70th Anniversary and A Weekend of Service to Humanity: Commemorating the Founding Principles of the Pyrates Confraternity
In line with the set objectives of the 70th Anniversary of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), we are pleased to announce a programme of activities scheduled as part of the year long commemoration of the 70th anniversary.
Weekend of Service to Humanity
The activities kick off with the “Weekend of Service to Humanity” in alignment with the theme of the Platinum Jubilee: 70 Years of Service to Humanity. The weekend will be observed between Friday, December 9th, 2022 and Sunday, December 11th across five continents of Africa, America, Australia, Asia and Europe by our members in 60 Decks (chapters). This activity entails members embarking on community projects and events with a dedicated focus specifically on the four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Pyrates are strategically passionate about championing.
In preparation towards this worthy weekend, members in their various Decks will be carrying out projects of localised and community benefit anchored on the association’s thematic focus on the following United Nations SDGs:
- SDG3 – Good Health/Wellbeing
- SDG4 – Quality Education
- SDG10 – Reduced Inequalities
- SDG16 – Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
This three-day event aims to demonstrate practical steps towards attaining a just society, a core founding principle of the Pyrates Confraternity. Since 1952 when Prof Wole Soyinka and his friends in the University College Ibadan founded the confraternity, it has remained an organisational philosophy that “wherever the community of man needs a helping hand, in whatever cause or struggle, to enthrone this principle, the Pyrate must be first”.
Investigative Report on the State of Nigerian Embassies and Consulates
In addition to the 60 projects and events in service to community and humanity, on Friday, 9th December 2022, the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) will be presenting, at a public event in Abuja, a special report on the State of Nigerian Embassies and Consulates. This investigative report, independently funded by the Pyrates Confraternity, will be unveiled at a ceremony that will have in attendance officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the Diplomatic Corps, the National Assembly, the media and other relevant stakeholders. The report identified the age-old difficulties that Nigerians experience with consular services abroad. One of the expected outcomes is to provoke conversations that would reshape the operational efficiency of Nigerian Foreign Missions. With this, our embassies and consulates could deliver representation that citizens require, deserve and will be proud of being Nigerians.
Special Citizens’ Summit – 70th Anniversary Lecture
On the following day, Saturday, 10th December 2022, the Prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, will deliver the 70th Anniversary Lecture at a special Citizens’ Summit that will be held at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, by 10 am.
The Citizens Summit, an advocacy programme of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), is aimed at advocating for a purposeful democratic election as a critical first-step solution in effectively challenging the ills militating against the attainment of the full potential of Nigeria. Since 2012, the Citizens’ Summit has championed the sustenance of democracy through active and informed citizen participation, which is critical for national development. As an organisation committed to attaining a just society and enhancing democratic ideals, we have held a series of lectures over the years to provide awareness about voter education and citizenship.
Our various Citizens’ Summits, through the Wole Soyinka Lecture, Ralph Opara Lecture Series and the WS Digital Town Hall, have had notable keynote speakers like Ambassador Robin Sanders (Former US Ambassador to Nigeria), Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (Rtd), Chief Rotimi Williams, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Dr Ibrahim Ayagi, Prof Chidi Odinkalu to mention a few.
This Citizens’ Summit commemorates the 70th Anniversary of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity). Additionally, it sets out to dissect Nigeria’s deplorable condition and to articulate strategies that can potentially salvage the country from the widespread insecurity, poverty, endemic corruption and the many issues undermining its stability.
The event will review the nation’s state and propose strategies that would lead to a future where the potential of Nigeria can translate into a reality of progress and prosperity. With the 2023 General Elections approaching and the desperate state of the nation, we plan to leverage our 70th Anniversary for agenda-setting to drive soul-searching and proactive action towards deliberate nation-building.
The choice of Cardinal Onaiyekan as the keynote speaker for the 70th Anniversary Citizens’ Summit is purposeful. His contributions to nation-building, variously as President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop of Abuja and currently Prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, have been profoundly outstanding. The Prelate’s thought-provoking homilies and well-researched lectures stir the consciences of the political leadership, challenging citizens towards good governance, respect for democratic principles and peaceful co-existence. As the keynote speaker, and at this critical time in our nation’s history, we are confident His Eminence will inspire and galvanise Nigerians towards the personal responsibility and diligence necessary to bring about Nigeria’s recovery.
We are optimistic that this special edition of the Citizens Summit will attract political leaders, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the intelligence community, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders.
Signed
Abiola Owoaje
NAS Capoon
