WorldStage Newsonline-- It was a celebration of culture and tradition on Friday as the Nobel Laurel, Prof. Wole Soyinka clocked 78, thanks to Zmirage Multimedia Limited that organized different events at two different locations in Lagos.

The program, majorly sponsored by Ogun State was to promote cultural exchange and develop writing skills among students in secondary schools.

This year edition brought together 78 secondary school students from different states, backgrounds, religions and tribes.

With the students camped by the organizers for almost a week, so as to participate in an Essay competition with the topic, “The Mind of a Patriot”, they also put together dancing, reading and poem recitation competitions

The winners of the competitions were, Lafiaji Junior School’s Dancing Group, Ofoegbu Uchechi of Holy Child College, Lagos, and Ogungbe Olaoluwa Crescent International High School, Ijoka, Ogun State respectively.

The highlights of the event include the red carpet performance by the 78 participating students and the presentation of a stage play titled, “Home”, a play by Samm Art Williams which was directed by Segun Ojewuyi.

 Executive Producer and Artistic Director, Zmirage Multimadia Ltd, Prof. Olusegun Ojewuyi said, the program was designed to celebrate Prof. Wole Soyinka birthday and also to promote cultural exchange within and outside the country.

According to him, “human ‘activities’, albeit our choices, values and the solemnization of our human ‘beginess’ during and beyond the course of our lives should not and must never be submitted to the lame whims of some conjured ‘patriotic’ obsessions, or the other artificial boundaries of race, colour, tribe, religion, class or status”.

He said he had realized that the well from which we all drink, is the well of a common humanity and the culture of that well is richly robed in the quality of our human activities, and choices.

He said what is now referred to as the International Cultural Exchange series “is a vision of many years in making, three years in practical actualization.”

Mrs. Lilian Amah, the Producer of the program spoke about the challenge of mobilizing schools for the Essay competition, specifically with the ministries of Educations in various states.

She appreciated the sponsors, particularly the Ogun State Government and also the parents for releasing their children for the program.

In continuation of the program, the students are expected to be hosted by Ogun State Government on Saturday, while they will be received in Akure by the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko on Sunday.

While in Ondo State, they would visit Idanre Hill on the 16th of July and then return to Lagos same day.

Other events include, ICR Reception with a performance by Tunji Oyelana in London, Friday 27th July, “From Tigritude to Transcendence, The Conscience and Conscientiousness of Wole Soyinka”, an Advocacy Lecture by prof. Robert Fox and presentation of “Home”, a stage play by Segun Ojewuyi on Satuaday 28th July. There would be a Dance Workshop by Peter Badejo O.B.E, Dance2 Mesmerize Presents “Big City Blues” by Stanlay Amah and “Home” by Segun Ojewuyi will be on Sunday 29th of July.

This year program is sponsored by Ogun and Ondo states. Other supporters include Smiridu Hotel, Continental Suites, Africa Centre, Nigerian Watch Newspaper, CETTIE, Adatin Restore, Ritual Arts Theater, Folag, Freedom Park etc.