Supreme Pyrates Colloquium SPC (Annual General Meeting)...Supreme Pyrates Colloquium SPC (Annual General Meeting) Abakaliki, Ebonyi State 31st July - 3rd August 2014. 2 NAS Annual

1NAS Annual Report

Annual Report 2013 - 2014

Supreme Pyrates Colloquium SPC(Annual General Meeting)

Abakaliki, Ebonyi State31st July - 3rd August 2014

2 3NAS Annual Report NAS Annual Report

Ahoy Ship mates! When in 2012, I was elected to steer the ship of our great Confraternity as the 15th NAS Cap’n, it was expected that the trust and confidence reposed in me was not

going to be mortgaged no matter the circumstances. Two years after, I am indeed confident to report that together with members of the NAS Executive Council, we have reasonably discharged the mandate and the responsibilities of our various offices to the best of our abilities. We trust that our best has met the expectations of the Flagship.

Through careful planning, strategic thinking and dogged commitment, we have repositioned the Confraternity both internally and externally. Most importantly, our “License to Operate” has been strengthened and we have become a stronger organisation. We have instilled structure, framework and process to our external programmes, allowing us to become more adept in how we manage and execute these programmes. Redefining and Consolidating the Office of the NAS Second Mate as Chief Programmes Officer for the Association has provided us with a central coordinating office for all our programmes and events, making it possible to develop knowledge management capacity for programmes and events.

Our focus on the 3rd Compass Point, ‘For Humanistic Ideals’ has been elevated with major strides accomplished with the NAS Street Child Project and NAS Free Medical Missions. Just recently, on Saturday July 26, 2014, I commissioned for use the following projects built and donated by NAS: Soft Play Area for Children at the Children’s Ward of Warri Central Hospital; Reading Room and Soft Play Area for physically challenged children at St. Anne’s Catholic Orphanage, Warri and also at the Orosanye Orphanage in Benin.

Similar projects have been approved and work commenced at the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other related Matters (NAPTIP), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative (SCCWI), Yaba, Lagos State and Child Life Line, Gbagada, Lagos. In addition a bus has been purchased for donation to Child Life Line, Lagos.

I say a mighty ahoy to seadogs of Area Zero (Europe decks) whose act over yap determination has helped boost the work of the association in supporting various Street Child projects in Nigeria. The team lead by Muyiwa Ilori (Area Mate 0) and Dr. Adedapo Sikuade (Coordinator of the Street Child Project in Europe) have done well. Similarly, I commend Jude Ojukoko and the seadogs of

Aspire TO INSPIRECOMMUNiTY

OUTREACHRainbow Deck Warri for the brainwave of the creative soft play area for children. You have made a key difference to this project. There is so much work still to be done. And we can march forth ready and inspired.

The Free Medical Mission since being restructured and repackaged in 2012 has impacted on many Nigerians across the country. An interesting experience occurred when during our mission to Bakassi Local Government in February 2014, one of the pregnant patients was delivered of a baby by our Medical Mission doctors. We are grateful to RAHI Medical Outreach, our partners since November 2013 for their strong support for this programme.

In July 2014, we achieved multiple collaboration between

1. Ide Owodiong-Idemeko, NAS Cap’n

with the Executive Governor of Ogun

State, Ibikunle Amosun, during a

courtesy visit. With him is Mr. Tola

Obembe (Member of TiC).

2. Presenting a plaque to the

Assistant Inspector-General of Police,

Kasimu Argungu, AIG Zone 5, Benin, Edo

State

3. NAS Cap’n receiving a plaque

from Governor Ibikunle Amosun

5. Seated from right to left, Ide Owodiong-Idemeko (NAS Capn), Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo (Alake of Egbaland), Chiemeka Ozumba (NAS Second Mate).Standing (Left)Yemi Akintunde and Uwe Onyile

6. Mr Owodiong-Idemeko at a radio station in Abakaliki

2

5

3

6

1

4

4. NAS Cap’n with Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Erediauwa, CFR, Oba Of Benin, during a courtesy visit


the Ogun State Ministry of Health, Evans Medical Plc and Dabak Nigeria Limited during our mission to Isara, Ogun State, as part of activities marking the 80th birthday celebration of our Founder and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka. The Ogun State Ministry of Health provided the venue (State Hospital Isara) as well as staff and facilities, while Evans Medical and Dabak Nigeria Limited provided some drugs. We look forward to future collaborations with individuals and corporate organisations interested in this piece of humanitarian work.

Our advocacy objectives were given impetus with the impactful global campaign we mounted with the ‘Save Bakassi March’ in October 2012, as well as, several press releases, articles and commentaries made on topical national issues in national dailies and social media. We explored the problem of emerging “Terrorism, Insecurity and Irredentist Movements” as “Challenges for Nation-Building in Nigeria” during the 7th Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture which took place on 2nd November 2012 at the Conference Center, Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State. The erudite Dr. Sam Amadi, Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) lead the discussion.

At the 16th Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday 12th July, 2013, focus was turned on the problem of “Ethical Deficit, Corruption and the Challenges of Nation Building in 21st Century Nigeria.” The Guest Speaker for that event was no less a person than, Ekpo Nta, Esq, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

On Friday November 1, 2013 during the 8th Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture held in Abuja, Nigeria, we again beamed our searchlight on another social problem facing the country; the malaise of out of school children. This time Dr. Hussaini Abdu, Country Director of Action Aid was the guest speaker and he tackled the topic, “Taking the Nigerian Child off the Streets: The Impact of Corruption on Achieving Universal Primary Education (the 2nd Millennium Development Goal)”.

On 15th April, 2014 we joined other Nigerians to ensure the voice of many voiceless Nigerians was heard. We submitted a detailed memorandum to the National Conference in which we reaffirmed our stand on the unity and oneness of the Nigerian nation-state. We followed this up at the 17th Wole Soyinka Lecture Series with a discussion on the topic, “This House Must Not Fall: Renegotiating Nigeria’s Social Contract after 100 Years of Nationhood” seeking answers to the question “What happened to the COUNTRY that held so much promise on that morning of October 1, 1960?”

I must not fail to mention the publication of The Adventures of Captain Blud, which is a cartoon comic series that tells the life and adventures of Professor Wole Soyinka in a simple illustrated format. In the publication, currently receiving rave reviews in national dailies, Soyinka whose sobriquet in our confraternity is Captain Blud (taking after Raphael Sabatini’s 1922

NAs EXECUTIvE COUNCIL

book, Captain Blood) is presented as role model for the younger generation and the ultimate nemesis for all that is malevolent within Nigeria.

The increased levels and scope of activity across the flagship naturally, comes with increased costs and pressures on the financial resources of our organisation. To ensure that this is sustainable into the future, a strategic media action plan was adopted with the objective of enhancing our capacity to create awareness about our programmes, as well as attract and secure the collaboration and support of funding agencies, especially for our flagship projects.

To this end, we have rebranded the NAS Flagship Projects and now have a dedicated website for the Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture Series and the NAS Medical Mission. We have strengthened our web and social media engagement. The NAS Facebook page alone has achieved a diversity of viewership that cuts across 45 Countries and 11 Languages. Over 1,700,989 stories have been created for the period in review. This is a tip of the iceberg in terms of potential; these are statistics we hope to leverage on our social advocacy and humanistic projects.

Of course, all the achievements listed above would not have been possible without the dedication and sense of purpose shown by the Seadogs who have worked alongside me, either as Officers of the NAS Executive Council, Chairmen or members of Working Committees. They have been wonderful, pushing and pulling together to ensure we delivered programmes and events in line with the objectives of my tenure. For this, I am deeply grateful and consider myself blessed to find this quality of Seadogs in our Confraternity. The Cap’ns and seadogs across the flagship have shown an increased and important dedication toward the of the objective of the organisation.

As I recently learnt, there is a Japanese saying that literally means, “In continuing, there is strength.” It is thus, with great pride and pleasure that I welcome Ifeanyi Onochie, my First Mate, into the Office of NAS Cap’n for the 2014-2016 Pyratical Year. He worked with me for two years and experienced first-hand, the rewards of our careful planning, strategic thinking and dogged commitment to the successes we achieved together. I have confidence in his astuteness and I rest, assured that he will continue in similar stead and surpass what we have achieved thus far.

It is my hope and expectation that this Annual Report will “Inspire” all Seadogs to “Aspire” to do more for humanity as we have all foresworn. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to serve the Armada of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) in the highest Office as NAS Cap’n.

Ide Owodiong-Idemeko NAS Capn, 2012 - 2014

1. Ide Owodiong-Idemeko - NAS Cap’n (International President)

2. Prince Ifeanyi Onochie - NAS First Mate (International Deputy President)

3. Chiemaka Ozumba - NAS Second Mate 2nd International Deputy President)

4. Assy David Assy - NAS Scribe (Secretary General)

5. Richard Ekanem - NAS High Priest (Director, Social & Events)

6. Muyiwa Ilori - Area Mate 0 (Western & Central Europe)

7. Dele Jemirade - Area Mate 01 (New York, Toronto & Calgary)

8. Barrister Larry Johnson - Area Mate 02 (Texas, Washington, Maryland, Georgia)

9. Emeka Nwachie - Area Mate 03 (California, Japan, Australia)

10. Prof. Eno Ebenso - Area Mate 04 (South Africa)

11. Gbenga James Akintola - Area Mate 1 (Lagos State)

12. Dr. Remi Medupin - Area Mate 2 (Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Osun States)

13. Dr. Ifeanyi Igweagu - Area Mate 3 (Edo, Ondo, Ekiti States)

14. Chief Emmanuel Dufegha - Area Mate 4 (Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Abia States)

15. Daniel Ebri - Area Mate 5 (Cross River & Benue States)

16. Onyekachi Elechi - Area Mate 6 (Asaba in Delta State, Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States)

17. Ken Enwefah - Area Mate 7 (Delta State excluding Asaba)

18. Barr. Ekanem Essien - Area Mate 8 (Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Borno, Nassarawa, Abuja)

19. Abel Abimbola - NAS Fingers Mate (Treasurer and Chief Finance Officer)

20. Uzo Ifeajika - NAS Audit Pyrate (Chief Internal Auditor)

21. Barr. Emma Gbahabo - NAS Balance Mate (Director, Legal Affairs and Chief Legal Officer)

22. John Ulu Oke - NAS Booksaylor (Director, Media and Public Relations)

23. Dr. Ken Okoro - NAS Medical Pyrate (Chief Medical Officer)

24. Barr. Paul Itua - NAS Welfare Mate (Chief Welfare & Empowerment Officer)

25. Dr. Ofem Enang - NAS Scribe II (Assistant Secretary General)

26. Dotun Adepoju - NAS Fingers Mate II (Assistant Treasurer and Chief Finance Officer, Overseas Chapters)

27. Barr. Larry Boje - NAS Balance Mate II (Assistant Director, Legal Affairs and Chief Legal Officer, Overseas Chapters)

28. Barr. Babs Ogunrin - NAS Booksaylor II (Assistant Director, Internal Communications & Social Media)

29. Ekpotu Andrew Uquang - NAS Red Scorpion (Seargent-at-Arms and Chief Security Officer)

30. Barr. Arthur Boje - NAS Mascot (Executive Assistant to the NAS Cap’n)


NAs Free MEDICAL MISSION A quarterly event with a vision to reach a significant population of indigent Nigerians needing medical help in specifically targeted rural communities. The objectives also include health education awareness.

The medical mission features medical and dental consultation/ treatment, Hypertension and Diabetic screening as well as blood donation and HIv screening. The treatments offered are on the spot and mainly cover non-referral ailments. Patients diagnosed of more serious ailments or that require in-patient care are referred to an appropriate Medical Centre.

Community centres, village halls, hospitals and health centres are used as venue for the free medical mission. This ensures that the services gets to the grassroots. Traditional rulers and village councils are involved.

National Association of Seadogs largely funds the free medical mission through the annual subscription and donation by its members in 55 decks spread across the world. Members also volunteer their professional services: doctors, nurses, lab technicians, dentists, oculists, etc.

The relevance of free medical missions in an environment where over 70% of the population who live in poverty pay their medical bills from their pockets cannot be over-emphasized.

2263 Patients

9 Missions

8 States & FCT

14 Communities


serviCe pArTNersThese organisations have variously supported and collaborated with NAS on the Free Medical Missions:

Rahi Medical Outreach Ser-vicesOgun State Ministry of HealthEvans Medical PLCDABAK Nig. Ltd

OFFOT, UYO

11th July 2013

- 162 patients seen. - 90 glasses dispensed. - 100 HIv screening - 7 pints of blood donated

Ogbe-ijAw, wArri

1st November 2012

- 200 patients seen. - 66 glasses dispensed.

AwKA

3rd May 2013

- 184 patients seen. - 80 glasses dispensed.

iKANg, bAKAssi

31st January 2014

- 240 patients seen. - 93 screened for Diabetes Mellitus - 85 screened for HIv - 30 received oral hygiene instructions - 18 received tooth extractions - 59 received reading glasses - 1 Baby delivered.

isArA, OgUN

July 10, 2014

- 557 patients seen. - 69 received reading glasses.

iTeM-AMAgU iKwO LgA

1st August 2014

- 231 patients seen. - 42 reading glasses - 64 Insecticide treated Mosquito nets - 20 Blankets distributed - 20 Dental cases - 12 Tooth extractions

ALAde MArKeT, iKejA

31st January 2013

- 239 patients seen. - 64 received reading glasses.

jiwA, AbUjA

31st October 2013

- 250 patients seen. - 154 screened for Diabetes Mellitus - 83 eye examinations. - 37 glasses dispensed.

UKhiri, beNiN

2nd May 2014

- 200 patients seen. - 29 glasses dispensed. - 12 received tooth extractions 120 volunteers

582 EYE CARE

185 HIV SCREENING

80 DENTAL CARE

247 DIABETES SCREENING

1 BABY DELIVERED


NAs sTreeT CHILD PROJECT The Europe decks in United Kingdom, Ireland and The Netherlands have played a significant role in the NAS Street Child Project. They presented the proposal for the organisation to take up the project.

Last year, it was the shocking facts and statistics about child education in Nigeria from UNESCO and UNICEF together that compelled us to get involved in the Street Child project. 61 million children of primary school age are not in school worldwide.

•10.5 million of these are Nigerian children.•40% of Nigerian children aged 6-11 do not attend any

primary school.•30% of pupils drop out of primary school.•Only 54% transit to Junior Secondary Schools.

We are convinced that Street Children in Nigeria represent a significant part of this statistics. Many of these children are orphaned, underprivileged, abused, abandoned; scrounging & suffering and exposed to criminal gangs on the streets of Nigeria.

Our two pronged strategy was to support NGOs tackling the issue while also supporting selected orphanages. Reason being that without the orphanages, it is very likely the children will end up on the streets.

The National Modular Child Labour Survey 2000 and 2001 reported approximately 15 million children working in Nigeria. Of these, more than 10.million were not attending school.UNICEF May 2013

2STREET CHILDNGOs

2 ORPHANAGES

8 PROJECTS PICTURE COURTESY OF CHILD LIFE LINE LAGOS, NIGERIA.

4 STATES


Child Life-Line (“CLL”) is a non-profit, charitable association funded entirely by voluntary donations from individuals and organisations. It was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Abuja and issued with the Certificate of Registration number 9289 on the 27th March, 1996.

Child Life-Line (CLL) was founded in 1994 by Mrs. Marion Sikuade, when a survey undertaken by the National Commission for Mass Literacy for World Bank revealed that there were many out-of-school children who were subsisting in the streets of Lagos and not in their own homes. This was confirmed when, in 1995, with funding from UNESCO, CLL in partnership with the National Commission for Mass Literacy carried out a Survey of Street Children in Lagos, interviewing over 630 street children, 20% of who were girls.

Contact details: 8 Lateef Onigemo Street, Ifako-Gbagada, Lagos Email: [email protected] Telephone: +234 (0)803 537 6367

STREET CHILD CARE & WELFARE INITIATIVE, YABA, LAGOS Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative (SCCWI) was founded in 2008 to help street children in Lagos. It is a centre of rehabilitation to take care of 25 “street boys” aged from 8 to 15 years. SCCWI focus is protect them from dangers of the streets and give them the opportunity to go to school..

ST. ANNES CATHOLIC ORPHANAGE, WARRI Established in 1982 and founded by Rotary Club of Warri, Delta State, St Anne’s Orphanage is part of Mother of the Redeemer Parish, Catholic Diocese of Warri.

OROSANYE ORPHANAGE, BENIN Founded in 1951 by Princess Catherine Aiyemekpen Oronsaye of the Benin royal family. Over 1000 children have passed through the orphanage.

Area Zero (5 Europe decks in UK, Ireland and The Netherlands) donated a generator for use at the Gbagada Centre..

Lifebikers rode 4000km across Europe London - Rome - London and RAISED: N1,000,000.00

Toyota Hiace Bus purchased to be donated in August 2014. Funds raised at the 3rd NAS Charity Red Ball Uyo in July 2014.

Design and planning stage for renovation and re-equipping of Library/ICT Centre at Ibeshe Centre.

Design and planning stage for creative educational utility space at Gbagada Reception Centre.

Our Support:

Library and a creative play area at the Warri

Orphanage.Commissioned.

Library and a creative play area at the Benin

Orphanage. Commissioned.

L-R: Prof Jude Orosanye, Dr. Ifeanyi Igweagu, Ide Owodiong-Idemeko (NAS Capn) & Princess Catherine Orosanye with the

children at the commissioning.

Mr Tola Obembe and Abiola Owoaje of the Life Bikers and members of Panama Deck, Ikeja presenting the cheque to Mrs Sally Udoma (2nd from right) President of Child Life Line, Lagos.

L-R: Ide Owodiong-Idemeko (NAS Capn), Rev. Sister in Charge of St Anne’s Orphanage and Jude Ojukoko (Capn of

Rainbow Deck), at the commissioning.

Our Support:

CHILD LIFE LINE, LAGOS

Design and planning stage for renovation and re-equipping of

Library/ICT Centre at Yaba Centre.


ST ANNE’S CATHOLIC ORPHANAGE, WARRI COMMISSIONING.

ORASANYE ORPHANAGE, BENIN PROJECT COMMISSIONING.

COMMISSIONING OF CREATIvE PLAY ROOM AT CENTRAL HOSPITAL, WARRI.

COMMISSIONING OF CREATIvE PLAY ROOM AT CENTRAL HOSPITAL, WARRI.

From left: Mrs Obere (PRO), Dr. Ralph Onyemekeihia (Consultant Physician/Acting MD), Mrs Unuafe (Matron), Jude Ojuko (Capn Rainbow Deck Warri), Ide Owodiong-Idemeko (NAS Capn), Dr Chukwuma (Consultant/HOD Paediatrics), Mrs Jero E (Hospital Matron), Dr. Paul Okubor (Consultant Obstetrics/

Gynaecology), Mrs Ubebe (Senior Hospital Administrator), Mrs Johnson (Hospital Administrator), Mrs Itevwogbiku Christy (Records Clerk), Miss Amah Beatrice (Health Assistant Mrs Akparabore (Matron), Chiemeka Ozumba (NAS Second Mate)

Dr. Ralph Onyemekeihia - Consultant Physician and Acting MD,

NAS Cap’n with Dr Chukwuma (Consultant/HOD Paediatrics),


M a t e l o t e M e r i -

17Th wOLe sOYiNKA ANNUAL LECTURE National unity and integration are at the heart of our organization. And the theme was chosen after careful consideration of the following:

• That after 100 years of existence and over $600bn in revenue, the greatness of Nigeria is still referenced to in terms of potential and not commensurate and tangible achievements.

• That the current socio-political culture in the country is not working as it encourages waste, corruption, mediocrity and stifles healthy competition and economic development.

• The recently convened National Conference may be another talk-shop of why Nigeria continues to fail. We believe it is vital as a nation for us to broaden, as well as deepen the colloquy in seeking answers to your compelling question: “What happened to the COUNTRY that held so much promise on that morning of October 1, 1960?”.

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili was eminently informed, motivated and with the requisite integrity to speak insightfully on the theme, as one who has “fiercely contended with the ills of corruption and its contribution to underdevelopment”. Additionally, we considered her indubitable “zeal for candour”, essential for the reversal of the continued degeneration of Nigeria.

Bishop Kukah delivered an interesting lecture titled: Wole Soyinka: 80 Years of Genius & Prophetic Outrage.

General Gowon and Soyinka reunited over 40 years after Gowon’s government jailed Wole Soyinka for his activism and condemnation of the governments stance on Biafra as well as the pogrom.

Theme: This House Must Not Fall. Renegotiating Nigeria’s Social Contract.

Date: 11th July 2014

Venue: June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Guests at lecture included:

1. General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, Former Nigeria’s Head of State

2. HE Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ogun State.

3. His Majesty, Oba Aremu Gbadebo III, The Alake of Egbaland

4. Most Rev Mathew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto Diocese

5. Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Co-Founder Transparency International L-R: Bishop Kukah

and Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo,

Alake of Egbaland Prof Soyinka and Gen. Gowon, who jailed him during the Biafra crisis, in a historic embrace decades after.Read all the lectures at: www.wolesoyinkalecture.org


ability of our younger generations of Nigerians to do it better and well. I was born exactly 20 years after Nigeria was officially born, amalgamated; I readily accepted the fact that the country is an accident of (colonial) history, just as all nations on earth are products of one accident of history or the other, either through conquests or amalgamation. We need not quibble over this fact. I am a proud Nigerian; I know of just one Nigerian nation made up of, according to the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) research, over 500 linguistic groups, not the 250 that was previously believed. I grew up in an era in which it never mattered that one was Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba, Kanuri, Nngas (Angas), Zuru, Beni, Ijaw etc., we all were brothers; we only were competitors in class/academics or in the field of sports. Colonialism made us believe we were one until our political leaders/forefathers began the clamour for Independence.

We are the world’s largest black democracy and we have very high hopes that we will do better than our Colonial-Masters, the colonialists. Nigeria at 100 years of age in 2014, it is only natural that questions be asked: what progress have we made? Has Nigeria failed? I think these really and truly beg the question. If we had failed as a nation, we would not be here talking. True, we have challenges; true, we have gone to the brinks but equally true is the fact that we have almost always found solutions to our problems by ourselves. The first and second coups d’etat in 1966 marked the incursion of the military in politics; these dislodged democracy and did not strengthen the principles of democracy.

Some of us were caught in the web of history. A few days before the January 15, 1966 coup led by the so called five Majors – The young Turks of the Nigerian Army, I was on board a ship sailing home after attending an officers’ course abroad. Before we arrived home, about three coups had occurred in West and Central Africa. This caused some of my fellow passengers to ask me if I thought a coup was possible in Nigeria. Although I am a soldier, I believe in democracy and believe I am a democrat by nature. I said ‘No’ because we were trained to be loyal to the government of the day and are apolitical. But I added rather philosophically that should one happen here, the few loyal ones amongst us would aim at restoring the status quo, democracy. A coup happened in Nigeria less than 36 hours of this discussion and as I arrived and disembarked. Since then we have travelled a tortuous route to the democracy that we enjoy today.

Our distinguished guest of honour today, Prof. Wole Soyinka, was a part of the moves to bring back democracy, even if he had an unorthodox way by which .he had hoped to get rid of us the Military leadership at the time in order to achieve just that. Regrettably, our politicians continually encourage soldiers to believe that they could solve all problems of this nation. This is wrong. Rather than allow the Military to see itself as panacea to the myriads of challenges, Nigerians continue to vote and ensure that these votes count.

One of the reasons that my administration fought to keep Nigeria together was that we believed strongly in Nigeria. After the war, we achieved reconciliation in a way that had not been done anywhere in the world. We tried our best to move Nigeria forward. We planned for development, as embodied in our audacious 3rd National Development Plan, which was a massive vision that would have ensured 15 per cent growth in the foreseeable future. That plan was designed by Nigerians who believed we could make a success of our country. So strong was my faith in the plan that I mandated then Commissioner of Economic Planning, Prof. Adebayo Adedeji, to start preparing for a 4th National Development Plan that would be 100 per

cent bigger than the 3rd that we have just launched. Sadly, the Plan never materialised, as the 3rd was tossed overboard by my successors that I had thought shared our vision of a great nation. The lack of continuity in government should be discouraged. Successor governments should always carefully study the vision of their predecessors with a view to continuing what is in the best interest of the nation, not to embark on change for its own sake.

As a people, we should discard the penchant for always looking for the worst in Nigeria and its leadership. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, things have improved; we must not continue to pull ourselves down. Although I am mindful that there are so many old ‘brigade’ at the National Conference who are still reawakening old issues and prejudices, I urge our younger generation and people to take up the challenge of ensuring that they do better than their forefathers.

If I have spoken as though I were the guest lecturer at this event on the proactive side not the negative/critical side, I plead that you understand the passion that the theme of the lecture has ignited in me and, I am certain, so many of the guests here. Truly, Nigeria House must not fall, must not fail.

My role is to set the tone for the lecture as well as the discussions that will follow. There is little doubt that we are here for serious business. All the ingredients are in place: the subject is ‘hot’, especially when you consider the rider ‘Renegotiating Nigeria’s Social Contract’; the guest of honour, Prof Soyinka, is very hot and the guest lecturers, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and Dr. (Mrs) Oby Ezekwesili are exceptionally ‘hot’ and patriotic Nigerians. I do not need to introduce them. Perhaps, the only cool thing here today is the air conditioning system, which, I pray, would not overheat when the fireworks start.

I congratulate my old friend, Prof. Wole Soyinka, for attaining the landmark age of 80 and pray that Nigeria be transformed soonest to allow him a breather from the trenches in which he has been ensconced from his early years. I thank his ‘children’ and ‘grandchildren’ in NAS for celebrating this global icon. Truly, Nigeria is blessed.

I thank you all for listening.

General Dr. Yakubu Gowon, GCFRAbeokuta

11 July, 2014

Remarks by His Excellency, General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR (Former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) at the 17th Wole Soyinka Lecture marking the 80th Birthday of Professor Wole Soyinka at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta on July 11th, 2014

Sometime in April this year I received advance notification of the hosting of this event. Subsequently, I received about two or three reminders. In spite of all, I noted the date of event as 13 July, 2014, which is Sunday. For that reason, I scheduled my arrival from Accra where I was to attend an ECOWAS function for Saturday, 12 July. When, I brought out the letters again to confirm the date, I discovered to my horror that I had been scheduled to be here today Friday, 11th July, 2014. I promptly telephoned the gentleman that signed all the letters to me, and it happened to be Mr. Ide Owodiong Idemeko, whose designation was NAS Cap’n. I thought an ex-Naval Captain. I sought to know if he was a Navy Captain! He said No, that he· was NAS Cap’n. I did not know what to make of that because I had hoped to harass him a bit, after all, as an Army General, I was senior to a Navy Captain. I suspect that Idemeko, too, would have wondered at the audacity of a ‘luber’ questioning his captaincy of his deck. Well, as everyone knows too well, with Prof. Wole Soyinka, you have got to get accustomed to surprises. I gave NAS Cap’n Idemeko my word that his ‘odas’ (orders) had been favourably considered and that I would be here today. For the sake of the Special Guest of Honour at this event, I gave up the rest of the ECOWAS event in Accra, just so that Prof. Soyinka would not construe my absence to mean that I was afraid of him making me his guest this time around as he was my special in the late 1960s.

It is my pleasure, therefore, to be here to join the celebration of a national and global icon. I also warmly welcome each and every one of the distinguished guests here present to this Special Birthday Lecture in honour of Prof. Wole Soyinka 80th. The theme of this lecture immediately caught my attention upon receipt of the invitation letter. I find it gratifying that NAS, which prides itself as a humanitarian and advocacy group that unapologetically stands up for the weak and the voiceless, is committed to the long term survival of Nigeria, hence the theme: This House Must not Fall: Renegotiating Nigeria’s Social Contract after 100 Years of Nationhood.

The continuing survival of Nigeria is a matter that has been dear to my heart from birth and as I grew up. It got to be the more so when I had the honour of leading the nation and had the challenge and opportunity of keeping the country united. On my watch, Nigeria did not fall and no matter what happens, I am strongly confident that the nation still will not fall for I have great faith in the

Prof Soyinka, is very hot and the guest

lecturers, Bishop Matthew Hassan

Kukah and Dr. (Mrs) Oby Ezekwesili are

exceptionally ‘hot’ and patriotic Nigerians. I do

not need to introduce them. Perhaps,

the only cool thing here today is the air

conditioning system, which, I pray, would

not overheat when the fireworks start.,,

,,

Celebrating this global iCon Wole Soyinka 17Th wOLe sOYiNKA ANNUAL LECTURE


ProtocolsI am always delighted when I have to speak on corruption because

that’s what I have been hired to do. When I accepted the invitation to speak at the 16th Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture organized by the National Association of Seadogs two things were on my mind. First, it is a rare privilege to for me to be part of any ceremony that would honour an International Icon of Nigerian descent: Wole Soyinka, in a world where to be described as of Nigerian descent connotes trouble except you are a footballer scoring goals in the European League. The second and more compelling reason was the opportunity for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to use this forum as the first public testing ground to discuss the draft of the Nigerian National Ethics and Integrity Policy which is undergoing finishing touches in partnership with the Justice For All (J4A) Programme of the DFID. Then came the first inkling of trouble for me when some friends and relatives called me to find out why I was accepting to speak with the Pyrates Confraternity who were cultists! Was I a member? “No I am not a member” I replied. “I have no intention of joining them or any group that will require me explaining all the time that ‘we are not what you think we are’.” It is enough headache for me to explain to the international community during International Confabs that the real Nigerian is an honest God-fearing person who desires to be appreciated locally and internationally.

On a lighter note I hope the Federal Road Safety Commission will not invite me to speak very soon for very obvious reasons of antecedence! It was now clear to me why the team that came to me in the office to hand me the invitation letter came armed with a publication on the objectives of the National Association of Seadogs and …. Yes a court judgment which had affirmed that the association was not a cult!! They had this ready in case I had any reservations. I have gone through this explanation to enable you understand the burden of some Nigerians who have to assure other Nigerians, and the International Community, that “we are not what you think we are.” In order words you are being persecuted on the basis of PERCEPTION than for the actual misdeeds, if any, that you may be involved in. From your website I understand that your guiding philosophy defines who the National Association of Seadogs are: fighting all social ills; non-conformists - if that means complacency, conservatism and stagnation; and, anti-tribalism. You stand for comradeship and chivalry. Your body language must match these objectives so that there is no disconnect. What is Ethics? This is a set of societal rules which have international acceptance in terms of permissible behaviour or actions which promote good human values: honesty (accountability, transparency, etc.) justice, chivalry, respect for others, patriotism, etc. It guides conduct on the basis of do what I say and do and not what I say and do not do. An absence or low supply of ethical values leads to a deficit in moral well-being and limits the deficiency-prone individual in the delivery of good governance and promotes corruption. A high dosage of ethical values can also attract resentment for an upright individual operating within a morally bankrupt corrupt society. Societies have tended to address and maintain ethical balances through self-regulating conduct and sanctions through the use of Law Enforcement Agencies, and lately added Anti-Corruption Agencies. Corruption is the subverting of public institutions, processes and goods for the benefit of a few persons or their associates. The substructures that fuel corruption indicate that it thrives where there is a high percentage of ethical and moral deficit in the populace. Societies with high inflation rates, lack of social safety nets, poor infrastructure, poor access to good quality health and educational services, high unemployment rates amongst the youth provide fertile grounds for

corruption. Ill-paid civil servants, public office holders and unregulated businesses will tend to exploit these situations to provide personal safety nets and eventually become rabidly greedy. Types of Anti-Corruption Agencies

There are various types of Anti-Corruption Agencies in the world. Some are multi-functional (Universal) and have investigative/prosecutorial, preventive and educational/public enlightenment functions. A good example is the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of Hong Kong established in 1974. Nigeria’s equivalent is ICPC which combines all these functions and was established in 2000. A second version of specialist ACAs are investigative in nature and address specific areas and needs. They may, or may not, have prosecutorial powers. When Nigeria had specific challenges in money laundering, terrorist financing, oil bunkering, internet-based fraud and related economic and financial crimes, it responded with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2004. A third variant of ACAs are largely preventive in nature. They are known as Ethics (and Anti-corruption) Commissions especially in Kenya and Ethiopia addressed and concentrated more on ethical reformation as a basis for preventing corruption. Under this genre we have the National Orientation Agency and the Code of Conduct Bureau to address specific areas. The latter is part of the Nigerian Constitution and has elaborated ethical rules guiding those in the Public Service. A fourth type is the multi-Agency approach where several distinct ACAs work in synergy to fight the common enemy (corruption) and each develops specialisations which come in useful during coordinated inter-agency operations. A good example of this is the United States Office of Government Ethics which has preventive functions. It works in concert with the Justice Department which has investigative and prosecution powers. With the aftermath of the September 11 bombing incident the Homeland Security Department came into being and coordinates several other Agencies like Customs, Immigration, Coast guards, Secret Service, etc. How did Anti-Corruption Agencies evolve in Nigeria?

Some countries established Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) as a response to international pressures especially trading and donor partners. I doubt the effectiveness of their ACAs making any impact because of the perception that their local corruption is against outsiders. However there is a higher opportunity for success in countries that have had severe corruption crisis and have themselves decided to do something about it domestically. The local population must buy into and sustain it for their own good and the good of all. Which is our scenario? Each country must understand its needs and be careful not to dance to external music to the detriment of its internal cohesion. We react in a knee-jack fashion and oftentimes throw out the baby with the bath water and begin to reinvent the wheel at great expense and arrive at comical results. The theme of this 16th Annual Lecture is most appropriate and has come at a time when all Nigerians, or most Nigerians, are beginning to agitate and seek a change to the culture of impunity and corruption that has robbed all of us of good life and international respect. Have you of late tried ordering certain goods on internet and found out that you could not find “Nigeria” in the drop-down box for mail deliveries? Fixing Ethical Deficits: ICPC is in the forefront of providing a National Policy on Ethics and Integrity under its preventive mandate if we are to win the war against corruption in the 21st century and beyond. We want to engage the citizens and allocate shares to them as owners of the change. We need to identify Nigerian Core values. Do Christians, Muslims and idol worshippers/pagans in Nigeria share the same ethical values? Do they have different reactions to “dishonesty”?

The culmination and acceptance of shared values become Core values and over time become a basis for negotiating acceptable laws for all persons in the society. Do We Need Constitutional Guarantees for Ethics?

It must be noted that Chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2011) dealing with Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy has been taken care of the need for national ethics. This is for “the purpose of promoting the good government and the welfare of all persons in our country on the principles of freedom, equality and justice, and for the purpose of consolidating the Unity of our people”. Poser: Do Nigerians need Servicom and Social Charters to be scrawled all over the walls before public officers serve with integrity and honesty? What are human rights if we do not have respect for human dignity and the sanctity of the human person especially when other human societies have stringent rules for treating animals well? Wherever you come from or whatever your religious belief is which mother would like to see her children die in hospitals because they were administered with fake drugs? ICPCs Intervention/Preventive Activities:

1. National Ethics and Civic Curriculum: Eight years ago, ICPC in collaboration with the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), developed a National Ethics and Civic Curriculum for our educational system starting from the Primary schools. Last month, we followed this with the launch of a Teacher’s Guide. We have established Anti-corruption and Integrity Clubs in Secondary Schools and tertiary institutions across the Country and my present Board has approved increased funding and interaction to this vital sector.

2. University Systems Study and Review: ICPC is currently involved in a review of corruption-prone processes at the tertiary levels of education with a view of assisting that sector take command of our national development imperatives. We have placed strong emphasis on the principles of honesty, hard-work, etc and will help develop new thought processes. We have begun the shutting down of illegal degree awarding mills nationwide.

3. NYSC: ICPC has integrity partnership Associations with the NYSC and we have an ethics programme that we run during their camping. After camping the process is driven by the Corp Members as volunteer groups.

4. Town Hall Meetings: ICPC runs integrity programmes through town hall meetings throughout the nation where we interact with the local opinion leaders and citizens

5. National Anti-corruption volunteer Corps and National Coalition of Civil Societies: Our most rewarding partnership that is citizen-run is in the area of volunteerism by citizens in the fight against corruption through sensitisation processes. We are now engaging Professional Bodies so that they can begin to proactively monitor their members and sanction them.

Promoting Ethical Conduct:• Patriotism: What will make me die for Nigeria if my children will become destitute and will have no access

to my death benefits? We need to and we have begun cleaning up the pensions system and enforcing new processes. Access to Justice irrespective of tongue or status: Legal Aid Council to assist the poor. Expand it to provide National Legal Schemes to encourage and assist young Lawyers take up and defend the “defenceless” for a State determined fee. • Democratic Change in governance. - Strengthen democratic institutions like INEC and let the citizens buy into it as a protection of their rights. • Poverty alleviation programmes: will strengthen democratic rights - the hungry and needy cannot make choices. • Restitution and compensation for victims of crime and injustice and immediate retribution and punishment for criminal conduct: This is the best signal that can assist ethical conduct of citizens. Elaborate schemes, not adhoc ones, must be encouraged and developed. • Unity in diversity: Educational Institutions, NYSC, Military and paramilitary Organisations must be encouraged to be universal in nature so that all citizens can have a stake and buy-in that these are national institutions • Professionalism: holding professionals to the ethical values. Develop specialisations and allow professionals to run their sectors. • Declaration of Interest - Code of Conduct for Public Officers • Federal Character Principles: Inclusiveness or Exclusiveness. • Use of Technology: Our integration with the world is based on technological savvy and this must be done in line with international Ethical considerations. Internet banking and shopping is based on trust and we must remove the yoke of dishonesty that some of our country men have imposed on us.

Conclusion:In conclusion, I would like to posit that Nation building would benefit from a strong dose of citizen and

leadership conducts driven by Ethics and Integrity. The substructures that will support genuine ethical conduct must be situated in a fair rewards system where there is access to minimum acceptable standards that provide a decent life to citizens. Our collective strength lies in the weakest Nigerian. All levels of governance must key into a national ethical conduct and not play “politics” with our jugular arteries especially in the areas of education, health, agriculture, security, infrastructural development, utilities, community development and national elections. The ethics policy must be integrated into recruitment into the public service, procurements and must be binding on citizens and foreigners.

ethiCal DeFiCit, CorrUPtion AND THE CHALLENGES OF NATION BUILDING IN 21ST CENTURY NIGERIA

An Address By Ekpo Nta, Esq., Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) At The 16Th Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture

Organised By The National Association Of Seadogs In Uyo On Friday, 12Th July 2013

16Th wOLe sOYiNKA ANNUAL LECTURE


17Th wOLe sOYiNKA ANNUAL LECTURE 16Th wOLe sOYiNKA ANNUAL LECTURE

Left to Right: Ide Owodiong-Idemeko (NAS Capn), Franklin Akintilo, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili (Guest Lecturer), General Gowon (Special Guest) and Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah

L-R Uwe Onyile, Ken Enwefah, Dr. Ofem Enang, Lt. Col Nwajagu and Engr. Oladipo Asafa

Cross section of audience drawn from federal and state civil service, academia, diplomatic corps, political parties, labour, business sector, civil society and the media

Left, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, Hon. Commissioner for Health, Ogun State and his children

Members of NAS ceremonial brigade of GuardsGowon exchanges pleasantries with a traditional ruler, as Bishop Kukah looks on

L-R, Ben Oguntuase, Prince Ifeanyi Onochie, Emmanuel Bassey, Andrew Onyearu, Engr. Osagie Olaye and David Assy

Wole Soyinka in a conversation with

General Gowon and His Excellency, Ibikunle

Amosun, Governor of Ogun State.

Left to Right: Mrs Owodiong-Idemeko, Ide Owodiong-Idemeko (NAS Capn),Udom Inoyo, Ekpo Nta (Guest Lecturer), Prof Ndubuisi Osuagwu

Prof. Wole Soyinka delivering the Keynote Message at the 16th Prof. Wole Soyinka lecture

Mr. Inoyo in a warm handshake with the Guest Lecturer, Ekpo Nta

Cross section of guests listening attentively to the Guest Lecturer

L-R, Tola Obembe, John Oke, Ekpo Nta (Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Guest Lecturer), Ide Owodiong-Idemeko (NAS Cap’n), Prof. Wole Soyinka, Udom Inoyo, Prince Ifeanyi Onochie, Benjamin Akpan and Akaniyene Umoh

Owodiong-Idemeko presenting NAS source books to Ekpo Nta

Ide Owodiong-Idemeko and wife escorting Prof. Wole Soyinka to Lecture Hall


Theme: Taking the Nigerian Child Off the Streets: The Impact of Corruption on Achieving Universal Primary Education.


1. Dr. Hussaini Abdu, Country Director ActionAid Nigeria

2. Chief of Defence Staff, Represented by Brigadier General Poopola.

3. Representative of the Inspector General of Police

4. Chief Mrs Opara, Widow of Late Ralph Opara


L-R Ide Owodiong-Idemeko, Andrew Onyearu, Dr. Hussaini Abdu and Prof. Temi Akporunor

L-R Representative of Police I-G, Brig. General Poopola and Chief Mrs Opara A participant asking a question during the interactive session

A secondary school pupil making a comment at the eventGuests listening attentively to the lecture

8Th rALph OpArA MEMORIAL LECTURE

Guest lecturer was Dr. Hussaini Abdu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria. Chosen based on his work in the academia, social advocacy, activism and developmental work.

Examined the plight of out of school children in Nigeria. The theme of the lecture, following from the 3rd NAS Charity Red Ball, was compelled by the UNESCO and UNICEF statistics that Nigeria accounts for 10.5 million of the 61 million “out of school ‘’ children worldwide.

The lecture facilitated discussion and proffered on the factors (especially corruption) that keep 40% of Nigerian children aged 6-11 years out of primary school, while another 30% of pupils drop out of primary school and only 54% transit to Junior Secondary Schools.

7Th rALph OpArAMEMORIAL LECTURE

Memorial Lecture

Theme:Terrorism, Insecurity and Irredentist Movements: The Challenges for Nation Building in NigeriaLooked at the growing cases of Terrorism and general insecurity in the country accentuated by the digging in of ethnic militia groups. The choice of theme was informed by the activities of the Boko Haram group and spate of kidnappings in the country.

The event took place on Friday November 2, 2012, at the Conference Centre, Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State.

1. Lt. Gen. Emein, Chairman of the Lecture2. Chief Francis Okumagba Community leader. 4. Chief Mrs Opara, Widow of Late Ralph Opara The Guest Speaker was Dr. Sam Amadi,

Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)

7Th rALph OpArA

Guest on the High Table and a cross section of the audience at the event

8Th rALph OpArA


total reach

294,313

orGaNIc reach

76,690 oN PaGe NeWS

855,412

eNGaGeD USerS

37,072

VIral reach

272,575 DaIlY MetrIcS

6,242

45

176

11

FaN BaSe

coUNtrIeS

total NUMBer oF artIcleS

PoSteD

laNGUaGeS

KEY METRICS 1 August 2013 – 22 July 2014

DAILYNumber of

peopLe shArINg pAge News

11,502

DAILYNumber of New LIKes

11,502

DAILYNumber of

sTorIes CreATeD AbouT pAge

1,700,502

DAILYNumber of

DIsLIKes

288

DAILYNegATIVefeeDbACK

21

DAILYeNgAgeD

users

37,072

Publicity & Media Outreach: Diversified NAS’s publicity and media outreach through sustained Social Media activity. We consider and have used social media as a veritable awareness and social advocacy tool. Including publishing corporate press releases, we have sought and shared information and materials that meet our organizational focus. The following key metrics from Face Book are reflective of the reach of our media presence to date.

These Press Releases were to ensure advocacy and positive social engagement. The topics were varied and according to issues that were topical at the times they were articulated. Going down the line, we adopted a strategy to “mine” data and publish information on articles, which are in line with our corporate philosophy and policy thrust. The list includes:

1. “NAS Tribute to Drummer Lee Rigby: The Woolwich Saga” (Released under the signature of Trafalgar Capn).

2. “Ethical Deficit, Corruption and the Challenges of Nation Building”.

3. “Merger of Political Parties in Nigeria”

4. “A Nation on the Brink of Collapse”.

5. NAS Charity Red Ball Press Release

6. “State of Emergency in Nigeria: Matters Arising.”

7. “Sexual Assault: Lecture-Student Relationship in DELSU”

8. “Student Unrest and Police Brutality: UNIUYO”.

9. “Justice at last: The People of Odi”.

10. “An Open Letter to President Goodluck Jonathan GCFR”

11. “Nigeria: Teetering on the Brink of Collapse”.

12. 2nd NAS Biennial Summit Communiqué

13. NAS Integration Bill Documents.

14. NAS Capn’s Inaugural Lecture.

15. Is Nigeria a failed state?

16. Protecting the Rights of the Girl-Child: The burden on our National Conscience

17. Which Way Nigeria? Super Eagles Bonus Saga

18. Nigeria at independence; the more things changed, the more they remained the same

19. Petition on fatal Shooting of Mr. John Ndukuba

20. World Aids Day 2013: Getting to Zero

social AdvocacyPress Releases Published in the Media

In recognition of the Legacy of The Late Nelson Mandela “Madiba”, the South African chapter of NAS

(registration number: 2008/003951/08) also known as Okavango Deck, did organise the 1st NAS Public Lecture in South Africa with the Topic – “Reconciliation & Integration in Africa - Building on the Legacy of Nelson Mandela”. The lecture was delivered by Professor Victor Ojakorotu of the Department of Politics and International Relations, North West University, Mafikeng Campus, South Africa and Dr David Monyae, Section Manager of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa at The Garden Court Hotel, Eastgate, Johannesburg, South Africa on April 5, 2014.

The Lecture explored the life and times of this African icon, legend, leader, and philosopher. How his principles of peace, non-violence and reconciliation coincided to impact regional integration and unity in Africa and the world, and how the current generation of African leaders can continue to entrench and benefit from this legacy

The 1st sOUTh AFriCAN PUBLIC LECTURE Theme: reconciliation & Integration in Africa - building on the Legacy of Nelson mandela

2nd L-R sitting, Dr. David Monyae, Ide Owodiong-Idemeko & Professor Victor Ojakorotu and John Oke, 1st Left Standing


To:! ! All SeadogsFrom:! ! NAS Cap’n Dusty FogDate:! ! 2102 01 50Subject: ! A Big Ahoy on the Save Bakassi Campaign.

Ahoy Seadogs,

Three weeks ago we set out on a voyage that seemed improbable, maybe, impossible.

That voyage, based on our collective resolve to intervene on behalf of the indigenous people of Bakassi to pressurize the Federal Government of Nigeria to appeal the 2002 ICJ Judgement which ceded Bakassi to Cameroon, quite frankly, seemed belated considering that the window provided under the ICJ review process for an appeal would be closed in 5days time. But we were undeterred, confident that we had what it takes to draw national and global attention to the plight of the Bakassi people.

We fired the first salvo with a Press Release which was followed by CB's seminal analysis of the Bakassi situation during his speech at Dr. Tunji Braithwaite's birthday. Next followed, the massive on-line campaign by NAS, letters to the President and Vice-President of Nigeria, Press Conference and media rally, and the highly successful Advocacy and Awareness March, press conferences and town hall meetings which took place on September 29 in cities of the world where NAS operates. The March itself brought out the best in us and showcased to the world that we are truly a global organisation, altruistic, and committed to stand up for the weak and voiceless in our society. Interestingly, the Lubbish Capoon of Bakassi joined the March in Zero Meridian. To borrow the words of Barrack Obama, "we did what the cynics said we couldn't do". And to these heroic acts by each of you, I shout a big Ahoy to you all.

Ahoy Seadogs, I am happy to inform you that when the history of the struggle to reclaim Bakassi is penned, the National Association of Seadogs will occupy a place of prominence. Yesterday, the Federal Government did an about-face on the Bakassi issue and announced its intention to immediately appeal the ICJ judgement before the October 10 deadline. That decision, Ahoy Seadogs is a victory to all of you and to the indigenous people of Bakassi.

Through our collective effort, we have raised the national discourse on Bakassi. Now, that the appeal is going to be made, we need to sustain international focus on the subject. We cannot rest on our oars; neither should we go to sleep. The Bakassi people need us now, more than ever before. We must not allow our Government to handle this matter in the shoddy manner of the past. Eternal vigilance must be our watchword.

Ahoy mates, let's savour this victory for now but keep in mind that it doesn't matter how many battles we win or lose, the objective is to save the indigenous people of Bakassi. For their land is their right.

Once again, a big Ahoy to you all.

Dusty FogNAS Cap'n

ABAKALIKI

LAGOS DUBLIN

ATLANTA BENIN CITY

OWERRI

LONDONNAS CAPN IN MEDIA CHAT

PORT HARCOURT

WARRI HOUSTON

To: All SeadogsFrom: NAS Cap’n, Ide Owodiong-Idemeko

Date: 5th October, 2012Subject: A Big Ahoy on the Save Bakassi Campaign.

Ahoy Seadogs,

Three weeks ago we set out on a voyage that seemed improbable, maybe, impossible.

That voyage, based on our collective resolve to intervene on behalf of the indigenous people of Bakassi to pressurize the Federal Government of Nigeria to appeal the 2002 ICJ Judgement which ceded Bakassi to Cameroon, quite frankly, seemed belated considering that the window provided under the ICJ review process for an appeal would be closed in 5days time. But we were undeterred, confident that we had what it takes to draw national and global attention to the plight of the Bakassi people.

We fired the first salvo with a Press Release which was followed by Professor Wole Soyinka’s seminal analy-sis of the Bakassi situation during his speech at Dr. Tunji Braithwaite’s birthday. Next followed, the massive on-line campaign by NAS, letters to the President and Vice-President of Nigeria, Press Conference and media rally, and the highly successful Advocacy and Awareness March, press conferences and town hall meetings which took place on September 29 in cities of the world where NAS operates. The March itself brought out the best in us and showcased to the world that we are truly a global organisation, altruistic, and committed to stand up for the weak and voiceless in our society. Interestingly, prominent citizens of Bakassi joined the March in Zero Meridian. To borrow the words of Barrack Obama, “we did what the cyn-ics said we couldn’t do”. And to these heroic acts by each of you, I shout a big Ahoy to you all.

Ahoy Seadogs, I am happy to inform you that when the history of the struggle to reclaim Bakassi is penned, the National Association of Seadogs will occupy a place of prominence. Yesterday, the Federal Government did an about-face on the Bakassi issue and announced its intention to immediately appeal the ICJ judgement before the October 10 deadline. That decision, Ahoy Seadogs is a victory to all of you and to the indigenous people of Bakassi.

Through our collective effort, we have raised the national discourse on Bakassi. Now, that the appeal is going to be made, we need to sustain international focus on the subject. We cannot rest on our oars; neither should we go to sleep. The Bakassi people need us now, more than ever before. We must not allow our Government to handle this matter in the shoddy manner of the past. Eternal vigilance must be our watchword.

Ahoy mates, let’s savour this victory for now but keep in mind that it doesn’t matter how many battles we win or lose, the objective is to save the indigenous people of Bakassi. For their land is their right.

Once again, a big Ahoy to you all.

Ide Owodiong-IdemekoNAS Cap’n

...Eventually, the Nigerian goverment did not follow through with the appeal as the ICJ statute expired on the 9th of October, 2012 and Bakassi finally became a Camerounian territory. As an organisation we have continued supporting the people of Bakassi by bringing to fore, the plight of its people. On 31st January 2013, we organised a medical mission at Ikang, Bakassi.

FROM THE ArChives

To join the continuing conversation on Bakassi, please visit our dedicated Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/save.bakassi.now


The Adventures of

Captain Blud, TAoCB, is a Comic Book, intended primarily to celebrate the 80th birthday of Wole

Soyinka, Nobel Laureate and one of the 7 original founders of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) during the 1952/53 academic session at the University College, Ibadan. Soyinka, whose sobriquet within the Pyrates Confraternity is Captain Blood or Capoon Blood or Cap’n Blud represents the quintessential Seadog or Pyrate (note the spelling of Pyrate with ‘y’ and not ‘i’) as envisioned by the original founders and encoded in the 3-4-7 Creed of the Confraternity. The life of Soyinka itself has been one of tremendous adventures, enmeshed in the struggle of good over evil, freedom and liberty over repression, intellect over ignorance, courage in the face of fear, and hope over despair.

coming to a

near youbookshop

For further enquiries, contact: Olu Ajayi (+2348033048490) Lagos, Chuks Onwudinjo, (+2348077092196) Lagos,Chiemeka Ozumba (+447701027417) London, Edem Duke (+17033445682) Washington

COMPLETE WATER PROJECT BUILT AND DONATED TO DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN OROGUN

COMMUNITY CAUSE PROJECTS

UMALOKUN MeMOriAL THE PROJECTOver 30yrs ago, precisely in the early hours of Tuesday morning, December 27, 1983, Six of our members were brutally gunned down in cold blood at the grounds of Oharisi Primary School, Ughelli, Delta State, NAS organized an anti-police brutality rally at the scene of this gory incident and in response to the protest by the Confraternity, the Inspector general of Police then, Mr. Sunday Adewusi, in his letter of condolence to the Fraternity, described the incident as unfortunate and promised full investigation. The outcome of the investigation led to the prosecution of six Policemen involved in the mass murder. The case still remains open to this day. The organisation in the spirit of forgiveness, has begun a project initiative in their memory. The plan is to donate a project that meets a need within the police community. The first in line of these projects is a water project constructed and donated to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Orogun, Delta State. Since this unfortunate incidence occurred, NAS has immortalised these martyrs through the Umalokun Memorial Lecture Series. Currently this lecture has now been replaced by the UMALOKUN PROJECTS which objective is to commission community cause projects dedicated to the memory of these fallen heroes. A cenotaph in their honour is also in the works.

As part of our commitment toward immortalising the Umalokun-Six, NAS, a few years back had embarked on and commissioned a borehole project at Oharisi Primary School Grounds

ASP Prince Ajubor, representative of the Area Commander, receiving the project commissioning papers from Mr. Kenneth Enwefah, Area Mate 7

DSP Okoro Michael, Divisional Police Officer, Orogun Police Station and Fred Erukanure, Cap’n of Umalokun, watch with keen interest as Enwefah

cuts the project commissioning tapeFor more information, visit: www.wolesoyinkalecture.org


3rd NAs ChAriTY RED BALL According to the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), 40% of Nigerian children aged 6-11 do not attend any primary school while 30% of pupils’ dropout of primary school and only 54% transit to Junior Secondary Schools. Similarly, the former Nigerian Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayytu Rufai while speaking to the Western Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria at the World Education Forum on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 in London, stated that Nigeria accounted for 10.5 million of the 61 million “out of school ‘’children worldwide.

Deeply alarmed by the depth of this social problem and its extensive consequences for the nation, NAS decided to use the platform provided by her 3rd NAS Charity Red Ball to call on well-meaning individuals and groups to come join hands with her to develop and implement a strategy that would help put these children back to school so as to secure our ability to compete in the future as a nation. The event had as theme, “volunteering for the Education of the Street Child” and the Nollywood Star Actor and Theatre Arts Lecturer, Dr. Sam Dede was on hand as Celebrity Guest to champion and help raise funds to support the cause. The Event itself took place on Friday July 12, 2013 at the Grace Events Center in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

In 2013, the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) embarked on a national campaign intended to bring the plight of the Street Child in Nigeria to the front burner of national discourse and action.

Celebrity Guest Artiste:

SAM DEDE

Charities Supported:

Child Life Line Lagos

National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), Uyo Center.

The event had as theme, “Volunteering for the Education of the Street Child” and the Nollywood Star Actor and Theatre Arts Lecturer, Dr. Sam Dede was on hand as Celebrity Guest to champion and help raise funds to support the cause. It was indeed a night of colour and glamour

an eveningwithSAMDEDE

Live Music by

Raffia Band of Uyo

Nollywood Movie Star

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SEADOGS

Come an enjoy a Full buffet meal And live music dance with Nollywood Movie Star, Sam Dede.

Theme: Volunteering For the Education of The Street Child (In support of NAPTIP Uyo Centre and Child Life Line Centre, Lagos)

pyrates’ confraternity

presents the NAS RED BALL in

Date: 12th July 2013 Time: 8.00pmVenue: Graces R&R, IBB Way, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state

MC: Okon Lagos

Ticket: N5000

Tickets available at Monty Hotels Uyo, Emjem Hotels, Uyo and Grace’s R&ROr email: [email protected]


4th NAs ChAriTY RED BALL The 4th NAS Charity Red Ball which took place on 11th July 2014 consolidated on the achievements of the 3rd edition in 2013 when the format of the ball was changed significantly.

Titled Folk on the Rock and featuring the legendary folk tale and music maestro, Jimi Solanke, the ball had over 500 guests in attendance and with donations still coming in has raised over N3,000,000.00 from donations alone so far.

As usual, it was an evening of eye-catching fashion, sumptuous banquet and fine wine, complimented with great entertainment from – Jimi Solanke. The high points of the evening included the raffle draw were over 20 premium prizes were won including 42 inch LG led Tv, Microsoft Xbox etc.

The event continued to raise awareness on the plight of the street child in Nigeria. In attendance was the President of Street Child Care & Welfare Initiative - Comfort Alli as well as the Programs Officer of Child Life Line. The two Street Children NGOs the ball was raising support for.

As it has become traditional, the cause of the Red Ball is the central focus of NAS for a one-year period. For the 2nd year running, NAS will focus on furthering its work of supporting Street Children Causes in Nigeria.

It was a night of great entertainment from the Celebrity Guest - the Legendary Jimi Solanke, sumptuous banquet and fine wine. Most importantly raising awareness and support for NAS Street Child Causes.

Celebrity Guest Artiste:

JIMI SOLANKE

Charities Supported:

Child Life Line Lagos

Street Child Care & Welfare Initiative

NAS Reading Room/ICT Projects


AREA 6: Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu & Imo States• vito Corsica (Asaba, Delta State) • Public Workshop: “Stress Management, Health Risks of

Alcohol and Cigarette Consumption and Basic First Aid” 09/10/2013

• In observing the World Glaucoma Day, vito Corsica organized free glaucoma eye test. Free eyeglasses 9th - 15th of March 2014.

• In collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps, Delta State Command distributed over 300 eyeglasses to tricycle (keke) riders in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday 24th May, 2014.

AREA 5: Cross River State and Benue StateFrigate Deck (Calabar South)• Medical Outreach Programme was carried out at the

Primary Health Centre, 34 Anderson Street (Ward 4), Calabar South LGA on 26th of June 2014. The Medical outreach was on free Pediatric Consultancy, Ante-Natal Care, distribution of mosquito treated nets and general medical care. The Chairperson of Calabar South LGA, Hon Majorie Asuquo was in attendance and distributed the mosquito nets to the beneficiaries.

AREA 1: LAGOS METROPOLITAN CITYHawkins Deck (Alimosho & Agege Local Government Areas) • Borehole Project for Adeko village, Idimu Tutun,

Community in Alimosho Local Government Area• Legal Aid Awareness Programme: A key achievement of

the programme is conclusively handling the complaint of one Ms. Olabukola Olanrewaju who was duped. Through the help of our Balance mates (lawyers), the fraudster was arrested and detained at the Pen Cinema Police Station where he opted for out-of-court settlement by paying back her money.

Hispaniola: (Lagos Island)• Free Legal Clinic for Prison Inmates under the aegis of

the Legal Aid and Citizens Rights Initiative (Formerly Legal Aid & Prisoners Rights Initiative). This helped secure the release of some prison inmates while some pending cases are being pursued by Hispaniola legal team.

• Medical Outreach at Ogombo Community, Lekki, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area.

Panama: (Ikeja & Onigbongbo Local Government Areas)• visitation and Donation of materials to Child Life Line,

Gbagada.• Improving community security with the repair and

reconstruction of neighborhood Gate behind Alade Market, Ikeja.

• Improving accessibility and ease of movement for the community with the tarring of the neighborhood road.

• School Support Project: Donation of exercise books

and writing material to Ogba Primary School 1, Oluwole Estate Ogba and Tokumbo Ali Primary School, off Toyin Street Ikeja. Project has held in February 2013 and May 2014.

• Established a Special Marshall Unit of Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC to help improve traffic situation in Ikeja, Lagos. Training for The Special Marshals are on going and will be completed in August 2014 and thereafter inauguration of the unit will take place.

• Educational Humanitarian Project: Paid School Fees for Adopted Child at the Heritage Home Orphanage, Anthony Maryland. This responsibility will continue throughout the child’s primary schooling.

Walrus X: (Ikorodu Local Government Area)• Educational Excellence Project: Scholarship Awarded

to the Best SS1 Student at Igbakodo Grammar School, Ikorodu, Lagos.

• Educational Humanitarian Project: Taking the responsibility of school fees payment for Master Idahosa another indigent Student in Ikorodu LGA.

• Educational Humanitarian Project: Payment of tuition fees of the adopted child of the zone, (Master Emmanuel) who is currently at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. The deck has been responsible for the welfare and education of Emmanuel.

• Road Safety Project: Erecting Speed Breakers in front of Ipakodo Grammar School, Ikorodu between 1st February

and 31st of March 2014.ZANAS: (Lagos Mainland)School Support Project: Providing assistance to Islamic

Primary School, 4 Atan Street, Yaba in support of the Inter-House Sports.

AREA 4: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa & Rivers StatesBunka Bay: (Abia Central/Abia North)• Humanitarian Project: Supporting The Special Education

Centre for the Blind Afaraukwu, Umuahia through donation of braille papers and walking sticks to the students. The deck is also continuing its awareness campaign to attract more supporters for the centre.

AREA 2: Kwara, Ogun And Oyo StatesAsh Montana Deck: Ogun Central/Ogun West• Public Lecture: Feast of Barracuda lecture theme

was ‘The Family in the Nigerian Security Challenges’ delivered by Mrs Oluyemisi Soyemi (Chief Psychiatric Nurse, Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Aro). The moderator was Engr, Tony Ojesina (former Commissioner for Environment, Ogun State).

• Initiated and executed an Anti-Smuggling Project. This was a campaign against the open and embarrassing smuggling activities along the borders in Ogun State, using social and conventional media with noteworthy impact.

• The deck played a significant role in rescuing three women who have been trafficked to Mali against their will and consent for prostitution.

Jolly Rogers: (Oyo State)• Medical Outreach: Eye Test was conducted for

members of Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW and other members of the general public at the New Motor Park, New Garage, Ibadan, on the 20th September 2013. Medication, including eyeglasses, was freely provided to well over 200 attendees.

• Reading/Book Project: Commissioning of a Youth Book Club/Library on Saturday, 21st September 2013, by Ide Owodiong-Idemeko (NAS Capn). Hosting of the Youth Book Club takes place every second Saturday of every Month, for two-hour reading sessions. Attendance records an average of 30 youths.

Ruwan Zafi: (Kwara State)• Became a key stakeholder in the WHO/KWASACA

HIv/AIDS prevention campaign having received formal accreditation from the World Health Organization WHO and Kwara State Action Committee on AIDS initiative.

• School Health Project: Implemented in three rural schools and the secretariat of National Youth Council, Yewa North, Ogun State. This entailed health awareness talk and provision of first aid boxes. Children who excelled in the accompanying health quiz were rewarded with prizes.

• A humanitarian visit was made to the Motherless Babies’ Home of Kwara State Children Reception Centre, Ministry of Social Development, Culture and Tourism. During the visit, various items/goods were donated, ranging from: Well kited First-Aid Box and drugs such as: multivitamins, anti-malarials, deworming drugs, as well as foodstuff. The deck-rehabilitated the centre’s aged and broken-down, water reticulation system.

AREA 7: Delta South/Delta CentralUmalokun: (Ughelli North, Bomadi, Patani, Ughelli South LGAs)• A complete water system was built and donated to

the Nigerian Police at the Divisional Headquarters at Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State under the aegis of the Umalokun Masscre Initiative.

• Presented wheel chairs and reading books to Home for the Physically Challenged Persons, Ughelli.

Dolphin Deck: Ukwuani, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Ethiope East, Isoko North, Isoko South LGAs• Produced and donated over 100 pieces of the Nigerian

Flag to all Government agencies and establishments in the five Local Government Areas.

Escravos Deck: Warri South, Warri South West, Borotu, Warri North LGAs• Medical Mission at Abigborodo in Warri North LGA,

Delta State.

AREA 01: New York, Toronoto & CalgaryEskimo Deck: Toronto, Canada• Continues its long running monthly humanitarian

donations:• $480.00 per annum to Toronto Hospital for Sick Kids• $360 per annum sponsorship to Primary and Secondary

School education of an orphan in Zimbabwe (Brian Ncube) through World vision Organization

• $300.00 Markham Food Bank in the Greater Toronto Area.

• In December 2012, donated about 200 school bags, water bottles, reading and writing materials, worth more than $800, to three primary schools in Lagos, Nigeria through Hawkins Deck.

• Public Lecture in 2013 themed: “Economic Empowerment of Africans in the Diaspora”. Professor Issa Odidi, (President and CEO of Intellipharmaceutics, Canada) presented the keynote lecture.

Grundziro Deck: New York, USA• This year, the deck continued their annual charity

donations in the New York Area: $500, to Big Sister and Big Brothers of New York. (The beneficiary of the 2013 Grundziro Charity donation was Fountain House of New York ($200).

• In 2013, Grundziro carried out charity work in collaboration with Fountain House of New York in support of their work on recovery of men and women with mental illness. A donation of $200 was given to Fountain House. In 2014, Grundziro’s theme for the FOB lecture was “African Universities, Keys for Transformation in Africa”. Professor Okey Ndibe of Howard University, USA presented the keynote lecture.

AREA 03: Califonia, Japan & Australia8quake Deck: California, USA• Successfully participated in the Los Angeles Annual

Aids Walk, held on October 13, 2012 to help raise funds for treatment of people afflicted with the deadly virus of HIv. Also, part of the funds raised goes towards research for the cure of the deadly disease AIDS.

Hiroshima Deck: Japan• In continuation of its eye care health project,

successfully shipped 500 pairs of reading glasses to support the NAS Free Medical Mission.

EXTERNAL PROJECTSFLAgship

HAWKINS DECK BOREHOLE PROJECT AT ADEKO, IDIMU TUTUN, ALIMOSHO, LAGOS STATE


WATER PROJECT FOR ST. vINCENT DE PAUL OLD PEOPLES AND DESTITUTE HOME, ABAKALIKI.

COMMUNiTY CAUSE The Project: Hand-driven Water Borehole.

Benefactor: Yahking Integrated ventures Ltd in partnership with National Association of Seadogs, Aqua Saporita Deck.

Essence of Project: To provide portable water for the Residents. Hitherto, the home had difficulty with water.

Conception of Project: During the Deck’s Charity visit to the Home in October, 2013, we discovered that the Residents of this Home had no source of water. This was confirmed as a major challenge to the residents.

Kingsley Tayin who is our Audit Pyrate and Chairdawg of the Deck’s Charity Causes Team moved by the plight of the Residents, offered to collaborate with the deck to deliver on the project. Tayin works with Cartar Foundation and owns Yahking Integrated ventures Ltd. Today, the residents of the Home are happily enjoying portable and easily accessible water.

Innocent EkwuloCap’n of Aqua Saporita

Onyekachi ElechiArea Mate, Area 6

BENEFICIARY:

Residents of Saint vincent de Paul Old People’s and Destitute Home. It is a Home run by a Catholic Mission in Abakaliki. Like the name implies, this Home keeps very elderly people and destitute. As a result of their peculiar circumstance, the Home and residents are primary on Aqua Saporita list of Charity and Welfare Programmes.

EBONYISTATE


bodies to re-orientate the citizenry to transfer their allegiances from their traditional and primordial roots to the Nigerian nation-state.

iii. That the on-going constitutional review process should expunge the quota system from our laws while retaining a modified concept of affirmative actions to support weaker sections of the country without sacrificing merit on the altar of appeasement.

iv. That the constitutional review exercise should ensure that our laws prohibit the requirement of information on “state of origin” in public documents and replace it with “state of residence” and if necessary “place of birth”.

v. NAS having recognized that the welfare and protection of women is an integral issue that cannot be divorced from the sustained development of any country, has however observed that the womenfolk in the country have suffered the most from the concept of indigene/citizen as practiced by the Federal Government and some states of the federation which makes it possible for women to be discriminated against on the basis of their state of origin or where they are married to. The summit resolved that this abnormality in the scheme of affairs must be done away with to make it possible for women to aspire to any position wherever they may deem fit – whether from their states of origin, or where they are married to.

vi. That the said review exercise should give the force of law to the fact that a legal resident in any part of the country who is a Nigerian and has lived, worked and paid taxes for a period of ten years in that location shall, upon application to the appropriate authority, be granted all rights of citizenship in that particular state of residence.

vii. That the right to multiple residences should be guaranteed by the constitution and that an individual should be free to decide which to adopt between state of birth, state of ancestral origin and state of residence where he or she is qualified by means of years of residence.

viii. Finally, that a law be enacted to ensure the prohibition of discrimination against any Nigerian based on whether he or she is an indigene of the particular location of choice or state of origin, while all aspects of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria which support the notion of indigene should be either repealed or expunged from our statute books. In this regard, NAS resolved to re-sponsor a private member Legislative Bill in the National Assembly to actualise this goal (copy of previous draft bill attached for information purposes).

ConclusionThe Summit reiterated its optimism in the possibility of actualising the Nigerian dream and the opportunities for greatness offered by the prospects of a true Nigerian nation built on an integrated citizenry that does not pander to ethnic divisions and indigene-settler dichotomy, which currently holds back the wheels of progress in our chequered journey to true nationhood. SignedAssy D. Assy Udodirim Oruruo Ide Owodiong-IdemekoNAS Scribe Co-ordinator, NAS Summit NAS Cap’n

of The NATIoNAL AssoCIATIoN of seADogs (pYrATes CoNfrATerNITY), heLD AT The eVeNTs CeNTre, ALAusA, IKeJA,

LAgos sTATe oN frIDAY, februArY 1, 2013

NAs 2nd bieNNiAL sUMMiTCommuNIQue IssueD AT The 2ND bIeNNIAL summIT

PreambleThe National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates

Confraternity), NAS, recently organised its Second Biennial National Summit to facilitate national dialogue among summit participants and most importantly, to elicit through brainstorming sessions, profound ideas that would articulate, standardise and lead the involvement of the citizenry in the political process of the nation.

The Summit lecture theme, The Citizen and Indigene: A Case for National Integration was delivered by Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, under the chairmanship of Prof. Temi Akporonor, Dean of Student Affairs, Delta State University, Abraka.Also present at the Summit, were a representative of the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, a representative of the Director-General, National Orientation Agency, a representative of the Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, leaders and members of Civil Society Organisations, Community Leaders, the Academia, journalists and the general public. For their presence, interest shown, encouragement given and input made toward the success of this Summit, the National Association of Seadogs is greatly appreciative.ObjectivesThe main objectives of the 2013 Summit include:i. Provide an integrated platform for leaders and advocates

from across the country to focus on strengthening Nigeria’s nationhood through robust engagement in dialogue.

ii. Develop a proper and holistic understanding of the concepts of Citizen and Indigene as they apply to Nigeria.

iii. Analyse the impact of these concepts on the integration and co-existence of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

iv. Explore alternative action plan for the development and re-presentation of the private member National Integration Bill, already sent to the legislature by NAS and would also be presented to the Executive arm of government.

v. Engage in active advocacy for the continued existence of Nigeria as one united and indissoluble entity with all attendant rights, privileges and freedom.

Plenary SessionThe Plenary Session of the Summit involved the lecture delivered by the Guest Speaker, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, followed by robust interactive workshop sessions which drew participants from a broad and diverse spectrum of the audience.ObservationsArising from the lecture and the subsequent workshop sessions, the Summit made the following observations:

i. That the boundaries of modern nation-states when viewed

against the background of their evolutionary dynamics across the globe, are in most instances artificial; created with very few, if any, having a truly indigenous population.

ii. That migration over the centuries across both national and international borders has since diluted the effective connotation of the concept, Indigene.

iii. That considering Nigeria’s socio-political situation, the emergence of the concept, Indigene, is largely based on the advantages derivable from resource allocation and distribution, and coupled with the twisted perks of office associated with the insatiable jostle for power in different states of the federation and at different levels of governance.

iv. That the concept, Indigene, was only a relevant academic socio-cultural concept for reference purposes but which unfortunately has been over-emphasised in our national consciousness causing division and lack of trust between the so-called indigenes and settlers. The Summit agreed that this situation has hindered the potential for collaborative development efforts with the attendant inhibition of nation building.

v. That most of the countries that constitute the world’s super powers today, are countries that have de-emphasised the concept of indigene and have shifted the focus of its people to the concept of citizen, viewed in terms of the right of everyone to pursue his or her legitimate dreams within the guarantees and limitations provided by the state as well as accepting the “obligations to one another and to future generations”, as imposed by the collective desire of all participants to the commonwealth.

vi. That the present structure of the Nigerian state, runs counter to the theory, concept and practice of true federalism, and that the present accentuation of state or origin or ethnic origin in public and national life does not allow for proper national integration.

The Summit signposted the foregoing situations as those which have widened ethnic polarity and therefore constituted the strongest factors militating against the evolution of a truly Nigerian nation.

RecommendationsHaving made the foregoing observations, the Summit

recommends and advocates the following:

i. That the Federal Government of Nigeria take immediate steps to implement federalism in the true spirit of its theory and practice, and to allow constituent states to exploit and manage their own resources as equal partners in the Nigeria federation.

ii. That the Federal Government of Nigeria take immediate steps to moderate the influences of traditional and primordial institutions while using credible value orientation institutions like family, education, religious

Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC,

41NAS Annual Report


FINANCIALSTHE

UNAUDITED ACCOUNT

FLAgshipsYNOpsis OF NAs MeMOrANdUMTO THE 2014 NATIONAL CONFERENCE

In recognition of the fact, that there is no substitution to talking and dialogue if two or more disputing parties have any intention to make peace and

close ranks, the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) ensured her full participation and contribution to the issues of discourse during the 2014 National Conference rather than regard it as another futile exercise. On April 15, 2014 NAS submitted her memorandum to the National Conference Secretariat with her comments on some of the topical issues confronting the country over her period of existence. While the organisation was not able to comment on all the subjects as fully as it would have wished to, those that she commented upon represented some of the key issues that continue to occupy the time of the organisation in the work that it has undertaken since its birth in 1952 and those that it will continue to pursue in the actualisation of its societal objectives. As an organisation, NAS is very desirous of seeing a united, virile and democratic Nigeria founded on the principles of justice, equity and peaceful coexistence. Arising from this position, NAS raised the following issues for determination in the Memorandum: (i) Fiscal Federalism (ii) System of Government (iii) Domestication of MNCs in their areas of Operation (iv) Boundary Delineation (v) Corruption (vi) Students‟ Unionism (vii) Judiciary Reform (viii) Law Enforcement (ix) Election Reforms In summary, NAS made the following relief/prayers which we belief if considered will go a long way in helping to quicken the healing process of the country which the National Conference had undertaken to find solutions that will accelerate the healing process. Nigeria should adopt a full and undiluted fiscal federalism with States as constituent units. States should therefore be allowed to control resources found

in their lands, while paying taxes and royalties to the Federal Government. Agriculture should be handed over to the States. Thus the Federal Ministry of Agriculture should shut down. States should be allowed to create and maintain State Police to ensure effective local policing Nigeria should adopt a parliamentary system of government with a unicameral legislature. Also, membership of Parliament should be on part-time basis. Constituency projects with Legislators as Contractors and resource persons should be abolished.

Multinational Corporations (MNCs) in the country should be ordered to establish their operational headquarters at where they are earning their income. NAPIMS & DPR should be relocated to one of the Niger Delta States. All inter and intra State boundaries should be promptly delineated taking into consideration traditional and social heritages and relationships among boundary communities. Anti-Corruption Agencies should be allowed to work independently. They should be allowed funding independence to do their work.

All corrupt people who were given National and State awards by the Federal and State governments or Academic awards by Universities, should be publicly stripped of those awards. All Chieftaincy titles to be given out by our traditional institutions should be screened by anti-corruption agencies. Promotion of ethnic nationalism and ethnic militias should be totally banned in the country. Nigerians should be allowed and constitutionally emboldened to claim indigeneship of where they were born or where they have resided for the number of years as specified in the Constitution. Radical reforms of our electoral system is required.

1

MeMoraNDUM

to the

NatIoNal coNFereNce

BY

NatIoNal aSSocIatIoN oF SeaDoGS


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITIONAs of 31st July(in thousands of Nigerian Naira

Assets 2013-14Cash and cash equivalents ₦ 55,295Receivables, net 13,232 Investments 24,773 Property and equipment, net 98,655 TOTAL ASSETS ₦ 191,956

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETSLIABILITIESDeferred Revenue ₦ 119Accounts Payable, accrued expenses 989 Total liabilities ₦ 1,108Net AssetsAccumulated Fund to begin ₦ 165,342Excess Receipt over Expenditure 34,686 Prepayment(Premium) (9,180)Total net assets ₦ 190,848

Total Liabilities and Assets ₦ 191,956

44 NAS Annual Report

FINANCIALSFLAgship


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIESYear ended 31st July(in thousand of Nigerian Naira)

REVENUES: 2013-14DUES ₦ 39,040CONTRIBUTIONS 23,257 GRANTS/DONATIONS 12,555 OTHER NAS INCOMES 18,424 TOTAL REVENUES ₦ 93,276

EXPENSES:NAS PROGRAMMES EXPENDITURES:NAS MEDICAL MISSION ₦ 1,250NAS SOCIAL ADVOCACY PROGRAMMES(WORKSHOPS, SYMPOSIUM ETC)* 3,501 NAS HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMMES 2,940 NAS BOOK PUBLICATION(THE ADVENTURE OF CB) 7,450 OTHER NAS PROGRAMMES(PWC & AGM) 3,334 TOTAL NAS PROGRAMMES EXPENDITURES ₦ 18,475NAS WELFARE/INSURANCE BENEFITS PROGRAMMES ₦ 35,890NAS CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES 2,791NAS SECRETARIAT GENERAL ADMINISTRATION 1,434 TOTAL EXPENSES ₦ 58,590

CHANGES IN NET ASSETS ₦ 34,686