Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has revealed why he accepted the renaming of the National Theatre in Lagos after him despite previously criticising the renaming of public monuments after individuals.

The National Theatre, located in Iganmu, Lagos, has been renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at the reopening and re-dedication of the refurbished building, Soyinka reflected on his longstanding opposition to the appropriation of public monuments in Nigeria.

Soyinka, who has often spoken against naming public buildings and roads after individuals or past leaders, said: “I have been guilty of saying other people do not merit this kind of monumental dedication, and then I had to stand up in public and watch my name being put up as yet another appropriator. It just didn’t seem well with me.”

“I accepted this honour with mixed feelings. First of all, I’m notorious for having criticised any appropriations. Personal appropriations of public monuments by some of our past leaders, which would end up that everything is named after them.

“I’ll be modest, given the general estimate, to say that about 25 percent of monuments, whether they are buildings or roads in particular in this country, are well and truly deserved.”

Reflecting on the history of Nigerian theatre and pioneers such as Hubert Ogunde and opera composer Adam Fiberesima, Soyinka said he ultimately concluded that “somebody has to carry the can.”

Soyinka shared a nostalgic connection to the National Theatre, recalling its original construction during the military era and its significance during FESTAC ’77.

He lamented the building’s decline over the years, at one point describing it as “irredeemable” and “like a slum.”

He added that another reason he accepted the renaming is due to nostalgia.

“I have another reason, which is nostalgia. I remember this building was first erected during the military regime. We had FESTAC ‘77 in this very hall. It’s a different hall completely, it’s nothing like what that building became over the years,” he said.

“Degraded to such an extent that when Lagos was celebrating its 50 years anniversary and we looked for a hub, a centre of activities which would take place elsewhere, one of the places we visited was here, which is now transformed.

“I took one look at it and when the governor and his team wanted to come back to take a second look, I said you go without me. I said I would advise you, get somebody secretly, plant a bomb, and blow it up.

“It was irredeemable. I said ‘it’s not just a desert, it was a slum’.”

Soyinka praised the transformation of the building, noting, “If eating one’s word produces a morsel like this, then it’s a very tasty set of words.”

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The Federal Road Safety Corps, Oyo State Sector Command, has said it is committed to instilling a road safety culture in young Nigerians through education and civic engagement.

This was contained in a statement posted on the agency’s official X handle on Friday, announcing the activities organised to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

“In celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Oyo State Sector Command, in partnership with Hallelujah Divine Height Organisation, hosted an exciting Inter-School Quiz Competition for secondary school students on October 1, 2025,” the statement partly read.

According to the FRSC, the competition provided a platform for students across Oyo State to showcase their knowledge beyond the classroom.

“The event brought together brilliant young minds to showcase their knowledge on road safety, civic responsibility, and national awareness, fostering discipline and teamwork among the participants,” the agency added.

The Oyo State Sector Commander, Corps Commander RUK Alo, who addressed the participants, stated that the Corps was committed to raising a generation of safety-conscious Nigerians through consistent engagement with schools.

“Sector Commander, Corps Commander RUK Alo, highlighted the Corps’ commitment to nurturing road safety culture from an early age, while stakeholders from NSCDC, NDLEA, and the Rescuer Organisation also educated the students on safety and social responsibility,” the statement continued.

As part of the activities, recognition was given to outstanding students and schools that excelled in the competition.

“Certificates and prizes were presented to the outstanding schools and participants, with all contestants encouraged to be safety ambassadors in their schools, homes, and communities,” the Corps stated.

PUNCH Online reports that the FRSC has, in recent years, expanded its Catch Them Young initiative, which targets secondary school students with safety education, following reports that young people remain one of the most vulnerable groups in road traffic crashes.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, over 40 per cent of accident victims recorded nationwide between 2020 and 2024 were youths aged 10–29.

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The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has called for urgent political and economic reforms to address deep-rooted challenges and set the path to sustainable development of the country.

Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers) stated this in a statement in Abuja to mark Nigeria at 65th independence anniversary.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday,  Chinda said that the anniversary should not only be a time of celebration, but a moment for sober reflection.

Chinda said that the distribution of resources must prioritise every Nigerian, regardless of zone, religion, or ethnicity.

“We must face the uncomfortable truth that our political and economic structures need deliberate and timely reforms.

“We must be fair, frank and firm. It is only when we are true and factual about our state of nationhood that the country can wriggle out of stymied development towards achieving her full potential as a prosperous country.

“Indeed, as a nation, we face issues of governance and a lack of inclusive economic growth that have left vast segments of our population trapped in poverty.

“The recurring problems of insecurity, hunger, youth unemployment and infrastructure deficits are persistent obstacles to our nation’s development.

“The ideals of equity, fairness and justice, which should bind us together, are sadly being strained, resulting in divisions that threaten national cohesion and development,” he said.

The minority leader paid tributes to the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers and heroes past who gave everything for the independence being enjoyed today.

The lawmaker urged leaders at all levels to demonstrate genuine commitment to the welfare of the citizens and to uphold accountability, saying that nation-building is a continuous collective task.

He also called on Nigerians to recommit themselves to peace, unity and development, while embracing the nation’s diversity as a strength rather than a weakness.

“As no single group, no matter how powerful, can achieve meaningful progress in isolation, it is imperative for us to unite as one nation.

“It is only through a shared sense of purpose, understanding and cooperation that we can overcome our difficulties and emerge stronger.

“On this day, we call on all citizens to renew our hope and commitment to a greater Nigeria. May we rise from the ashes of our challenges and build a nation that fulfils the dreams of our founding fathers and the expectations of future generations,” he said.

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