Wole Soyinka at 90: Outstanding young achievers honoured

The 15th annual Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) has honoured ‘Vision of the Child’ and ‘Solution17 Community’ champions as part of activities to celebrate the literary icon at 90.

The awardees include Princess Marinay, Valentine Udemadu, Haoma Worgwu, and child- poet Mofinfunoluwa Atilola. The award was presented by Executive Director of Lagos Business, Wema Bank Plc, Oluwole Ajimisinmi.

The award ceremony formed part of events hosted by the British High Commission in Lagos to celebrate Soyinka’s 90^th birthday. The ceremony featured drum beats, live paintings, dance performances, a fashion session, and the opening of the ‘African I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y – Nine Seasons of Wole Soyinka Exhibition’.

Ajimisinmi said: “Wema Bank is committed to youth development, which is why we are excited to support WSICE 2024 and the Wole Soyinka at 90 events. These initiatives align with our mission to empower the next generation of leaders and innovators.

“Wema Bank Plc is one of the major sponsors of the 15th WSICE 2024, and has provided invaluable support for all events held in Nigeria and London.”

​The Africa Centre in London hosted a resourceful nine-day program celebrating Soyinka’s immense contributions to literature, culture, and human/civil rights advocacy. The event attracted diverse audiences for the exhibitions, roundtables, film screenings, live music performances, and poetry recitals. Highlights included ‘WS: A Life in Full,’ a comprehensive display of Soyinka’s published works and photographs, and the NINE Seasons of KONGI exhibition, featuring paintings by youth members of the ‘Vision of The Child’ mentored by Soyinka.

The event also showcased the Africa I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y, a touring exhibition based on public readings of Soyinka’s poems in nine European cities, and the ORI Series II (For WS), a collection of conceptual watercolour drawings by UK-based artist Abolore Shobayo. Another highlight was the London premiere of a new feature film inspired by Soyinka’s prison memoirs, ‘The Man Died’.

​Project Director Foluke Michael said: “Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday celebration spotlights our commitment to youth development in creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, and nation-building. We are dedicated to continuing the post-celebration project activities through the platforms of African I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y, The Vision of the Child, and Solution17 Green.

​”Over the next nine months, the exhibition of African I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y – ‘Nine Seasons of Wole Soyinka’ will tour the world, both physically and virtually, to inspire future generations and cement Soyinka’s legacy in the annals of history.

“The project aims to train youths in Creative and Entrepreneurship Development across Nigeria and Africa. Through Solution17 Green, African I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y will incorporate sustainability into the project as we navigate towards a zero-carbon Africa and world.”