As the Federal Government under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan honours 100 influential Nigerians today as part of the programme to commemorate Nigeria’s Centenary celebration, Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka has rejected the award.
Also, the family of late music legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti has rejected the posthumous awards meant for their father.
Professor Soyinka is on the list alongside prominent Nigerians like Professor Chinua Achebe, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Chief Odimegwu Ojukwu, Nwankwo Kanu, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Mike Adenuga and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, among others.
On why he would not accept the award, 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.”
Professor Soyinka, however, said he will endeavour 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.
On his part, Femi Kuti, son of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, averred that the family would not accept any centenary award in his father’s honour.
Femi, while speaking with Punch correspondent via twitter stated that the family had not been officially informed about any centenary award for Fela.
He noted that the Federal Government should first apologise for killing his grandmother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and destroying of Kalakuta Republic.
“We have not heard such, but I can speak for myself, Federal Government should first apologise for the killing of our grandmother and the burning of Kalakuta,” he wrote.
Asked if the family would accept the award if the government apologised for the two wrongs mentioned, Femi said he doubts if the family would accept the award.
“Like I said, we have not heard anything from the Federal Government. But I doubt if the family will accept the award.”
Daily Post
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