The paramount ruler of Egbaland in Ogun State, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has urged the Federal Government to designate July 13 as Wole Soyinka Day in honor of the Nobel Laureate’s contributions to literature and humanity. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Soyinka’s 90th birthday, Oba Gbadebo emphasized that July 13, Soyinka’s birthday, is already celebrated in Egbaland.
The monarch proposed that Nigeria should follow suit and adopt July 13 nationally to celebrate Soyinka’s legacy. He further recommended that the Federal Government confer upon Soyinka the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) in recognition of his significant contributions to literature globally.
Additionally, events are planned around Soyinka’s 90th birthday celebration, including art exhibitions by pupils from St. Peters Primary School and Abeokuta Grammar School, where Soyinka studied. Other activities include book exhibitions, documentaries, poetry recitations, and a hunting expedition by hunters in Egbaland.