Soyinka at 90: WSICE Plans Lagos, London Celebrations for 2024 Edition
The 15th edition of the annual Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange, WSICE is set to hold in two tranches: July 13 to 16 (virtual and onsite) in Nigeria; and July 19 to July 27 in London.
Organised in collaboration with partners located in Nigeria and overseas, the edition is coinciding with the 90th birthday anniversary (July 13) of the Nobel laureate, Professor Oluwole Akinwande Soyinka, whose exceptional life story and as well illustrious career as a quintessential artist and global humanist, inspired the birth of the project in 2010.
The WS90/WSICE2024 theme “E.N.I.O.G.U.N -Engaging National Interest on Good Governance, Understanding and Nation-Building” is a summation of the over seven decades commitment and struggles of Soyinka as a nationalist, patriot, and humanist as evident in his creative works and consistent public engagement.
E.N.I.O.G.U.N embodies his life-long commitment to the cause of nation building through his relentless fight for the national interest that would ensure good governance for the wellbeing of the general citizenry.
While the theme domiciles appreciation of Soyinka’s commitment to his birth country, Nigeria, it is by extension an appreciation of his global service to humanity in general, which has seen him advocating for justice, freedom and respect for the rights and freedom of citizens all over the world. The theme will be the focus of all the programme items of the edition.
Reflecting on the theme E.N.I.O.G.U.N – E-Engaging N-National I-Interest O-n G-ood Governance U-nderstanding and N-ation-B-uilding for WSICE 2024, Dr. Teju Kareem, Executive Producer of the WSICE, stated:
“Prof. Soyinka has pursued the betterment of society through his support for freedom and the common good of all irrespective of age, class, gender, religious or political persuasions — making his work a global service to humanity. His career spanning academia, literature, and activism exemplifies a profound commitment to creating a just and equitable world, thus encapsulating the essence of E.N.I.O.G.U.N as both a personal and a universal pursuit.
