By Uthman Samad & Akpoyovwaire Aghogho Uniquette
Oduduwa hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University was full to the brim today as Students of the institution were chanting 'iwe iwe' in praising of the first African Nobel Laurette being Honoured.
The institution and the Governor of Ogun State celebrated Wole Soyinka, a Professor and first Africa Nobel Laureate by inaugurating the Wole Soyinka Museum in the institution.
According to the Director of Ife Institute of Cultural Studies, Felix Omidire, the festival would feature an exhibition of prepared indigenous dishes from different parts of Nigeria and from across Africa, the program is slated to last for a week.
While welcoming the audience, the Vice Chancellor of OAU, Eyitope Ogunbodede accorded Soyinka being worth celebrated with the need to project Africa's cultural heritage as food remain the central to man's well-being and humanity.
He also spoke about the contribution of Mr. Soyinka to the development of culture in Nigeria.
The don was celebrated at the maiden edition of OAU -Ife Festival of Food and Identity, which started on Monday July 30 expected to end on August 3 of which he declared the a-week event open by cutting of yam.
Ibikunle Amosun, the Governor of Ogun State represented by his Deputy, Yetunde Onanuga, said: "Ogun State is one of the rice producing state in Nigeria and the state government believe that Agriculture change the narrative of Nigerian economy away from oil."
The university reiterated that the festival is in line with the spirit of revival and resuscitation of the deep religious convergence, heterogeneity and conference which the Ife Civilization represents which aligns with the motto of the 56-year old institution, “for learning and culture."
The President of the Africa Development Bank (AFDB), Akinwumi Adesina, who will deliver the keynote address at the festival colloquium on Wednesday
Photos by OAU Peeps Photo Journalist, Ilebani Olushola.
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