African’s first Nobel Laureate for Literature, Prof. Wole Soyinka will be 80 in July and as the entire world rolls out drum to celebrate him, the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has mapped out its own plans for a unique celebration of the literary icon whom they described as one of the initiators of the idea of Pyratism, and unarguably the most visiblePyrate since the confraternity’s inception.
Addressing the press at the formal presentation of the dedicated Website of the Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture Series sponsored and organized by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), in Lagos Ide Owodiong-Idemeko NAS Cap’n disclosed that this years celebration will be special and symbolic in many respects. It will start with The Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture Series, a conception of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), dedicated to honouring one of Nigeria and Africa’s most outstanding and enduring literary icons: Professor Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate).
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The Lecture Series, which is an annual event, holds in the month of July and is aimed at promoting good governance, social justice and the advancement of democratic ideals in Nigeria and beyond. Since its inception, lectures have been held in three continents around the world (Africa, Europe and North America).
According to him, this year’s lecture which is the 17th in the Series is significant and symbolic in many respects. It coincides with Prof Wole Soyinka’s 80th birthday and the centenary of Nigeria’s existence as a country. The Lecture with the theme “This House Must Not Fall -Renegotiating Nigeria’s Social Contract after 100 Years of Nationhood”is scheduled to hold on Friday July 11, 2014 at the Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State at 10:00am. The lecture will be delivered by two great and inspiring Nigerians, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto and Dr. Oby Ezekwesili of the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI), Open Society Foundation and co-founder of Transparency International.
The body also announced the establishment of the Wole Soyinka Award for Humanistic Ideals aimed at celebrating individuals or organisations who have undertaken activity or action that has provided solution to a public service problem or addressed social injustice within a community or state.
The Wole Soyinka Award for Humanistic Ideals would be awarded by an Independent Award Committee composed of eminent figures, accomplished professionals in their chosen fields of endeavour. It will attract a cash award of US$ 6,000.00 (Six Thousand United States Dollars) with a commemorative plaque and would be awarded to individuals and organisations who meet the pre-set qualification criteria, without recourse to their location, place or country of residence.
Another key initiative of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) is the NAS Free Medical Mission (NFMM). This has featured blood donation by Seadogs to various hospital blood banks, donation of drugs and medical equipment to health facilities, payment of medical bills of indigent patients, and conduct of free medical missions by branches of the confraternity.
The key responsibility of the office included developing, organising and strategizing for the growth of the community free medical services. The event was now structured as a quarterly event was held in 2012 at Ogbe Ijaw Community, Warri. This year, four more medical missions will hold and these include Uselu (Edo State) in May, Isara (Ogun State) in July to coincide with the celebration of Professor Wole Soyinka’s 80th birthday.
Speaking about the WS Digital Dialogue, Ide stated that “it is conceived to be a forum for continued discussions and commentaries on topical issues and events affecting our national lives as Nigerians, issues and events of global dimensions, which impact on us individually and collectively as a nation and as a community of humanity.”
The WS Digital Dialogue will set out to develop and facilitate dialogue among citizens and groups. To galvanise public opinion, publicize these opinions and avail government and policy makers of statistical information, arrived at by virtue of the forum’s activities. It will hold quarterly, a guest speaker will headline the issue or subject for the Digital Community to dialogue on.
The institutionalization of an annual public lecture in honor of Professor Wole Soyinka, first African Nobel Laureate for Literature is significant. Wole Soyinka, one of the initiators of the idea of Pyratism, and unarguably the most visible Pyrate since the confraternity’s inception, could be described as the icon of that particular idea and the radical actions that have consistently concretized its essence. Wole Soyinka, the Pyrate’s Pyrate, thinks pyratism, yaps pyratism, lives pyratism, and acts pyratism. One of the greatest gestures, then, that can codify the organization’s show of gratitude for having been a worthy iconoclastic figure is a lecture of this nature.
-Vanguard
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