The honours were conferred during a prestigious ceremony on March 26 at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to unveil the African Cultural Festival 2025, scheduled to take place from September 19 to 20, 2025, in Pennsylvania.
The United States government, through the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Senate, has honoured Nigerian cultural icons — Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka and legendary artist, Chief Nike Okundaye — for their transformative contributions to global literature and contemporary African art.
The honours were conferred during a prestigious ceremony on March 26 at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to unveil the African Cultural Festival 2025, scheduled to take place from September 19 to 20, 2025, in Pennsylvania.
Soyinka, widely regarded as the father of modern African literature and a tireless advocate for human rights, was presented with “Distinguished Honors” in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to literature, culture, and global discourse.
“The Senate of Pennsylvania applauds Professor Soyinka for his pioneering role in African literature and his unwavering advocacy for free speech, democracy, and social justice,” the official Senate citation read.
Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Joanna E. McClinton, also commended the Nobel Laureate for his intellectual prowess, stating: “Wole Soyinka’s unparalleled literary achievements have inspired generations and ignited critical thinking across the globe.”
Chief Nike Okundaye, founder of the world-renowned Nike Art Gallery in Lagos, was honored for her groundbreaking influence on African visual art and her work in preserving traditional craft techniques.
A trailblazer in the revival and innovation of the Adire resist-dyeing technique, Okundaye was celebrated for fusing ancestral Yoruba motifs with modern aesthetics, thereby redefining African textile art on the global stage.
“She is a custodian of African heritage whose art and teachings have empowered over 5,000 women with traditional craft skills such as Adire-making and weaving,” noted the joint citation from both the Senate and the House.
“Her mission to foster economic independence and cultural continuity has revitalised communities across Nigeria and beyond.”
The unveiling of the festival also marked a milestone for African cultural diplomacy, with Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive Officer of ACI234 Entertainment LLC, highlighting the festival’s broader purpose.
“The African Cultural Festival 2025 is designed to celebrate African heritage, foster international collaboration, and stimulate trade and cultural exchange between Africa, the United States, and the world,” Adeniyi said.
He expressed gratitude to the Pennsylvania legislature and government for recognising the two Nigerian legends, stating that their acknowledgment represents “a bridge between continents through the universal language of art and culture.”
Among the anticipated highlights of the upcoming festival is the official launch of Duduplugs, a cutting-edge digital platform developed by ACI234.
The platform aims to connect African creatives with global audiences and expand the continent’s influence in the digital economy.
Festival Director Foluke Michael described the African Cultural Festival as “a celebration of tradition and innovation — a vibrant fusion of Africa’s timeless heritage with contemporary expression.”
She also paid tribute to the Lagos State Government and Professor Soyinka’s earlier work in shaping Nigeria’s cultural landscape through the Lagos Black Heritage Festival.
“That era gave birth to a cultural renaissance,” Michael recalled. “It was during that time that the iconic ‘Rhumble in Lagos’ — featuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and boxing legend Evander Holyfield — symbolized a global awakening to Africa’s cultural power. It planted the seed for what we now know as the African Cultural Festival.”
Michael announced that the official countdown to the 2025 festival will kick off in Lagos at the end of April, setting the stage for a historic, transatlantic celebration of African creativity, identity, and global influence.
