The National Association of Seadogs, aka Pyrates Confraternity, has concluded arrangements to celebrate the 77th birthday of Prof Wole Soyinka with lecture series holding next month, July 19, 2011, at the Shehu Yar’Adua Conference Centre, Abuja
The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, LOC, Mr. Obiekwe Issac, said in a statement yesterday in Abuja that the event was the 14th lecture in the series, which would also mark the 25th anniversary of Prof Wole Soyinka as the first African to win a Nobel Prize in literature.
He said the LOC was also planning to give it an international outlook befitting the celebrant.
The National Association of Seadogs, also known Pyrates Confraternity, was founded by Wole Soyinka and six others, popularly referred to as the original seven.
“It would be recalled that the 13th lecture was held at the Shell Hall Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos with the governor of Lagos State as the special guest of honour, while Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former EFCC chairman served as the guest speaker.
“The theme for this year’s lecture, which is coming on the heels of his 77th birthday anniversary, is Wole Soyinka @77, 25 Years of Africa’s First Nobel Prize in Literature Celebrating and Sustaining Excellence in Nigeria” he said.
Isaac said: “It is a well known fact that Nigeria is blessed with abundance of talents in diverse fields including the sciences, arts, entrepreneurships and sports.
“When consideration is taken on the geographical location of the country with its stupendous reserves of yet to be determined natural resources, one can do nothing but thank the Almighty for placing us in this territory – with persons like the iconic figure whom we will be celebrating during this event.
“The challenge we envision at this point in our historic journey as a nation is how to sustain such excellence in Nigeria. Incidentally, we are in no position to make a choice whether to accept this fact or not.
“The reality is that we just have to make progress in a positive way in all fields of endeavour in our national life if we are to face the challenges of globalization.
“The only way to achieve this therefore is to ensure that things are done the right way. Put differently, we have to recognize, promote, reward and above all –sustain the culture of excellence in our national life.
“The global movements and yearnings by peoples for emancipation from various despots, buccaneers in corridors of power and questionable characters masquerading as leaders is a good pointer to this scenario where the alternative of not striving for excellence in national life is the norm.
“It is in cognizance of the above that the main theme for this year’s lecture has been chosen. Other sub themes revolving around finding solutions to often time self-inflicted problems bedeviling this potentially great country shall be presented during the lecture by selected speakers.
“Consequently, our guest list is expected to cut across the following segment of society, Government officials, civil society, Diplomats, private sector, the academia, distinguished sports men, women and artists, international organizations/multilateral agencies, labour groups, students’ bodies, and the Press.
“The lecture is planned to include plenary and technical sessions where the visiting dignitaries and guest speakers shall make their presentations. Stage performances of selected plays of the celebrant shall equally be enacted and this will be climaxed with the presentation of ‘Kongi’s Harvest’.
“Additional special feature for the occasion would be the launching of a book on the life and times of Prof. Soyinka. The Local Organizing Committee is already working on the modalities for this.”
SOURCE; VANGUARD
