Ms. Sonaiya, the first woman to ever qualify as a presidential candidate in Nigeria, used the occasion of her visit to sincerely thank Mr. Soyinka for his immense contribution to Nigeria over the years and the personal sacrifices he had made on account of the nation.
The presidential candidate of KOWA Party in the upcoming 2015 general elections, Remi Sonaiya, has visited Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, at his Freedom Park office in Lagos.
While thanking Professor Soyinka for making time to receive her, Professor Sonaiya reminded him that their last face-to-face meeting had taken place several decades ago at Cornell University, USA, while Mr. Soyinka was a visiting professor at the institution and Mrs Sonaiya herself was undergoing her postgraduate studies.
It was a happy ‘reunion’ and a meeting of intellectuals as Professor Peyi Soyinka-Airewele, daughter of the Nobel Laureate, was also present.
Ms. Sonaiya, the first woman to ever qualify as a presidential candidate in Nigeria, used the occasion of her visit to sincerely thank Mr. Soyinka for his immense contribution to Nigeria over the years and the personal sacrifices he had made on account of the nation.
She then presented to the Nobel Laureate three of her books: A Trust to Earn: Reflections on Leadership and Life in Nigeria (2010); Igniting Consciousness: Nigeria and Other Riddles (2013); and Daybreak Nigeria: This Nation Must Rise! (2014).
The short visit was rounded off with Mr. Soyinka conducting the presidential candidate and her team around the Freedom Park, once the actual site of a colonial prison, and where a very important part of our national history is currently preserved.
During Ms. Sonaiya March 17 visit, Mr. Soyinka appreciated Governor Babatunde Fashola, who readily accepted the proposal to transform that historical space into a memorial and meeting place of ideas.
“Although the tour lasted only a few minutes, its impact on all who were present may well last a lifetime,” Jahman Anikulapo, a culture advocate, said.