Soyinka Wins Awo Leadership Prize

Professor Wole Soyinka has been named winner of the first ever Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership, instituted in honour of the late politician. The Nobel Laureate was named today by a selection committee headed by former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

Anyaoku said the committee, “after very careful consideration, came to a unanimous conclusion” that Professor Soyinka deserved the award, amid a large number of nominees.

Anyaoku added that the literary guru has “in various ways demonstrated many of the core values” for which the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was known.

The award was instituted by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation to recognise “a Nigerian who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and good governance.”

Soyinka would be presented with the award proper at a ceremony on 6 March, 2013, a date which coincides with the birthday of Chief Awolowo.

—Tokunbo Olajide