Professor Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian Nobel laureate in literature. He and six others called the “Original Seven” founded the Pyrates Confraternity at the University College, Ibadan, Nigeria, now the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1952, that is 70 years ago. It was founded basically to drum up support for human rights and social justice in Nigeria hence its motto is “Against all moribund conventions.”
It seeks to eliminate class privilege and elitism, especially among students of middle-class upbringing and colonial colouration.
Some forty-five years ago, members adorned in their colourful regalia used to hold their outings on top of the platform at Trenchard Hall at the University of Ibadan to the admiration of students and other members of the University community.
During Students Union elections, this organization used to support the presidential candidate that had the best manifestoes
that would favour the generality of students. They had a newsletter where their strong opinions about topical issues on the campus were expressed objectively and students who were notorious in certain aspects of their lifestyles were caricatured.
Some of their noble contributions to social values included mending bad roads within the campus and in front of the University’s gate.
Its members also used to donate blood at the blood bank of the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Contrary to uninformed opinions, the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as the Pyrates Confraternity, is a Nigerian charitable and humanitarian organization.
It still thrives in Nigeria today,
expressing its stand against all forms of injustice in our society in some national dailies on a fairly regular basis and its members hold key positions in government and private sectors within and outside Nigeria.
But today, many other confraternities have emerged in our tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Their activities are tangential to those of the original founding fathers of the first confraternity in a tertiary institution in Nigeria.
Their members are now into many types of drug abuse.
They are armed with all sorts of dangerous weapons when attending their meetings.
Reports of deadly clashes between cult members have become a regular feature in many newspapers.
A return to the original purpose for which the organization was founded is highly desirable.
This will nurture responsible youths who can become great leaders of our country tomorrow.
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