WSICE2024 for WS90

Slated to run throughout July 2024, the WSICE 2024 programming content is designed to celebrate the values and virtues that have defined the illustrious personality and career of Oluwole Akinwande Soyinka, the quintessential multi-talented artist-poet, dramatist, novelist, memoirist, essayist, musician, civil and human right activist, who clocks 90 on July 13. 

In particular, the theme E.N.I.O.G.U.N is, to sum up his lifelong commitment to the cause of nation-building through his relentless fight for the national interest that would ensure good governance for the common good 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 respect for the rights and freedom of citizens worldwide.

WS 90

The celebration will embrace several programming ideas that have been the features of the WSICE since its birth in 2010. This includes Essay Writing, Advocacy, The Vision of the Child Programme in Nigeria and Italy, Do Your Own Thing, & Performances

ESSAY WRITING

In its 15th year, the annual WSICE essay competition has garnered over 10,000 essays written by students, mostly the Senior Secondary Students (SSS) cadre in the 12-17 age range. 

It has also conferred over 90 prizes on winners in at least 23 states of Nigeria and 30 winners from five linguistic zones worldwide. 

The 2024 edition, marking the 90th birthday anniversary of the Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka—whose name and iconic global status inspired it—is expected to receive a greater volume of essays than in previous years. 

As in previous editions, the laureate is expected to formally receive the ninety (90) winners, engage with them directly, and live in his Autonomous Republic of Ijegba, A.R.I Residence in the Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, in July. 

D-Y-O-T

After the reception, over 1,000 youths will converge at the Ijegba Forestage, the WSICE theatre site in Soyinka’s backyard, to engage in a hybrid Do-Your-Own-Thing open-air creative expression. The event will be live televised and streamed via various social media platforms.  

CULTURAL EVENING

This will be followed by an evening of Sight and sound designed for creative performances, including music, drama, dance, poetry and spoken words, a fashion parade, craft displays, and a film screening. 

ADVOCACY

Since its inception, the annual WSICE event has hosted an advocacy session as a conference, seminar, symposium, or debate. This session always features eminent scholars and resource persons from across disciplines, ages, genders, and creeds. 

The 2024 edition, a milestone event, will be held in collaboration with the Nigeria Academy of Letters, NAL, and has been slated for July 11 at the prestigious Main Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka. It is guaranteed to be attended by top-notch resource persons from academia—professors and researchers as well as professionals in various disciplines of the arts.

RECEPTION

The session will be followed by a dinner reception for guests. A key member of the diplomatic community will play host to distinguished guests in a rare show of solidarity to honour the first African Nobel laureate in recognition of his decades of advocacy for the good of our collective humanity. 

LAGOS-LONDON CELEBRATION

Crafted on the theme, NINE Season of KONGI, and to be hosted by the famous The Africa Centre, this is an international event rooted in the concept of charity-begins-at-home; the event will feature a multi-podal programme content, including WS: A LIFE IN FULL, an exhibition of portraits of the laureate from childhood through adulthood, a collection of drawings and paintings inspired by the celebrant through the Vision of the Child project, which he superintended in his days as Festival Consultant to the Lagos Black Heritage Festival, LBHF, and display of a rare collection of the manuscripts of the famous Onitsha literature -- a passion project by the laureate. 

The highlight will be the London premiere of THE MAN DIED, the feature film inspired by his classic prison memoir of the same title. Featuring top bills in the Nigerian film industry, including Wale Ojo, Sam Dede, Nobert Young, Francis Onwochei, Christiana Osunniyi, and Hollywood actor Abraham Amkpa, and others, the film is directed by Awam Amkpa, Soyinka’s former student and professor of theatre, media and cultural Aesthetics at the New York University, Abu-Dabi, where he is currently Dean of Humanities and Deputy Provost. The event is in collaboration with reputable institutions in the UK, such as the London School of Economics and Bournemouth University.

THE VISION OF THE CHILD- LAGOS-ITALY

The Vision of the Child initiative was conceived during the 2009 Caterina de’ Medici International Painting Award under the guidance of Professor Wole Soyinka, serving as the Head of the Jury in Italy. 

On June 13, 2024, as part of the 60-day Countdown to Wole Soyinka at 90, VoTC alumni Princess Marinay, Valentine Udemadu, Michael Titiloye, and Mofifunoluwa Atilola (child poet),  alongside Caterina De’ Medici Florence's Past Winner, Olubunmi Oluwadare, will convene for a live Painting and Poetry session to “Reimagining Michelangelo: the VoTC celebrates Wole Soyinka At 90 in Florence, Italy”at the historic Piazza del Duomo in Florence, where the project was first established in 2002, in honour of the esteemed Global Icon.

Titled "Legacy Unveiled: VoTC Returns to Florence to Honour Wole Soyinka at 90," the Road Show event will traverse Florence, Sienna, Greve in Chianti, and Panzano. After the Italian showcase, the paintings will be exhibited in London for the final celebration.

LAGOS- July 12

VoTC will host a dynamic event focusing on the creative exploration of the Vision of the Child 2013 and 2014, centring on themes such as The Rule of Law and Law Impunity (Part 2) and One Thousand and One Faces of Corruption (Part 2).

This one-day gathering will unite 90 VoTC finalists, selected VoTC Alumni, youth from the creative industry, and esteemed guests in an immersive experience alongside Prof. Wole Soyinka. Through literary arts, digital expressions, artistic presentations, and dialogue sessions, we aim to foster discussions towards forging a new Nigeria. The poetry and artwork produced will be exhibited locally and internationally throughout July.