Whenever the society needs a hand, the Pyrate must be the first.
National Association of Seadogs(NAS) marks her 70th anniversary, with the Weekend of Service to Humanity as part of the commemorative activities.
Today, Friday, 9th December, 2022, ushers in a weekend especially designated for enactment of the humanistic ideals entrenched by the founding fathers since 1952.
In line with the NAS Capoon’s vision and our statute books, all 60 Decks globally are involved with the Weekend of Service to Humanity.
Our basic focus in Benbow Deck is to live the Pyrate in us by working towards attaining a Just Society. We are joining hands with other Pyrates globally to deliver necessary intervention for the relieve of society from various condition which deter meaningful living.
Today, Friday, 9th December, 2022, the Pyrates Confraternity worldwide take a stand against the conditions militating against the attainment of an egalitarian society.
Ours, the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) which was founded in 1952 by Wole Soyinka, Ralph Opara, Nathaniel Oyelola, Pius Oleghe, Olumuyiwa Awe, Ikpehare Aig-Imoukhuede and Sylvanus Egbuche, remains a watershed in history.
This three-day event with the theme “Weekend of Service to Humanity” is in consonance with the platinum jubilee’s theme; “70 Years of Service to Humanity”.
In demonstrating the 4/7 creed of our Confraternity, with particular reference
to the “All before Self” rudder blade which place others at the centre of our activities for Humanistic Ideals, the Benbow Deck is embarking on two of the Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4 to address:
- Healthcare and wellbeing by carrying out free medical outreach at Obenevbeubo rural community, which is without a hospital or health centre here in Edo State
- To support quality education by donating a few branded note books to school pupils of a public Primary School within Benin City, Edo State.
It is worthy of note too that over the years Benbow Deck has been involved with several NAS projects as part of our service to humanity, including but not limited to regular free medical outreaches, sponsorship of free surgery, good governance advocacy “Our votes count”, scholarship programs, emergency relief response service in disaster situations; helping flood victims with relief material e.t.c
Since 1952, NAS contribution to national development through various advocacy and humanitarian projects has inspired hope in communities across five continents. Succinctly put by the NAS Capoon, “the many beneficiaries of the over 50 NAS Medical Missions since 2010, mainly disadvantaged and living in rural communities, are evidence of the far-reaching interventions we introduced in the health sector.”
For us as a Deck of the NAS International, a lot is yet to be done for humanity. But we shall continue to strive to “act ova yap”, and this “Weekend of Service to Humanity” provides us the avenue to demonstrate further who we are and what we stand for.
“Wherever the community of man needs a helping hand, the PYRATE must be the first.” It is on this note that I thank everyone who made today possible.
#WeekendofServicetoHumanity
#NASCAPat70
Dr. Chris Ekiyor,
Capoon
Benin City Metropolitan Branch, Edo State
