Wole Soyinka says NAS secretariat will strengthen humanitarian services, advocacy initiatives

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ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka says the new secretariat of the National Association of Seadogs will strengthen humanitarian services, expand charitable interventions and deepen social advocacy across communities.

Soyinka spoke on Friday during the foundation-laying ceremony of the association’s secretariat at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attended by members of the association, business leaders and invited guests.

He said the facility would serve as a permanent base for coordinating outreach, education and advocacy programmes, while also helping to address public misconceptions about the organisation.

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According to Soyinka, members must continue to uphold the association’s core values of discipline, integrity and service in all its activities.

“Your work already speaks for itself,” Soyinka said, commending the association’s sustained humanitarian interventions and public enlightenment campaigns across the country.

The Nobel Laureate also praised the chamber, describing it as a leading institution in economic development and private sector representation with a strong record of supporting enterprise growth.

President of the chamber, Chief Emeka Obegolu, welcomed Soyinka and members of the association, applauding their contributions through humanitarian services, advocacy and public enlightenment initiatives.

Obegolu highlighted the association’s interventions, including medical outreach programmes, charity drives, environmental sanitation campaigns, and the promotion of human rights, social justice and good governance.

He said the initiatives had improved community welfare, raised public awareness and encouraged responsible citizenship and national development, particularly in underserved communities.

According to him, the association’s activities complement government programmes while promoting civic responsibility and inclusive participation in national development efforts.

Obegolu also urged members to strengthen collaboration with the chamber, which he described as the voice of Nigeria’s private sector with more than 16 sectoral groups.

He noted that stronger partnerships would enhance impact, create opportunities for joint programmes and broaden the reach of both organisations’ initiatives.