Former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu have joined millions of Nigerians to celebrate literature icon, Prof. Wole Soyinka on his 85th birthday.
In a press release made available to Anaedoonline.com, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu described Soyinka as a global man of letters, vision, and extraordinary courage. He applauded him for his commitment to humanity and Africa’s culture.
The Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank, in his message, also appreciated Prof Wole Soyinka for endorsing his Presidential Candidacy In the Last Presidential election.
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Read Prof. Kingsley Muoghalu’s Message to Wole Soyinka below:
I congratulate you, Professor Wole Soyinka CFR, winner of the Noble Prize for Literature (1986) as you turn 85 years old today. You are a global man of letters, vision, and extraordinary courage. Yours is a profound commitment to humanity, Africa’s culture and our continent’s place under the sun. An inspiration to me and millions around the world, your greatness, your footprints in the annals of the world’s literary and intellectual history, and Nigeria’s political evolution since independence in 1960, deserve every decibel of celebration at a time when too many young people in Nigeria have the wrong kinds of role model.
I recall with humility and deep gratitude your historic endorsement of my candidacy for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in our 2019 general elections after a thorough assessment of all the contestants. Your endorsement reverberated – and still does – far beyond the immediate and passing phase of the elections themselves, and beyond Nigeria’s geography, as a historical statement heard around the world, of your sage vision for the future of our country, and your recommendation to address Nigeria’s longstanding crisis of leadership.
My First encounter with you was distant, as a 14-year old student of English Literature at Government College, Umuahia through your famous poem, “The Telephone Conversation”. Little would I have imagined that one day would receive an unsolicited invitation from you to lunch in Lagos in early 2018 after you happened to read my most recent book “Build, Innovate and Grow (BIG): My Vision for Our Country”.
That lunch at your favorite Chinese restaurant contributed to your interest in the evolving political scene and the possibilities for a new political order in Nigeria led by a new generation of leaders.
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Although you did not know these facts before you had decided to endorse me – as you indicated in your formal statement at the time – I am proud to share with you some cultural affinity through my Yoruba name Ayodele (your late father’s name) given to me by your aunt (a fact I on my part did not know!) late Mrs. Fumilayo Ransome Kuti at my birth in Lagos in 1963.
Thank you, my dear Professor and revered elder statesman. Your personal and political endorsement will ever remain one of the landmarks of my life. I shall ever be grateful for it. As you turn 85 today, may the Good Lord shine His Face upon you and your family. And may He bless you, Nigeria, and us all. I wish you many more years on earth.
Your truly yours,
Kingsley Moghalu.
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