British High Commission and Alex Otti Honor Wole Soyinka at 90

British High Commission and Alex Otti Honor Wole Soyinka at 90

The British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, in partnership with the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE), celebrated the 90th birthday of the literary icon Wole Soyinka.

Titled “A Creative Evening with Wole Soyinka,” the event took place at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s Residence in Lagos. It brought together public officials, corporate executives, diplomats, youth leaders, and others who engaged with the Nobel Laureate as he shared his insights on good governance and nation-building.

The celebration showcased youth creativity in poetry, fine art, music, fashion, and cultural displays. A highlight was the fireside chat on “Youth Engagement towards Nation-building and Good Governance.”

Additionally, the event featured the opening of the “NINE Seasons of Wole Soyinka” exhibition, which spans Soyinka’s illustrious legacy from 1934 to the present. The exhibition highlights his contributions to art, culture, humanity, youth development, and the struggle for freedom and justice. Each of the nine paintings in the exhibition symbolizes a different aspect of Soyinka’s life and work, reflecting his brilliance and establishing him as a global icon.

British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter emphasized the potential of Nigerian art to drive economic growth if given adequate attention by the government. He expressed the British Commission’s commitment to supporting the Creative Industry, stating, “I am pleased to host this creative evening with Wole Soyinka, to celebrate the immense legacy of a great literary icon whose contributions have profoundly impacted youth engagement in the Nigerian creative sector.

“Nigeria’s creative economy holds immense potential for driving economic growth, fostering cultural diversity, and empowering communities across the country. The UK Government is committed to a strategic partnership of lasting mutual benefit with Nigeria, which is why we recently delivered two creative trade missions focused on film, TV, fashion retail, and beauty to help drive this sector and expand the UK-Nigeria trade relationship, which has blossomed in recent years.”

Project Director of “Wole Soyinka at 90,” Foluke Michael, recounted the journey to Prof. Wole Soyinka’s grand celebration, which began in May 2024 with the African I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y project. This included “90 Poems, 90 Locations in 9 Countries,” a poetry roadshow across nine countries, and “The Nine Seasons of Wole Soyinka,” starting with a live painting in Italy.

She added, “The celebration of Soyinka’s legacy continues even beyond July 31. Over the next nine months, the ‘Nine Seasons of Wole Soyinka’ exhibition will tour the world, both physically and virtually. It aims to bring the global humanist’s impact to a global audience, inspiring future generations and cementing his legacy in the annals of history.”