Nobel Leaureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, is the winner of the maiden edition of the Obafemi
Awolowo Prize for Leadership which will be held on 6 March, 2013 as announced by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation.
Professor Wole Soyinka: Wins Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership
A statement signed to that effect by the Executive Director of the Foundation, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, said the foundation selected Prof. Soyinka for the award through a rigorous process by a panel of eminent Nigerians in December 2012.
“The actual presentation which consists of a plaque, medal and certificate of award, will be made at a ceremony expected to draw a wide array of distinguished Nigerians,” the foundation said. The statement further said Professor Soyinka, winner of the 2012 Leadership prize, will deliver a lecture on the occasion.
“A dance performance, musical celebration, goodwill messages, as well as a documentary on Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the foundation itself, set up in 1992 to preserve his intellectual legacy are decided features of the event,” the statement added, stressing that the documentary seeks to bring back memories of the political milestones achieved by the late sage.
The statement said former Head of State and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, General Yakubu Gowon, will chair the occasion while former heads of state as well as prominent Nigerians are expected at the event.
“The foundation is gratified that Professor Wole Soyinka, whose nomination was unanimously made by the selection committee, headed by the globally acclaimed technocrat and diplomat, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, graciously accepted the nomination, describing it as the ‘creme de la creme of all the recognitions I have ever received’,” the statement stressed further.
