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Wole Soyinka’s Reflections and Cultural Exchange Programme

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Soyinka
Wole Soyinka's Reflections and Cultural Exchange Programme

Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka expressed surprise at reaching the age of 90 during the 2024 edition of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme at his residence in Abeokuta. Answering questions from over 383 students, Soyinka reflected on his life and career, emphasizing that he never expected to live this long when he was younger.

The programme, attended by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, included celebrations of Soyinka’s 90th birthday, marked by scholarships and laptops awarded to outstanding students in an essay competition. Soyinka, born on July 13, 1934, thanked the governor for his efforts in preserving the environment around his home and contributing to the community’s development.

Reflecting on his life’s choices, Soyinka addressed his decision to become a writer and his activism during Nigeria’s military era, clarifying an incident at a radio station where he intervened to protect public interest. He urged Nigerians to introspect and take responsibility for societal issues like crime rather than solely criticizing the government.

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Governor Abiodun praised Soyinka as an exemplary figure whose cultural exchange programme promotes education and cultural understanding among youth. He emphasized the importance of engaging young people in nation-building and advocating for good governance, aligning with Soyinka’s values of justice, freedom, and excellence in the arts.

The Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme, spanning over 14 years, continues to uphold Soyinka’s legacy by fostering unity and understanding through essay competitions, advocacy, and performing arts. Governor Abiodun highlighted its role in nurturing future leaders who embody Soyinka’s principles and contribute positively to society.

Overall, the event underscored Soyinka’s enduring impact as a global citizen and celebrated his lifelong dedication to education, cultural exchange, and the pursuit of a just world.

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Entertainment

Travis Kelce Impresses in Acting Debut: Cast and Crew Praise NFL Star’s Transition to TV”

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Ahead of Travis Kelce’s much-anticipated debut, his costars Courtney B. Vance, Raven Goodwin, and more expressed their admiration for the NFL star’s acting skills in exclusive interviews with E! News.

Travis made a remarkable impact on his Grotesquerie castmates, both on and off camera, leaving a lasting positive impression.

According to his TV family, he has great potential in acting. “Absolutely,” shared costar and executive producer Courtney B. Vance. “He was incredibly prepared and a wonderful, wonderful man.”

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Raven Goodwin echoed these sentiments, describing him as “lovely” and “gracious.” She noted, “He can do anything he wants to do. He’s Travis Kelce.”

Actress Micaela Diamond also highlighted his team spirit, saying, “I had a great time working with Travis. He’s such a dear.”

For both Micaela and Travis, Grotesquerie marks a significant milestone, as it’s their first big TV project. “We were just the newbies on set, learning from these amazing actors,” she explained.

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Nicholas Alexander Chavez was also impressed, saying, “I can’t believe it’s his first show. He brought so much confidence to the role.”

Ryan Murphy, the show’s creator, praised Travis’ charisma at the New York premiere. “A star is a star, and Travis is one,” Ryan remarked. “He’s so smart and so lovely.”

Off-set, Travis also had the support of his girlfriend Taylor Swift, who encouraged him to explore his new passion. Ryan shared, “She’s been very supportive of him, and I was thrilled about that.”

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Florian Wirtz Shines as Bayer Leverkusen Dominates Feyenoord in Champions League

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Florian Wirtz Shines as Bayer Leverkusen Dominates Feyenoord in Champions League

Florian Wirtz made an impressive Champions League debut, scoring twice as Bayer Leverkusen cruised to a commanding victory over Feyenoord. The 21-year-old German international opened the scoring just five minutes into the match, placing a precise shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

Leverkusen’s second goal came from a well-executed combination between their wing-backs, as Jeremie Frimpong delivered a pinpoint cross for Alex Grimaldo to convert. Frimpong was once again the provider, setting up Wirtz for his second goal, a well-taken volley that gave the visitors a 3-0 lead.

The game was effectively over by half-time when Edmond Tapsoba’s header forced Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther into an own goal, capping off a clinical performance from the Bundesliga champions.

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Despite having fewer shots than their Dutch opponents, Leverkusen was ruthless with their chances, securing a comprehensive win. This marked Feyenoord’s first loss under new manager Brian Priske, who took over following Arne Slot’s departure to Liverpool.

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Jannik Sinner Cleared After Positive Tests for Banned Substance

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Jannik Sinner Cleared After Positive Tests for Banned Substance

World number one Jannik Sinner has been officially cleared of any wrongdoing following two positive tests for a banned substance in March. The Italian tennis star tested positive for low levels of clostebol, a steroid commonly used to build muscle mass, during the Indian Wells tournament.

A second sample taken eight days later also returned a positive result for the same substance. As a result, Sinner was automatically placed under a provisional suspension. However, he successfully challenged this suspension, allowing him to continue competing.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) conducted an investigation and found that Sinner had been inadvertently contaminated by his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi. Naldi had applied an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol to treat a cut on his own hand before performing treatments on Sinner. The ITIA accepted that the contamination was unintentional, and an independent tribunal cleared Sinner of any fault or negligence last week.

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Despite being cleared, Sinner will lose the ranking points and prize money he earned from his semi-final run at Indian Wells. Reflecting on the ordeal, Sinner stated, “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping program. I have a team around me that is meticulous in their own compliance.”

Clostebol, which is often found in products used to treat swelling and irritation, is listed as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Sinner, who is also the reigning Australian Open champion, will enter the US Open as the top seed, with the tournament set to begin on Monday.

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