Ibadan to Host Month-Long Exhibition Celebrating Wole Soyinka's Legacy
The Initiative for Information, Arts and Culture Development (IACD) has announced a month-long exhibition to celebrate the impactful life of playwright and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka. The exhibition, aimed at students in public and private schools within Ibadan and its environs, will run from July 2 to July 31.
Dr. Kolade Mosuro, President of IACD, revealed during a press briefing in Ibadan that over 80 schools will participate in this unique celebration of Soyinka, who turns 90 on July 13. He was joined by Dr. Tunde Awosanmi and Mr. Patrick Agwu.
Highlighting the special grace of reaching 90, Mosuro stated that the exhibition would feature a variety of programs, including performances, stage plays, and readings. "The students will learn more about Soyinka's life as a patriot, advocate of fair play, dramatist, artist, guitarist, music lover, and Nobel laureate," he said.
Key highlights of the exhibition include:
July 19: Government College Ibadan will perform "The Lion and The Jewel," directed by Jumoke Sobo, and "Childe Internationale," directed by Dele Morakinyo, at Bishop Philip Academy, Aperin, Ibadan.
July 26: "Isara," a stage adaptation of Wole Soyinka by Femi Osofisan, will be performed at 5:00 p.m. at Wole Soyinka Theatre, University of Ibadan.
Mosuro described the exhibition as a first-of-its-kind in the country, tracing Soyinka's life from birth to the present. "It will be a display of visuals and memorabilia with sound woven in a thematic manner to tell his rich and remarkable story," he explained.
The exhibition will be held at the IACD premises on Magazine Road, Jericho, Ibadan. Mosuro emphasized the uniqueness of their celebration compared to other global activities, noting that Soyinka's life is a testament to rigorous study, reflection, and growth.
"His life is a story of rigorous study, reflection, and growth; a man of rare conscience in any part of the world," Mosuro concluded.
