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By Adewale Sanyaolu
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) also known as Pyrates Confraternity, yesterday, unveiled its anniversary logo and theme to commemorate its 70 years of creation. In his address at the unveiling, the NAS Capoon, Mr. Abiola Owoaje, said the theme: ‘70 years of Service to Humanity’ resonates with the ideals of the organisation.
He said the unveiling of the 70th anniversary logo /theme officially kicks off the celebration, which will run for the next couple of months.
Many activities, he said, have been lined up to showcase the nobility of the organisation, its enduring ethos and its continued quest to create a just society in Nigeria.
Going down memory lane, Owoaje disclosed that 70 years ago, seven passionate young and patriotic Nigerian undergraduates, namely – Wole Soyinka, Ralph Opara, Nathaniel Oyelola, Pius Oleghe, Olumuyiwa Awe, Ikpehare Aig-Imoukhuede and Sylvanus Egbuche, at the University College Ibadan, now University of Ibadan, 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.
He explained further that 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 of injustices in the march towards the attainment of a just and egalitarian society.
‘’Certainly, 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,” he said.
Over the years, and from one deck in Ibadan, Owoaje said Pyrates Confraternity has grown 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,” Owoaje stated.
