- Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka marks his 90th birthday on July 13
- The monarch of the town Soyinka hails from recommends that the government declare July 13 Wole Soyinka Day and confer him the honour of GCON
- Nigerians online were quick to kick against the idea
The Alake of Egba land, Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, has urged the Federal Government to declare July 13 Wole Soyinka Day to celebrate his contributions to humanity.
Having already declared the day in Egba land, the monarch also recommended that the Nobel Laureate be conferred the second highest national honour, Grand Commander of Order of Niger, as he clocks 90 on July 13.
Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Prize-winning playwright and titan of African literature, is a figure of both reverence and controversy in Nigeria.
Although many of the older generation hail and respect Soyinka for his intelligence and renown, the younger generation may not share the same sentiment as he may have gotten on the bad side of many youths, especially during the last general elections and his apparent support for the current administration.
The suggestion of the Alake of Egbaland has generated mixed reactions amongst Nigerians. While some people think it is a wonderful idea to dedicate a day in honour of the literary icon, many others do not support the idea.
Nigerians react to Oba Gbadebo’s Wole Soyinka's suggestion
After the news broke out on social media, Nigerians, in their usual fashion, aired their opinion on the matter.
Some Nigerians questioned his contributions to the country and why he should be conferred such honour, while others sarcastically suggested that the name of the country be changed to Wole Soyinka. Here are some of the comments.
@osarobo_charles posted: “Why not change the name Federal Republic of Nigeria to Republic of Wole soyinka?”
@Mickyiv4 posted: “Titles, meaningless titles will be the end of the average Nigerian elder. In a time when the country is besieged with poverty, hunger, suffering, inflation & insecurity, this is the worry of some elders of the land.”
@nwaamasiorah posted: “What has he done for Nigeria? You didn't even think of Obafemi Awolowo but wole Soyinka. I suggest that you change your surname to wole Soyinka and the said date you and your family will celebrate him, if you really love him.”
@uyoompe posted: “While you at it, why not change Nigerian name to wole soyinka. Embassy be like : where are you going sir? Me : am travelling to wole soyinka sir. What do you think?”
@plagos posted: “To celebrate the founder of cultism in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. I hope you can see the direction of every level of leadership in Nigeria.”
@engr_pauplin posted: “Not necessary Jare... Which One is Soyinka Day & GCON award ba yi. PBAT no listen to them o, Let them build a befitting Library and named it After Respected Professor Soyinka.”
@BugiEmperior posted: “No wonder fumilayo Kuti deposed that Alake in her time temporarily.. it seems all these Alake nor dey get sense. With what Nigeria is going through at the moment, national day to honor a cultist? All of una dey really mad for this country.”
@BHAdamu posted: “Too ethnocentric statement. How does it brings to end the economic crisis in the country?”
@IsmailaShaibu16 posted: “Yes, it's necessary to bring down this high rate of inflation in the country.”
@Obiora_14 posted: “If he's remembered for his achievements as a Nobel laureate and if activities to encourage literacy & literary appreciation are the centerpiece of the day, why not?? Wole Soyinka is much more than his political hypocrisy or obsession for obidients. He's a brilliant man.”
@CroBender posted: “I see the sense in that. There is no reason why it should not be a regional holiday too celebrated in style.”
@imarahoo posted: “What relevance does Wole Soyinka have to Nigeria, Nigerians or the world? He started a secret cult; that is nothing to be proud about as our youths have fallen to the destructive effect of gang activities. Wole Soyinka is as empty today than I ever thought he could become since he could no longer see and understand truth from lies.”
@chiderahopara1 posted: “Why not "Pirates Day", Wole Soyinka Day Ko. Wole Soyinka Night, Ni. Elders won't give advice on how the Hunger and Suffering around them could Breathe but dish out Mundane, Sycophant, Pretentious and Tribalistic/Bigotry advice that would make sane subjects Screen their faces.”
@okeychines posted: “Oh! Someone should remind me that thing that Sole Woyinka did for this country that I'm not aware of. Unless it's for only his village. The real Nigerian heroes don't even show up in the news.”
@balance_spy posted: “13th July woke Soyinka day, 21 August Otokoto day, 1st November Solo Makinde day, 4 April general public holidays.. it seems like all of una wan run mad for this country.”
@DavidKure3 posted: “Them done see the Nigerian masses finish.They don't even care about our plights as citizens because we have decided to divided ourselves as ethnic, religious and regional bigots.
With the high rate of hunger they changed our national anthem,now want to create Wole Soyinka day.”
@DavidNw55767839 posted: “Make we kukuma make it a cultist day since that's the only thing he invented in Nigeria as a professor,ndi ara.”
@clickaustineyi posted: “I would have inquired, "On what political, economic, or social basis?" But, since we now have Abiolacracy Day, Alake is correct. Since the insensitive yorubigot has decided to be mad, let's have Nnamdi Kanu, Sunday Igboho, & Asari Dokubo days after Soyinka's day.”
@GenerationFoot2 posted: “And what would be happening on the day? Attacking good people and promoting rascality?”