By Wuraola Oyedokun
An intellectual enclave in Ibadan, the Initiative for Information, Arts and Culture Development [IACD], is gathering over 80 secondary and primary schools to mark the 90th birthday of the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka in a month-long exhibition depicting the impactful life of the playwright.
The President of IACD, Dr. Kolade Mosuro, disclosed this yesterday, while briefing journalists   at IACD Library and Resource Centre, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Soyinka, who was born in 1934, will be 90 on July 13,2024.
Mosuro, who was flanked by Dr. Tunde Awosanmi and Mr. Patrick Agwu, said IACD would be celebrating the icon in a unique way, pointing out that it was a special grace to clock 90.
The IACD boss said there were a plethora of programmes lined up for the exhibition, which include performances, stage plays, reading and others.
 He said the students would know more about  Soyinka, whom he described  as a patriot, advocate of fair play, dramatist, artist, guitarist, music lover and Nobel laureate.
Mosuro maintained that the students would learn from the icon’s story of rigorous study, reflection and growth.
According to him, Government College, Ibadan [GCI] would  stage ‘The Lion and The Jewel’ directed by Jumoke Sobo; ‘Childe’s International’ directed by Dele Morakinyo will be staged on July 19,2024 at Bishop Philip Academy, Aperin, Ibadan ; ‘Isara’:  A stage adaption of Wole Soyinka by Femi Osofisan on July 26, 2024 by 5.00 p.m. at Wole Soyinka Theatre, University of Ibadan.
Mosuro said: ‘’Professor Wole Soyinka will be 90 on July 13,2024. To mark the occasion, we will be mounting a first-of-its-kind in the country special exhibition, depicting his full life and have this on for a month from July 2 to July 31,2024. The exhibition will trace his stellar life from birth to date. It will be a display of visuals , memorabilia with sound woven in a thematic manner to tell his rich and remarkable story.
‘’The exhibition venue is the premises of Initiative for Information, Arts and Culture Development [IACD], Magazine Road, Jericho, Ibadan.
 ‘’Several activities have been and are being held across the globe , but what we are doing is different. Students of 80 secondary and primary schools – more of public and few private – will gather here to celebrate and see the exhibition. It is to inspire and rekindle the legacy of scholarship and creativity of Wole Soyinka in the students. It would rekindle some interest in reading culture in them. Another Wole Soyinka could emerge from the students. While the students would come daily, the general public could come in the afternoons and Saturdays. His life is a story of rigorous study, reflection and growth and a man of rare conscience in any part of the world’’.