General News
THE National Association of Seadogs (NAS) in Bayelsa (Pyrates Confraternity) says it will join forces with civil society groups in Bayelsa to tackle drug abuse, cultism and prison congestion in the state.
Mr Timothy Egbonoje, Leader of NAS, said this on Friday in Yenagoa while unveiling its humanitarian advocacy plan for August, 2024 to July, 2025 to journalists and other stakeholders.
Egbonoje said the civil society groups included journalists, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bayelsa Non-Governmental Organizations Forum (BANGOF) and the other 40 active NGOs.
Egbonoje pointed out that the aim was to correct the mindset of the populace about the confraternity and its activities.
Egbonoje explained that part of the new plan was to engage in medical outreach, seminars, sensitization , counseling programme in schools, health awareness for girl-child, among others.
He said the group would collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yearly to sensitize youths on the danger of drug abuse.
“We are also planning to collaborate with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to hasten the process of justice due to undue delay in the dispensation of justice.We believe in the protection of citizens rights.
“Every year we take it upon ourselves to carryout medical missions in all the three senatorial districts in Bayelsa amongst other engagement.
“The association is open to every members of the public. We are not into any secret things or evil agenda,” he said
On the campaigns against cultism in schools, Egbonoje said, “We don’t take campaigns to campuses to avoid our intention being misconstrued.”
He said the past calender year had been fulfilling for NAS, also known as Ox-Bow Lake Marine Deck in Bayelsa.
He said the confraternity embarked on medical missions, blood donations at the Federal Medical Centre, Anti-Drug Abuse campaign, seminars, counseling programmes in schools and health awareness campaign for the girl-child.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the CLO in Bayelsa, Comrade David West welcomed the proposed new partnership with the leadership of NAS in the state.
West said with the hands of fellowship from NAS, the protection of human rights and justice was assured.
Comrade Tari Boco of the BANGOF also expressed confidence on the successes of the proposed partnership with NAS and suggested the leadership of the OX-Bow Marine Deck furnished the NGOs with its proposed plans on time. (NAN)
23rd August, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: BANGOF Bayelsa Non-Governmental Organizations Forum Civil Liberties Organisation CLO NAS National Association of Seadogs NBA Nigerian Bar Association Timothy Egbonoje
