Biodun Jeyifo, Professor emeritus and research professor in Comparative Literature, Havard University, will deliver the keynote address at the 16th edition of the Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series, themed ‘The Death of Truth? Realism, literature and journalism in an age of disinformation’.
The event to celebrate the 90th birthday of Professor Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in literature, is scheduled for Saturday, 13 July 2024, at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos at 10am.
He will be joined by Chidi Odinkalu, Lawyer and Civil Rights Activist; Odia Ofeimun, poet, author and political scientist; Kadaria Ahmed, journalist and media entrepreneur; and Chiamaka Okafor, a journalist. Umaru Pate, Professor of media history and Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, will chair the occasion.
The theme emerged from a pressing need to examine how different forms of storytelling—be it realistic art, literary fiction, or journalistic reporting—contend with the complexities of truth in today’s world, which is increasingly saturated with disinformation. The theme also reflects on the responsibilities of writers, artists, and journalists in preserving and promoting truth.
The Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series is an annual programme of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) aimed at examining varying topical issues that are related to the performance of the media on the health of Nigeria’s democracy and the country. The tradition of holding the event on 13 July started in 2009 to celebrate Professor Wole Soyinka, WSCIJ’s grand patron, on his birthday. `
Through its lectures and various interventions, WSCIJ has consistently played a vital role in strengthening democracy in Nigeria.