The Ogun State Government has awarded scholarships to nine students who performed creditably well in an essay competition to mark the 90th birthday celebration of the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
The 2024 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme drew 383 students; 90 were chosen, and nine emerged winners.
Alabi Oluwanifemi emerged as the best essayist; Okoye Collins John came in second, while Adebusi Adeoluwa came in third.
Speaking at the programme held at Prof. Soyinka’s ARI residence in Ijegba, Abeokuta, on Monday, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the winners would also be given laptops for their efforts.
He explained that the gesture is to encourage the beneficiaries to keep writing and motivate other students to participate in the next edition of the competition.
While describing the Nobel Laureate as the most celebrated black African who has excelled in his chosen career, Abiodun noted that, as the key to bringing about change and prosperity in Nigeria and around the world, it is imperative to engage the youth and ensure that their thinking and goals are oriented towards progress for the motherland and humanity.
He said the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange, WSICE, was established to honour the legacy of and reflect Prof. Soyinka’s lifelong commitment to education, cultural exchange, and nurturing future leaders. He added that the initiative underscores Soyinka’s values, which include 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.),” perfectly encapsulates Professor Soyinka’s profound commitment to creating a just and equitable world.
The governor said: “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 utilised the inherent values and wisdom of African culture and tradition in his global engagement as a world citizen of African descent.
“The mission and underlying objectives of WSICE are clear and commendable. They seek to create unity among mankind regardless of nationality, culture, or religion by focusing on youth as the future of humanity, in line with the thoughts and guiding principles of Professor Wole Soyinka.”
Speaking while answering questions from children on his life experiences for the past 90 years, Prof. Soyinka said that he did not envisage living up to 90, adding that he decided to be a writer to correct some anomalies from stories he listened to while growing up.
He noted that crimes like kidnapping and robbery, among others, are not because of poverty or inequality, but selfishness and the desire to live a luxurious life.
He lauded Governor Abiodun for helping to develop the environment around his abode and saving it from degradation, even as he emphasised that this has led to his not abandoning the country.
Soyinka at 90: Gov Abiodun awards scholarships to nine students