Several reactions have trailed the naming of Arterial Road stretching from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX), as Professor Wole Soyinka Highway.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onauga disclosed on Tuesday that this followed recommendation by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration.
In naming the road after the distinguished playwright, poet and novelist who clocks 90 on 13 July, President Tinubu said Soyinka was the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize.
He added that Soyinka has brought honour and fame to Nigeria.
“Professor Wole Soyinka has brought immense honour and fame to Nigeria through his unparalleled contributions to literature and his unwavering commitment to human rights and social justice,” Tinubu said.
“Naming this highway after him is a fitting tribute to a man who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth, freedom, and artistic excellence.”
Reacting to the development, some Nigerians took to social media, to express their views regarding the renaming of the road which is vital in Abuja’s transport network.
thegeniusdr wrote: “Toyin Abraham is next! Tinubu will name one public toilet in Abuja after her.”
itz_kym wrote: “So, he sold his integrity and conscience to get a road named after him? That’s just cheap.”
soulful.sensationz wrote: “As always, Tinubu is good at rewarding his friends and allies.”
la_dyf6 wrote: ‘‘This man that was respected from when I was a child, no sold his aura for a piece of bread because tax master is in power..”
meo_bash wrote: “Brotherhood government”
pemaraccents wrote: “Na why he dey misyarn for those interviews 😂 Noble laureate sef dey hustle for daily bread.”
glamiciouscollections wrote: “It now makes sense.”