*Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu avers the country is grateful for Prof. Wole Soyinka鈥檚 鈥榣ong years of service to Nigeria and humanity鈥�, stating 鈥業 value my association with Professor Soyinka and several collaborations to advance the progress and development of Nigeria鈥�

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his good wishes to Prof. Wole Soyinka, the globally renowned literary icon and Nobel Laureate, as he celebrates his birthday Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Prof. Soyinka, a well-decorated literary giant, activist, cultural icon, and public intellectual who turns 91, is known for his extraordinary creative and artistic talent, evident in his plays, poems, memoirs, essays, and other artistic productions.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy in a statement Sunday, July 13, 2025, noted President Tinubu stated in his tribute the contributions of the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986 to education, pro-democracy and human rights movements, cultural diplomacy, and nation-building over the last several decades.

The Nigerian leader described Prof. Soyinka as a 鈥渕assive source of inspiration to Nigerians and, most especially, generations of younger writers worldwide who, on their own, have also attained great national and international prominence.鈥�

President Tinubu also acknowledged his decades of association, friendship, and collaboration with the accomplished statesman.

Tinubu further stated: “I rejoice with Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on reaching another year and praise his continuing service and contributions to our nation’s development.

鈥淧rof. Soyinka is an uncommon patriot who has continued to demonstrate his undying love for our country.鈥�

President Tinubu said: 鈥淓ven at the grand old age, he continues to be a source of inspiration to fellow citizens and people around the world. We are grateful for his long years of service to Nigeria and humanity.

“I value my association with Professor Soyinka and several collaborations to advance the progress and development of Nigeria.

“On this special day that marks the beginning of the journey into the last decade of his centennial, I wish Professor Wole Soyinka good health and more years in sound mind.”

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