Pyrates Confraternity not secret cult — Wole Soyinka

Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka dispelled misconceptions surrounding the Pyrates Confraternity on Friday, emphasising that the registered organisation, far from being a blood-thirsty secret cult, is dedicated to advocating for justice and the betterment of Nigeria.

He also described corruption as a deadly cankerworm that devastates nations and disadvantages their people.

He emphasised that winning the war against corruption in Nigeria requires a collective attitudinal change and a readiness to do the right thing.

Soyinka made these remarks at the 26th Annual Wole Soyinka Lecture, organised by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) to mark his 90th birthday.

The event took place at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, with the theme, “The Baby or the Bathwater: Navigating the Dark Tunnels of Systemic Corruption to Nationhood.”

While commenting on the lecture delivered by former Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, Soyinka highlighted that corruption in Nigeria runs from the top to the bottom, affecting the entire fabric of society.

He underscored the necessity of a collective decision to stop its detrimental effects.

“The particular aspect of this lecture that struck me is corruption. Corruption is not just when you exchange money; it is a cankerworm that eats deep into the fabric of society from the top to the bottom and corrupts our very nature and our very existence.

“And one aspect of the lecture emphasised that the cure for corruption begins from the inside. Yes, we can talk about institutions, government, and the exercise of power unfairly and inordinately to the disadvantage of the rest of the community as part of corruption, but ultimately, the solution, both short-term and long-term, must begin from the inside, and this is one of the motives for establishing the Pyrates Confraternity 62 years ago.”

He, along with former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, later unveiled a book titled “Ship Ahoy,” documenting the 60-year history of the confraternity.

In his lecture, Mr Babatunde Fashola lauded Soyinka as a gift not only to Nigeria and Africa but to civilisation as a whole.

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