National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as Pyrates Confraternity, has appealed to all belligerent non-state actors in Nigeria to lay down their arms and embrace all the efforts to achieve peace throughout the country.
The Confraternity noted that insurgent groups such as the Boko Haram, Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) should take urgent steps to renounce violence and stop wanton killing of innocent Nigerians while the security agencies and the armed forces should adopt measures that will effectively check the nefarious activities of bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements throughout the country.
The Katamaran Deck of the Pyrates Confraternity comprising Ijebu-Ode and Remo lands with Secretariat in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, made this appeal in a press statement to commemorate the 2023 International Day of Peace.
The Confraternity further enjoined Nigerians of all ethnic and religious backgrounds to ensure the maintenance of peaceful coexistence throughout the country.
It stated that the embrace of peace by the insurgent and agitating groups in both the North and Southern parts of the country would give the necessary room for peace building efforts of both government and non-governmental organisations to be felt. The theme of this year’s International Day of Peace is “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals.”
Capoon of the Katamaran Deck, Mr Olugbenga Otunba Payne, who stated this, expressed regrets that the rights of citizens in some parts of the country are still being curtailed and their lives even cut short through the activities of these armed groups and other criminal elements, thus constantly posing serious threats to the establishment and maintenance of peace throughout Nigeria.
This, he said, has accounted for the millions of Internally Displaced Persons in refugees camps across Nigeria.
He, therefore, stated that all hands must be on the deck to achieve peace in our communities throughout Nigeria in order to promote progress and development, which are the major aims and objectives of democratic governance.
He warned that lack of peace and existence of social vices would only promote and aggravate chaos in the society.
Otunba Payne argued that peace remained the only panacea for Socio-economic and political developments in all parts of the world and Nigerians must realise this fact and embrace peace so that the country can continue its advancement towards development without any let or hindrance.
He also urged all Nigerians to strive to be advocates for peace at all times in the corporate interest of the Nigerian nation.
The Confraternity added that in the absence of peace, there will be no harmonious relationships between the various ethnic and religious groups in the country and this might hinder the achievement of meaningful development of Nigeria.
It therefore expressed its total commitment to the promotion of peace and unity among the various ethnic groups in Nigeria.
The statement partly read, “For us as members of the Pyrates Confraternity, the International Day of Peace is a very important day to us. This is because we are known to have always advocated for peace amongst all peoples of the entire world, without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, religion and what have you.
“Our focus has always been the promotion of global peace. We want the entire human race to be at peace with one another at all times for a better world for all to live in.
“So, all Nigerians should appreciate peace, embrace peace and work for peace in our various communities. It’s time those Boko Haram insurgents and bandits in the North, as well as IPOB agitators in the South-East laid down their arms and embrace peace in the interest of the Nigerian nation and posterity. All these killings and incessant violence they inflict on innocent citizens at will won’t take them anywhere. Rather, they’ll continue to set the nation and entire humanity backwards.
“Let’s all become peace ambassadors today for a peaceful and better tomorrow for our country and all citizens as well as for posterity.”
