President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on his 92nd birthday, describing him as a global icon and Nigeria’s literary star.

This was contained in a statement personally signed by the President on Sunday in Abuja.

Tinubu described Soyinka as an exceptional personality whose courage, intellect and lifelong advocacy for justice had illuminated humanity’s path.

“Exceptional individuals like Professor Soyinka do not come often in a generation, men who illuminate the paths for humanity to follow across diverse endeavours.

“They are not afraid to go against convention and do not let the man die in the face of oppression and injustice,” he said.

The president congratulated the playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, actor and irrepressible advocate of good governance on the milestone.

Tinubu recalled Soyinka’s historic emergence as the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.

He also highlighted Soyinka’s numerous international honours, including the Benson Medal, Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Lifetime Achievement.

The president particularly recalled Soyinka’s decades-long struggle against military dictatorship and his role in the June 12 democratic struggle.

“I recall Professor Soyinka’s valiant struggle against military dictatorship for decades and his efforts in the June 12 struggle, for which we were both in the trenches.

“Today, I salute one of our nation’s living repositories of history, knowledge and courage. That he is with us is a gift we will always treasure,” Tinubu said.

He thanked Soyinka for his enduring faith in the Nigerian project and his wise counsel on national issues.

Tinubu said the literary icon’s works and activism had profoundly influenced generations of writers, scholars and activists globally.

“As he marks this birthday, I join the world in celebrating his profound influence on generations of writers, scholars and activists, as well as his sacrifices for our nation.

“I wish ‘Kongi’ many more years in excellent health,” the president said.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Christian leaders have welcomed the rescue of the abducted pupils, teachers and school officials from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State but insisted that the government must go beyond securing their freedom by ensuring their rehabilitation, strengthening security and ending the wave of kidnappings across the country.

The renewed call came as the Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other clerics urged authorities to provide medical care, trauma counselling and lasting protection for schools while intensifying efforts to free Nigerians still held by kidnappers and terrorists.

The rescued victims, numbering 46 according to CAN, regained their freedom on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity following the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area, where heavily armed gunmen abducted pupils, teachers and the school principal.

In a statement issued in Ibadan, President of the Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, described the release as a moment of thanksgiving but stressed that the victims’ return marked only the beginning of the healing process.

The bishops said the rescued children and teachers, having endured severe psychological trauma and harsh conditions, require comprehensive medical attention, counselling and deliberate reintegration support to enable them resume normal life.

While congratulating the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and security agencies for the successful rescue, the bishops maintained that the government must fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property by preventing a recurrence of such attacks.

They also appealed to journalists to respect the privacy of the rescued victims and avoid repeated interviews that could worsen their emotional trauma, while urging communities to remain vigilant and collaborate with local vigilante groups to keep criminals away.

Similarly, CAN expressed gratitude to God for preserving the lives of the victims and commended President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, security agencies, intelligence operatives, Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes for their coordinated efforts that secured the release.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, however, cautioned against limiting the celebration to the Oriire rescue, noting that many Nigerian families in states such as Borno and Niger were still awaiting the return of loved ones held by terrorists and bandits.

According to him, the successful rescue should renew national commitment towards securing the freedom of every Nigerian still in captivity, irrespective of region, ethnicity or religion.

He also urged governments, faith-based organisations and humanitarian agencies to work together in providing psychological support, medical care and rehabilitation for the rescued victims, stressing that schools must once again become places of learning rather than fear.

Meanwhile, Christian clerics from different denominations have identified national unity and sustained prayers as critical to overcoming Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and socio-economic challenges.

Speaking during the 2nd Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Rehoboth Chapel of Glory International, Dakibiyu District, Abuja, the church’s Leader-in-Charge, Pastor Femi Akinfenwa, said harvest celebrations should serve as opportunities to unite Nigerians and inspire national development.

Chairman of the Youth Wing of CAN in Kano State, Rev. Dr. Samuel Asake, said Nigeria was at a critical crossroads and required divine intervention to overcome insecurity, division and instability.

Guest minister, Pastor Nathaniel Ayankanmi, described the rescue of the Oriire pupils as evidence that prayers remained effective, arguing that Nigeria’s challenges would have been worse without sustained spiritual intercession.

Also speaking, Pastor Alex Ogundipe of Peculiar Church, Kubwa, urged Nigerians to complement prayers with obedience to godly principles, compassion and generosity, saying national transformation requires both faith and responsible action.

The clerics offered prayers for peace, economic recovery and wisdom for the nation’s leaders, while calling on governments at all levels to adopt lasting measures that will end kidnappings and restore public confidence in the country’s security architecture.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Sunday, joined the people of Oyo State and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians in thanking Almighty God for the safe rescue of the pupils, teachers and other victims abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area after 56 difficult days in captivity.

In a statement issued by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in Abuja.

It would be recalled that 46 people, consisting of 39 pupils and 7 teachers, were initially abducted during the mass school kidnapping in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor, Governor Seyi Makinde, and all the security agencies involved in the rescue of the teachers and the school children.

Okoh also tasked the relevant agencies to ensure the freedom of every Nigerian still held by terrorists, bandits or other criminal groups.

The statement reads, “For the children who have returned, for the teachers who have been reunited with their families, and for parents whose tears have given way to joy, this is a day of profound gratitude. We give God all the glory for preserving their lives through an ordeal no child or teacher should ever experience.

“I also commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, the Intelligence Agencies, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, Amotekun Corps, local hunters, vigilantes and everyone who played a role in bringing this painful episode to a successful conclusion. The reports that the operation was guided by patience, credible intelligence and a determination to protect innocent lives are reassuring and deserve recognition. Every successful rescue reminds us that when our security institutions work together with resolve and professionalism, hope can triumph over fear.

“Governor Seyi Makinde also deserves our appreciation for standing with the affected families throughout this painful period. We are encouraged by his assurance that the Oyo State Government will support the rehabilitation of the rescued children and teachers as they begin to rebuild their lives. We rejoice with the government and people of Oyo State and pray that such sorrow will never visit our schools again”.

“As encouraging as this development is, however, I find it difficult to celebrate without also thinking about other Nigerian families whose own story has not yet changed.

” Today, parents in Oriire will hold their children again after weeks of anxious waiting. We rejoice with them. But there are mothers and fathers in Borno, Niger and other parts of our country who will still go to bed praying that the next knock on the door will bring news that their own children are coming home.

“Their pain is no less real because it attracts fewer headlines. Their tears are no less bitter because the cameras have moved elsewhere”, he said .

The CAN President noted, “As Christians, we believe that every child is a gift from God and that every human life carries equal dignity. That is why Scripture urges us to “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed” (Psalm 82:3). Our compassion must never become selective, and our concern must never depend on geography, ethnicity or religion.

“The rescue in Oyo should strengthen our determination to secure the freedom of every Nigerian still held by terrorists, bandits or other criminal groups. It should renew hope for families who have waited far too long and reassure them that they have not been forgotten”.

He therefore urged the government to ensure the victims are rehabilitated, “It should also remind us that bringing victims home is only part of the task. Children who have lived through weeks of fear will need time, care and understanding to heal. The same is true of their teachers and families. We therefore encourage governments, faith communities and humanitarian organisations to work together in providing the counselling, medical care and emotional support they will require as they rebuild their lives.

He urged the government to ensure, “Our schools must once again become places of learning, not places of fear. No parent should have to choose between giving a child an education and keeping that child alive.

“At this moment of thanksgiving, I urge all Nigerians not to allow this welcome success to diminish our concern for those who are still in captivity. Let us continue to pray, to support our security personnel, and to stand with every family that is waiting for the safe return of a loved one.

“CAN will continue to pray for the full recovery of those who have been rescued and for God’s protection over the men and women risking their lives to defend our nation. We also pray that the Lord will comfort families still living with uncertainty and grant success to every lawful effort to bring the remaining captives home.

“Our celebration will be complete not only when those in captivity are released but also when all Nigerians can move about freely without fear”, he stressed.