Sanwo-Olu Dey Jolly As Dem Give National Arts Theatre New Name: Wole Soyinka Centre For Culture And Creative Arts

“Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, talk say di reopening of National Arts Theatre, wey dem don rename Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, na like new life for one national icon and celebration of Naija creative spirit.” “For im keynote speech wey e deliver for di commissioning ceremony wey President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of House Tajudeen Abbas plus other big oga dem attend, Sanwo-Olu talk say dis event no be only historic but e show say Naija culture dey do better come back.” “E sweet me belle as I welcome all of una, our guests, friends, and well-wishers of Lagos State, to dis big historic event, wey be di commissioning of our restored and reformed National Theatre for Government Lagos. Dem don now rename am Wole Soyinka Centre for Arts and Culture. On top Lagos State Government and di people wey dey here, I dey send better greetings and warm welcome to all of una,” na wetin Governor Sanwo-Olu talk be that. Sanwo-Olu hail President Tinubu say na “di Papa of di Nation, na under im eye Lagos story begin change for better like 25 years ago.” E still add say as dem host di president during Nigeria 65th Independence celebration, e carry better meaning, because na for Lagos dem first drop Union flag and raise Green-White-Green for 1960.

Di governor remember di historic FESTAC ’77, wey bring African and Black people from all over di world come gather for di same hall almost 50 years ago. “Na here we first show say anything fit happen when culture dey lead front, when art turn di language wey join people together. That same spirit still dey dis place today. FESTAC ’77 give us di National Theatre, and di National Theatre still give us FESTAC ’77, e show di whole world say Africa and Black people fit do better things if we put our mind and heart join body.” “Lagos State dey proud say we be major stakeholder and partner for dis project, and we don show am well-well. First, we make sure say di Blue Line train pass here with correct stop for inside di complex. Na from there di restoration start. We even drop better portion of land join, so dem fit build world-class creative art space around di theatre. Wetin all dis mean be say, wetin we dey commission today na just di beginning.” As Governor Sanwo-Olu hail Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, wey dem rename di theatre to honour, e talk say, “I no fit end dis talk without hailing di man, di legend, wey dem don name dis centre after, na by order of His Excellency, Mr President. Na Professor Oluwole Akinwande Soyinka, Africa first person wey carry Nobel Prize for Literature.” “Him works na clear proof say our beloved city, Lagos, still dey inspire people strong. With dis official opening, we believe say Prof. go dey spend more time for here, dey showcase him legendary works and even create new ones for us.” Governor Sanwo-Olu come end him speech with better hope for Lagos future: “Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Mr President, new Lagos don dey show face for our very eyes. A true modern mega-city for Africa. FESTAC ’77 no be di highest Lagos fit reach again, na now e don turn solid foundation wey endless possibilities fit rise from. I thank His Excellency, Mr President, for joining us to commission dis rebirth of Lagos big landmark. God bless Lagos State. God bless di Federal Republic of Nigeria.”