Professor Wole Soyinka joins growing list of those rejecting centenary awards honour

NOBEL laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has joined the growing list of eminent Nigerians who are planning to refuse the national honours due to be conferred on 100 of the nation's outstanding citizens over the last century.   On Friday, President Goodluck Jonathan will be conferring awards on 100 prominent Nigerians as part of the government's centenary year celebrations. Professor Soyinka is on the list along with the likes of Professor Chinua Achebe, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, Nwankwo Kanu, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Mike Adenuga and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, among others.   Professor Soyinka said: "I would have preferred that the entire day of infamy be ignored altogether. I'm even thinking favourably of just ignoring the obscenity, then turning up at the counter-event."
On the government's list are several military dictators who Professor Soyinka has fought against over the last 50 years including the likes of General Ibrahim Babangida and General Sani Abacha. Already, Fela's son Femi Anikulapo-Kuti has said his family will reject the honour unless the government first of all apologies for the murder of his grandmother and the burning down of his father's house Kalakuta Republic.   Professor Soyinka has now joined the list of those questioning the criteria for nominating these outstanding 100 Nigerians. He has said he will not attend the ceremony and instead has asked why the government has not seen it fit to look at the list of Nigeria's 20 most outstanding doctors over the last 100 years.   This list includes Sir Samuel Manuwa, Professor John Edozien, Dr Moses Majekodunmi, Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe, Professor Latunde Odeku, Professor  Nelson Oyesiku and Dr Funmi Olopade. Others on the list include Professor Oyin Olurin, Professor Orishejolomi  Thomas, Professor Bello Osagie, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Professor Ade Elebute, Dr Akinola Maja, Professor Femi Williams, Professor Ambrose Alli, Dr Dalhatu Tafida, Professor Ishaya Audu, Professor Oladele Ajose and Professor Tola Adebonojo among others.   Professor Soyinka has said he will endeavour, however, to be at the centenary awards planned in London on June 27 during which diasporans will honour 100 outstanding Nigerians in the UK. At a gala dinner due to take place at Waltham Forest Town Hall in east London tagged Nigerian Centenary Awards UK, diasporans will hand out honours to 100 Nigerians who have excelled in various fields in the UK over the last 100 years.