IN remembrance and memorial of the unjustly massacred six members of the National Association of Seadogs, at Oharisi Primary School in Ughelli, the Pyrates confraternity, has laid foundation in their honour at Umalokun Deck, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
It would be recalled that six members of the Pyrates Confraternity, Anthony Teddy Omakor, Princely Otegho Otaye, Aghogho Kester Sobitie, Victor Oyailo, Joseph Uloho and Bernard Obi were brutally murdered by security agents at Oharisi Primary School precisely on December 27, 1983 in Ughelli.
The event which began with a thanksgiving service at St Michael Catholic Church, Otovwodo, was attended by the national president of NAS worldwide, Dr Joseph Oteri, national officers of the Association, members across the globe, friends of the flagship and other dignitaries, including the Very Rev. Fr. Abaka Oghenejode Jnr.
Speaking at the reception held at the NAS Umalokun Deck Ankor Point Pavilion, Ughelli, national president of NAS worldwide, Dr Joseph Oteri said, It is 41-years ago today, when six of our members were gunned down under heinous circumstances and we felt we should do something.
“The memorial Hall which foundation was laid is in their memory and anyone that will enter this place and see the hall will remember that on December 28, 1983, a sad event happened in the history of NAS.
“This hall will make us to continually remember them and keep their memory afresh any day anybody mentioned Umalokun they will know that, that was the event that happened in that year.
“The case of the six members killed is a peculiar sad situation, they were between or less than 30-40 years and somebody just came and gun them down and we will not allow that to go without anybody
“For any NAS members that died in that circumstances,they are always remembered and given this same respect, because death is the worst thing that can happened to Seadogs and many Seadog that has been incarcerated in different prisons have been recognized.
“On his his part, President of Umalokun Deck, Mr Clement Ikpedia said, “The essence of this ceremony is to honour some of our members that were brutally killed by the Nigeria police in 1983, and we are immortalizing them by organizing an annual memorial.
“The building foundation that was laid is to remember them and act as museum where their pictures be displayed as a reminder to old and incoming members.
Also speaking, Very Rev. Fr. Abaka Ambrose Oghenejode said, “The assessment of NAS from the very beginning, it was created by some Nigerians headed by Prof Wole Soyinka, a very intelligent and hardworking great Nigerians that added value to the Nigerian universities system.
“It is quite unfortunate that these persons were killed for over fourty years ago and the system has not changed, and many innocent Nigerians have been just like them without verifying every situation.
“It would have been better if the police were invited to witness,know and be educated on how to respond to issues and find out anytime they are called before shedding innocent blood.
“From the very beginning, the NAS wanted a change and transformation in the system as at them and today they have added value and creates impact their abodes and various profession.
“In my take, they are on course and they are following the mission and objectives of the Confraternity and it is only the NAS that can bring about the change and the transformation we needed in this country.
“This country cannot change except through a revolution and we need that change and transformation by implementing the decisions of constitutional conference for the common good, advancement and development of our country.
“I see this confraternity as the only body that can bring about that change and transformation we deserved in this country” he stated
Highlight of the event was commissioning of Umalokun Deck Ankor and presentation of cheque to family members of the honoured fallen members.
