IBADAN (SUNDIATA POST)- The International School Ibadan (ISI), University of Ibadan, on Saturday, emerged as the winner of Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 90th Birthday Reading Competition held in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the reading competition was organised for secondary schools by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).
NCC organised it in collaboration with the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan, and the Association of Nigerian Authors to commemorate Soyinka’s 90th birthday.
NAN reports that the renowned literary author was born on July 13, 1934.
At the event, NCC Director-General (DG), Dr John Asein, said Soyinka has demonstrated an uncommon and unwavering commitment to building a society where fairness, justice and citizens’ well-being were guaranteed.
According to the DG, Soyinka remains a symbol of strength and courage in a world in dire need of a voice and represents the can-do spirit of the black race.
“As a playwright, essayist, music composer and film producer, Soyinka has a special place in our hearts and remains a major stakeholder in the copyright sector.
“Amongst many other things, he is also a frontline human rights defender, an environmentalist, a promoter of education, a lover of humanity and a positive change agent who has left his mark at every phase in Nigeria’s history as an independent state.
“As we celebrate the remarkable achievements of this great Nigerian, we recall his message at this year’s World Book and Copyright Day, reminding us about the negative effect of copyright piracy.
“Soyinka’s message also emphasised the need for governments to appreciate copyright as a cornerstone in the intellectual edifice of humanity, across nations, races, faiths, cultures and histories.
“Our sincere best wishes for long life in good health and soundness of mind go out on this momentous occasion to the tallest living Iroko in Nigeria’s literary forest,” he said.
Asein reiterated that NCC would continue to uphold the highest standards of service and renew its commitment to building a better copyright system in which creators and the creative industry thrive.
NCC Coordinator in Oyo State, Mrs Oluropo Oke, said the competition was organised to appreciate the Nobel Laureate’s significant contributions to the field of literature.
She said the competition was to inculcate the reading culture in students as a way of adding value to them.
According to Oke, the competition is part of the series of activities lined up by the commission in continuation of the World Book and Copyright Day’s celebration, which started in April.
NAN reports that eight out of 10 schools were selected to participate in the reading of “Aké: The Years of Childhood”, one of the many books of Soyinka.
At the end of the competition, Ewaoluwa Adebayo from ISI emerged winner with 149 marks, followed by Micaiah Jagun of Government College Ibadan, Apata, with 137 marks.
The third position went to Desmond Akorode of Ikolaba Grammar School, Ibadan, with 136 marks. (NAN)
