE, "Engaging National Interest on Good Governance, Understanding Nation-Building (E.N.I.O.G.U.N)," encapsulates Prof. Soyinka’s deep commitment to creating a fair and equitable world.

The WSICE encompasses three main components: an essay competition, advocacy efforts, and the performing arts, which include poetry, drama, and Spoken Word. Governor Abiodun praised the program for upholding Prof. Soyinka’s ideals and vision for over 14 years, affirming that the Nobel Laureate has effectively utilized the values of African culture and tradition in his global endeavors as a world citizen of African descent.