SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 4, 2014, PAGE 51 japhdave@yahoo.com 08056402376
WS@80: Pyrates Confraternity rolls out drums By JAPHET ALAKAM CELEBRATION
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frican’s first Nobel Laureate for Litera ture, Prof. Wole Soyinka will be 80 in July and as the entire world rolls out drum to celebrate him, the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has mapped out its own plans for a unique celebration of the literary icon whom they described as one of the initiators of the idea of Pyratism, and unarguably the most visible Pyrate since the confraternity’s inception. Addressing the press at the formal presentation of the dedicated Website of the Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture Series sponsored and organized by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), in Lagos Ide Owodiong-Idemeko NAS Cap’n disclosed that this years celebration will be special and symbolic in many respects. It will start with The Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture Series, a conception of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), dedicated to
honouring one of Nigeria and Africa’s most outstanding and enduring literary icons: Professor Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate). The Lecture Series, which is an annual event, holds in the month of July and is aimed at promoting good governance, social justice and the advancement of democratic ideals in Nigeria and beyond. Since its inception, lectures have been held in three continents around the world (Africa, Europe and North America). According to him, this year’s lecture which is the 17th in the Series is significant and symbolic in many respects. It coincides with Prof Wole Soyinka’s 80th birthday and the centenary of Ni-
11, 2014 at the Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State at 10:00am. The lecture will be delivered by two great and inspiring Nigerians, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto and Dr. Oby Ezekwesili of the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI), Open Society Foundation and co-founder of Transparency International. The body also announced the establishment of the Wole Soyinka Award for Humanistic Ideals aimed at celebrating individuals or organisations who have undertaken activity or action that has provided solution to a public service prob-
The Wole Soyinka lecture series is aimed at promoting good governance, social justice and the advancement of democratic ideals in Nigeria and beyond
geria’s existence as a country. The Lecture with the theme “This House Must Not Fall -Renegotiating Nigeria’s Social Contract after 100 Years of Nationhood”is scheduled to hold on Friday July
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lem or addressed social injustice within a community or state. The Wole Soyinka Award for Humanistic Ideals would be
•Prof. Wole Soyinka awarded by an Independent Award Committee composed of eminent figures, accomplished professionals in their chosen fields of endeavour. It will attract a cash award of US$ 6,000.00 (Six Thousand United States Dollars) with a commemorative plaque and would be awarded to
individuals and organisations who meet the pre-set qualification criteria, without recourse to their location, place or country of residence. Another key initiative of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) is the NAS Free Medical Mission (NFMM). This has featured blood donation by Seadogs to various hospital blood banks, donation of drugs and medical equipment to health facilities, payment of medical bills of indigent patients, and conduct of free medical missions by branches of the confraternity. The key responsibility of the office included developing, organising and strategizing for the growth of the community free medical services. The event was now structured as a quarterly event was held in 2012 at Ogbe Ijaw Community, Warri. This year, four more medical missions will hold and these include Uselu (Edo State) in May, Isara (Ogun State) in July to coincide with the celebration of Professor Wole Soyinka’s 80th birthday. Speaking about the WS Digital Dialogue, Ide stated that “it is conceived to be a forum for continued discussions and commentaries on topical issues and events affecting our national lives as Nigerians, issues and events of global dimensions, which impact on us individually and collectively as a nation and as a community of humanity.” The WS Digital Dialogue will set out to develop and facilitate dialogue among citizens and groups. To galvanise public opinion, publicize these opinions and avail government and policy makers of statistical information, arrived at by virtue of the forum’s activities. It will hold quarterly, a guest speaker will headline the issue or subject for the Digital Community to dialogue on.
Drinking from Oba Erediauwa’s fountain of ideas
By R.N. GODWINS REVIEW
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he book, titled, Resolv ing Boundary Disputes, written by ThankGod George Ekine and published by Pearl Publishers, Port Harcourt is timely since the timing and theme of this latest book is very auspicious, coming at a time when the city of Port Harcourt is on the global book stage as the World Book Capital. It is a 260 paged collection and display of facts on boundary disputes resolution. The forward to the book was brilliantly written by our own dear Deputy Governor, and Chairman of the Rivers State Boundary Committee, His Excellency, Engr. (Sir) Tele Ikuru, FNSE. Structured into nine Chapters with two tables of Cases, and of Statutes; a Bibliography, an Index, and an Annexure of the National Boundary Commission Act (2006) – the book deals with the distinct, critical issues associated with boundary disputes, and the techniques for resolving such disputes. The book’s Table of cases parades a total of seventeen local and foreign judgments; as well as eighteen statutes, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the United Nations
Charter. The first chapter of the book introduces the notion of boundary in real estate vis-à-vis the underlining concepts of interests, rights and benefits- all of which fall under the broad gamut of ownership. In the second chapter of the book, which deals with Classification of Boundaries, the author defines boundaries, and their different classifications. Here, the author highlights the challenges of Border Demarcation, and the applicable principles for demarcation.
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he third chapter of the book traces to 1914, Nigeria’s Boundary Problems, when the amalgamated nation inherited what the League of Nations left of the territory after the scramble for Africa in 1885 till 1914 upon the amalgamation of the Lagos colony with the Southern and Northern Protectorates. The fourth Chapter of the book examines the vexed issue of Boundary Delimitation against the background of Internal boundaries, Boundary delimitations and demarcation etc and an over–view of the salient provisions of the National Boundary Commission (Establishment) Act (No.12 of 2006). An appraisal of the international legal framework which defines and regulates maritime boundaries, and the acceptable
methods for resolving disputes arising from such boundaries, under the broad subject of the Law of the Sea, as contained in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982- is the thrust of the fifth Chapter of the book. Conflict Resolution Techniques are broadly examined under the Sixth Chapter of the book, while chapter seven discusses the specific Role of Traditional Institution in Governance, and Boundary Dispute Resolution. The next chapter critically reviews the Lessons from the
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How ttoo resolve boundar boundaryy disputes in Nigeria
The book deals with the distinct, critical issues associated with b o u n d a r y disputes, and the techniques for resolving such disputes
based thereon, and unambiguously faults the judgment. The author in the last chapter postulates a working template for effective Boundary Conflict Resolution. Premised upon the disputed Soku oil wells between Bayelsa and Rivers State, he brilliantly analyses the interplay of critical factors, which may warrant the decision to intervene in a boundary conflict; and proposes a template which may be developed from certain parameters. Thus, “Resolving Boundary Disputes is a must read for all as all humans are always confronted by the problem of boundary dislocation and ambiguities.
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Bakassi Peninsular case. Tracing the origin of the Bakassi Peninsular to Nigeria, and the curious circumstances of the protracted diplomatic dispute between the two neighbouring countries, over the rich peninsular; and the unfavourable judgment of the International Court against Nigeriathe author exhaustively analyses the facts of the dispute, and the Court’s decision
Resolving Boundary Disputes; Thankgod George Ekine; Pearl Publishers, Port Hacourt, Nigeria; PP. 260 ;