WELCOME TO SEPTUAGENARIAN YEARS!!

First, permit me to express deep regrets at my inability to welcome you personally to that classless state of gerontocracy that does not distinguish between the sexes, between pauper and plutocrat, between governors and ex-governors, between presidents and ex-presidents. That state is, of course, varied. There are entrants and occupants who fantasise that they are what they once were and delude themselves that they will remain such for eternity.

On the other side are those who are blissfully content that they have been given the opportunity to contribute to humanity, who can rest confident that they acquitted themselves honorably, selflessly and productively. They move without regrets into other arena of service to humanity, a lesson to those others who raise monuments to careers of extortionism, abuse of public trust and the descration of their oath of office. That I salute you today in open embrace js sufficient indication ofwhich group proudly claims you for its own.

Inevitably there is a sad note to this day. Even if it had been possible for me to be present on this occasion, I should not be the one to hand you the admission key to the Class of 70s. Alas, our mutual friend and comrade, Chief Bola Ige, is no longer with us. The enabling atmosphere for his violent removal was the handiwork of one of those to whomI have earlier referred. Beyond that reminder, I shall not cast a pall on your day of celebration.

Let those who still harbor a twinge of conscience continue to wrestle with that modicum of their claim to a human identity.

Nonetheless, you turn seventy at a time of great expectations turned ashes on the national tongue, at a time of such a degree of national depression that one sometimes doubts that there still exists the capacity to experience even the joys of celebration. Let us insist however that the capacity to celebrate is virtue that humanity dares not abandon, lest we lose the sensibility to recognize and applaud the truly deserving, among whom, unquestionably, you stand pre-eminent.

The problem with celebration is that it is indiscriminate. Even exposed hypocrites, enemies of nation being and humanity do celebrate, and attempt cover the shame of their passage with the ostentatious mantle of monuments. We also celebrate. But we discriminate.

Hence, to you, our brother-in-arms, we spread our arms wide open to chorus:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Proffesor Wole Soyinka