Gbolahan Balogun
The National Association of Seadogs, also known as Pyrates Confraternity said it has earmarked the next couple of months to showcase what it calls its nobility, enduring ethos and continued quest to create a just society in Nigeria.
The Capoon, Mr. Abiola Owoaje disclosed this at the unveiling of the 70th- anniversary logo and theme, which took place at the Raddison Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Friday.
Owoaje said though many activities had been lined up to showcase all that the association stood for over the years, it would also use the period, especially as the nation inches closer to the 2023 elections, to continue its push for a just society where no one would be a victim of colour, gender, or creed.
“We shall through our celebrations join Nigerians to demand for free, fair and credible elections in 2023.
“This would be the most fitting climax of the celebration of our 70th anniversary, he told the audience at the event.
He said the Pyrates Confraternity had grown from one deck in Ibadan to 60 decks spread across five continents and many countries including South Africa, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and across Europe.
“It is therefore fitting that the theme of our platinum anniversary: ‘70 Years of Service to Humanity’ is a reflective encapsulation of our modest contribution to humanity”
Tracing the history of the association, he recalled the chivalry of seven passionate young and patriotic Nigerian undergraduates, namely – Wole Soyinka, Ralph Opara, Nathaniel Oyelola, Pius Oleghe, Olumuyiwa Awe, Ikpehare Aig-Imoukhuede and Slyvanus Egbuche, at the University College Ibadan, who, seventy years ago “took a giant revolutionary leap towards greatness and etched their names in the sands of time by standing up to obnoxious conventions to form the Pyrates Confraternity”
“In 1952, when the Pyrates Confraternity was formed, its fundamental ethos was not just limited to fighting for the oppressed, speaking for the deprived, and resolving myriad injustices in the march towards the attainment of a just and egalitarian society, it was a trailblazing initiative by these seven undergraduates, which restored dignity, confidence, and an enduring sense of worth and justice to a large segment of Nigeria's population in those heady days of colonial subjugation.
The Capoon said the association had in its 70 years of existence contributed significantly to national development in Nigeria by words and deeds.
“It was our organisation in 1986 through a painstaking investigation wholly undertaken by our members that uncovered the pervasive corruption that had bedevilled operations at the Lagos/Ibadan expressway tollgate. One of the recommendations of that investigation was the privatisation of the toll gates but this was not implemented until many years later.
“In 1988 when the Federal Government established the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) patterned after the noble example of the Oyo State Road Safety Corps, and appointed Prof Wole Soyinka as the Corps Marshall, our members for love of country, selflessly offered themselves as the fulcrum upon which the organisation was forged. They laid a veritable foundation for discipline, firmness, integrity and an enviable commitment to humanitarian service turning it into a formidable paramilitary agency. Indeed Nigerians would attest to the fact that the FRSC in its heyday was devoid of the corruption and the underhand shenanigans associated with its sister agencies. The FRSC of those days drastically brought down the level of carnage on our roads and highways, and instilled attitudinal change in motorists”
The story for the struggle of democracy in Nigeria, he said, would be incomplete without recognising the patriotic contributions of the Pyrates Confraternity towards the restoration of democratic governance. “Though a major part of that story remains as yet untold, our members in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom provided support in all ramifications for pro-democracy movements.
“We were at the fore-front of the struggle to end dictatorship in Nigeria and some of our members had to seek refuge outside the country to escape from the agents of the military junta. Many still bear the psychological and physical scars of that unforgettable episode of unbridled state-sponsored terror in Nigeria.
On the global stage, Owoade recalled the association’s participation to draw the world's attention to the Darfur crisis in partnership with Aegis Trust earned us commendation by the United Nations.
“Also in the United States, our organisation received a proclamation by Mayor Ron V. Dellums of the City of Oakland, California State which designated February 14 as National Association of Seadogs Day in recognition of our contributions to the society”
He listed other contributions to include support for the poor and vulnerable segment of the society, and the special NAS Charity Red Balls in Nigeria and abroad dedicated to raise funds to reach as many vulnerable persons as possible and offer humanitarian services to rekindle hope in humanity.
He said as an organisation that prides itself in intellectual prowess, it had used its intellectual platforms namely, Wole Soyinka Lecture Series, Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture and Wole Soyinka Digital Town Hall to advance the much needed advocacy for good governance, economic development, transparency and accountability, justice, electoral reforms and democratic progress on behalf of Nigerians.
“These intellectual platforms have attracted world leaders, academics, human rights activists and captains of industry and other resource persons in our bid to galvanise Nigerians to continue pushing for a better country”
He however expressed the concern of the association to the nation’s unwholesome educational system, especially the lingering ASUU-government’s face-off that has kept the public universities closed for months.
According to him, the founding members of Pyrates Confraternity benefitted immensely from the good quality education on offer in Nigeria at that time. Many of our members who have gone on to excel in their chosen careers and made the country proud both home and abroad had their university education in Nigeria.
“We are however saddened by the sorry state of education in our tertiary institutions especially Nigerian universities. It is scandalous that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would have to embark on a strike to prevent a total collapse of the public university system.
“Successive governments in Nigeria have habitually treated education with the same rankling levity that we are all witnessing today. This unfortunate state of affairs imperils the very future of an entire generation of young people. It beggars belief that a government can be so indifferent to what becomes of a largely youthful demography that is the most populous in the continent.
He observed that the Federal Government had not been able to stop the massive leakage of funds meant for development and “does not blink an eyelid while funding the profligate lifestyle of its officials, now finds it difficult to devote funds to run public universities”
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