Members of the association were a major part of the pro-democracy movements that fought for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria
The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) on Friday unveiled the logo of its 70th anniversary celebration, vowing to galvanise Nigerians to demand for free, fair and credible elections in 2023.
Pyrates Confraternity was formed in 1952 at the University College, Ibadan; now the University of Ibadan by seven young Nigerians; Wole Soyinka, Ralph Opara, Nathaniel Oyelola, Pius Oleghe, Olumuyiwa Awe, Ikpehare Aig-Imoukhuede and Sylvanus Egbuche.
The NAS Capoon, Abiola Owoaje, who performed the unveiling ceremony in Lagos, flanked by the NAS Scribe, Uchenna Nnoli, a member of the Board of Trustees/ Tortuga-in-Council, Prof Olatunde Makanju, and Secretary, Tortuga-in- Council, Jobi Taiwo, and a member of Tortuga, Steven Akhigbemidu, stated that the theme of the 70th anniversary celebration was “70 Years of Service to Humanity.”
Reeling out the achievements of the Pyrates Confraternity including the exposure of “pervasive corruption” at the then Lagos/ Ibadan Toll Gate to laying the foundation for the take-off of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in its heyday, Owoaje said members of the association were a major part of the pro-democracy movements that fought for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria of which many of its members ”still bear the psychological and physical scars of that unforgettable episode of unbridled state-sponsored terror in Nigeria.”
While disclosing that the activities of the organisation in drawing attention to the plight of the people in Darfur and laudable efforts in City of Oakland had attracted applause from the United Nations and State of California representatively, he said it had held 50 free medical missions since 2010 for vulnerable Nigerians in rural areas to bridge the gap of inadequate health care delivery and bring succour to many disadvantaged Nigerians.
Owoaje, who further explained that nine NAS Charity Redballs, had been held to raise funds for humanitarian endeavours.
He stated that its intellectual platforms such as Wole Soyinka Lecture Series, Ralph Opara Memorial lecture and Wole Soyinka Digital Town Hall were being used to advance the much needed advocacy for good governance, economic development, transparency and accountability, justice, electoral reforms and democratic progress on behalf of Nigerians.
“The unveiling of the 70th anniversary of the logo /theme officially kicks off our celebration which will run for the next couple of months. Many activities have been lined up to showcase the nobility of our organisation, its enduring ethos and our continued quest to create a just society in Nigeria.
“As we celebrate, we shall also use the period, especially as we inch closer to the 2023 elections to continue our 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.”