Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, has described the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, as a rare breed of whom any race would be proud of. Soyinka was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

 

Afenifere leader stated this in his congratulatory message to commemorate the 92nd birthday of the first African to win the Nobel Award for Literature in 1986, Professor Oluwole Akinwande Babatunde Soyinka, known simply as Wole Soyinka.

In the congratulatory message, Afenifere national publicity secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi quoted Pa Fasoranti as dubbing Soyinka as ‘a pride to the Yoruba race, a pride of Nigeria, a pride of Africa, indeed, an individual whose positive impact defies ethnic or racial boundaries.

 

“Professor Wole Soyinka is one of the brightly shining stars any race could have. We are grateful to the Almighty God that such a rare breed comes from among us and has been able to make positive impacts on the firmament of human existence. It is a thing of joy that the hero today, July 13, 2026, is marking his 92nd year on the surface of the earth.”.

The statement went further to state that Pa Fasoranti observed that the need to celebrate the man who is also known as Kongi (after one of the characters he created in a play of his) at 92 becomes more pertinent in view of the active life he has lived – and is still living!

Starting his working life as a teacher, writer and human rights activist, Soyinka soon built a reputation as a playwright, essayist, novelist, poet, singer, actor, composer, director and public affairs analyst. Besides being a formidable writer, Soyinka’s other main preoccupation is his unwavering commitment to the institutionalization of good governance and pursuit of justice.

“In view of the quantum of activities he packed into his robust life, we thank the Almighty God for giving him the grace to attain the milestone of attaining over 90 years on earth and with such vigor – mentally and physically. We pray that he will live up to 100 years and more in good health, increasing joy with Nigeria becoming a country of which everyone would be proud in his lifetime.”

The Asiwaju Yoruba, Fasoranti, who also marked his centenary birthday on May 11, this year, prayed that Professor Wole Soyinka will stay around for many more decades “as he continues to be a shining star”.