- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has showered encomium on renowned Nigerian literature don, Prof. Babafemi Osofisan, ahead of his 80th birthday anniversary.
Tinubu, in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, hailed the playwright and scholar who will clock 80 on Tuesday.
The president described Osofisan as a literary colossus whose life and accomplishments are a demonstration of service, dedication, and hard work.
Tinubu, as quoted by Onanuga, commended the emeritus professor for his contribution to scholarship and theatre arts as he joined his family and friends in celebrating him.
“I warmly congratulate this literary colossus as he turns 80 on June 16. His life and accomplishments are a demonstration of service, dedication, and hard work.
“I salute his enormous contributions to scholarship and the theatre arts and his consistent advocacy for a national rebirth. He remains one of our nation’s finest minds.
“As Professor Osofisan celebrates this milestone, I join his family, friends, and the literary community in wishing him excellent health and praying that his fount of wisdom continues to flourish.” The president said.
Onanuga, on his part, described Osofisan as one of those incredibly brilliant individuals who have blessed the world with their creativity.
“A playwright, poet, novelist, teacher, scholar, emeritus professor and newspaper columnist, Professor Osofisan has dedicated his life to addressing societal ills and calling for a moral reawakening through his works.
“His novella, Maami, served as the basis for a Nigerian drama film produced and directed by Tunde Kelani in 2011.” He wrote.
Born in Erunwon, Ogun State, Professor Osofisan attended Government College Ibadan for his secondary education.
He then went to the University of Ibadan, where he majored in French. He later attended the Sorbonne in Paris for his graduate studies.
He served in various faculty positions at the University of Ibadan, where he retired as a full professor.
In recognition of his efforts in theatre arts, he was awarded the prestigious Thalia Prize by the International Association of Theatre Critics in 2016.