In a statement on Thursday, Tinubu described him as a veritable source of support, inspiration, and encouragement.

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nobel Laureate and elder statesman Prof. Wole Soyinka on his 89th birthday.

In a message on Thursday, Tinubu said Soyinka is a veritable source of support, inspiration, and encouragement.

The President, who called Professor Soyinka a brother and comrade in the struggle to restore and entrench democracy and good governance in Nigeria, commended him for his immense contributions to the country’s development.

“Today, I celebrate Nobel Laureate, elder statesman, and pro-democracy activist, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on his attainment of 89.

“Renowned playwright, poet, novelist, Professor Wole Soyinka has done much for Nigeria. In the literary world, he remains a giant, an Iroko. Importantly, his contributions to the struggle for restoring and institutionalising democracy and good governance in Nigeria are indelible.

“Together, along with other activists, we fought for democracy under the aegis of NADECO at great risk to our personal lives.

“Professor Soyinka remains a beacon and a source of inspiration and support to many of us.

“As he attains 89 today, we pray that God Almighty grant him more years and strength so he can be around to witness the new Nigeria we are building in line with our Agenda for a Renewed Hope for the country, where security, prosperity, and economic development will reign supreme,” Tinubu stated.

Soyinka was born on July 13, 1939, in Abeokuta.

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