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By Adewale Sanyaolu
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as Pyrates Confraternity, has unveiled its anniversary logo and theme to commemorate its 70th anniversary.
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.
The NAS Capoon 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 hinted, 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.
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 Slyvanus 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 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,”
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,”.
He pointed out that in its 70 years of existence, the group has contributed significantly to national development in Nigeria by words and deeds.
He revealed that it was the 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.
According to him, one of the recommendations of that investigation was the privatisation of the toll gates but this was not implemented until many years later.
He added that 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, the 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.”
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He pointed out that the story for the struggle of democracy in Nigeria will 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.
“Our support for the poor and vulnerable segment of the society is considerable. We have held 50 free medical missions since the inception of the NAS Medical Mission in 2010. These free medical missions held successfully across Nigeria were specifically targeted at rural communities to bridge the gap of inadequate health care delivery and bring succour to many disadvantaged Nigerians.
“Through “Our Votes Count” and “Citizens Summit”, a mass enlightenment programme that employed the Ushahidi crowd mapping technology to report on general elections across Nigeria, we have been able to be accredited twice as Independent Monitors by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission. Through this initiative, we supported accountability through encouraging citizens’ participation in elections and governance by promoting the power of the ballot, and the attendant responsibility of holding elected officials accountable.’
