The National Association of Seadogs (a.k.a Pyrates Confraternity), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize economic prosperity, security of life and property, provision of affordable and quality education, adequate and affordable healthcare service delivery among others.
The Pyrates Confraternity in a statement issued by Capoon Olufemi Adesope, the National Association of Seadogs (Jolly Rogers Deck) while commemorating Nigerians on the occasion of June 12 Democracy Day, 2024 urged President Tinubu to focus on people’s oriented policies and projects in order to lift Nigerians from poverty to prosperity.
A copy of the statement made available to Naijanewshub online Newspaper in Ibadan the Capital City of Oyo State on Thursday stated that, “President Tinubu must realize that economic prosperity, security of life and properties, provision of affordable education, and good healthcare systems should be the hallmarks of building a one united Nigeria.”
“We joined hands with governments at all levels, government agencies, other MDAs, the civil society organizations and community groups across various backgrounds to felicitate with all peoples and institutions on this year celebration of Democracy Day.”
“As a society – focused organization, the National Association of Seadogs found this year Democracy Day as the most significant point of reference and beckon of hope for Nigeria’s projected development.”
“While June 12 serves as a continuous reminder to Nigerians on the imperative of pursing the cause of justice in all spheres of life as a necessary condition for peace and progress, the government should also renew its commitment to utilizing democracy as a vehicle for eliminating poverty, and strife from the Nigerian state so that at the end Peace, Justice and Security and economic development will be evident in every community, local government areas and states in particular.”
“It is important to say unequivocally that Nigeria still remain a beckon of respect and hope to other African countries for staying 25 years after return to civil rule, and without any form of military hijack or coup de tats. Since our return to civil rule in May, 1999, we have continued to develop our democratic institutions and build our civil societies in tandem with basic needs of survival and living prosperously as a country, even despite our varying ethnic backgrounds and cultural diversity.”
“Nigerians are today marking the longest continuous civilian rule since Nigeria’s independence in 1960. In view of the importance of June 12 in the history of Nigeria, former President Muhammadu Buhari on 6th June 2018, set aside this day June 12 of every year as Nigeria’s democracy day.”
“We will also like to remember the June 12, 2023 Democracy Day celebration of President Tinubu, who was barely 2 weeks in office. It was on record that President Tinubu made his unequivocal point about the struggle against the annulment of the June 12 elections.”
“In his words, President Tinubu stated that “the democracy that will yield the right dividends to the people who are shareholders means more than just freedom of choice and the rights to get people into elective offices. It means social and economic justice for the people” and it was this reason that MKO Abiola believed that democracy offered the best chance to fight and eliminate poverty.”
“Generally, Democracy Day carries huge significance for many Nigerians. It was on this date in 1993 that a general election was held for the first time since the 1993 military coup, which toppled the democratically elected government of late President Shehu Shagari.”
“In the eyes of many of us and the international community, June 12, 1993 election was the freest, fairest, and most peaceful election ever held in Nigeria. It was an election that an estimated 14 million Nigerians set aside any ethnic, religious, class and regional affiliations, to elect their president with the hope of ending several years of military dictatorship. Unfortunately, the euphoria was short-lived, the election results were never released till today.”
“As much as Nigerians celebrate what June 12 represents in our history today, Nigerians must not lose sight of the inherent lessons in the June 12 struggle.”
“The spirit of June 12 was known for fairness, equity, and Justice; this we believe should form the fulcrum of governance in today Nigeria.” The statement concluded.