Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has expressed appreciation on the award of Lifetime achievement conferred on him by the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria (UNN).
Soyinka said this, on Wednesday, in Nsukka, in a remark after being honoured during the 2nd memorial Chinua Achebe international conference organised by the Institute.
He said he was part and parcel foundation of UNN and wherever he found himself, he would identify with the university as part of the key root of his existence .
“I am happy on the turnout of people and the award. It has re-ignited my sense of belonging in UNN.
“I consider myself part and parcel of the foundation of the university. I will always identify with UNN wherever I find myself as the premier university of Nigeria, “he said.
The nobel laureate commended the natural green environment of UNN as it was not achieved by bulldozer.
He continued, “In many places it’s bull-dozer that dictates the architecture of the environment but here its natural.
“I congratulate the university management, especially the vice-chancellor and urged them to continue to maintain this natural environment,” he said.
Prof. Soyinka said he was not UNN for speech making but to grace the occasion.
In a remark Prof Benjamin Ozumba, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN applauded the institute for attracting a world literary giant and noble lauerate whose contributions to literary world remain unquantifiable.
“The university is happy that Nobel Lauerate who is a world literary icon is in UNN today live.
“UNN will continue to honour late Prof. Chinue Achebe through the annual memorial lecture as his literary. achievements made UNN a household name in every part of the world,” he said.
Earlier, the Director of the Centre, Prof. Emeka Nwabueze, said many people did not take him serious when he said he would bring Soyinka the nobel laureate to UNN.
According to Nwabueze,” I was convinced that Soyinka will grace the occasion since him and late Achebe are all giant in the literary world.
“UNN and the Institute will remain grateful to noble laureate for honouring our invitation, “he said.
Speaking with newsmen later, Mr. Pat Asadu representing Nsukka /Igboeze-South Federal constituency in House of representatives, who was also given a lifetime achievement award by the Institute, said the award would make him to do more to humanity through the .
In the words of Asadu,”I am surprised two weeks ago when the institute informed me of the award which they said was because of many things I have done to my constituency.
“I do not even know the university is noticing my humble contributions to my constituency and humanity.
“This award will spur me to do more to my constituency and humanity,” he said.