By Jeremiah Urowayino

National Association of Seadogs, better known as Pyrates Confraternity, has urged children at the Juvenile Correctional Centre for Boys at Oregun, Lagos, to be law abiding when they are freed from detention, and insisted that they must take their skills acquisition training seriously to enable them become useful to society when released.

NAS Festac and Ikeja chapters, in collaboration with Chigozie Frank Foundation and Nnamdi Uzokwe Foundation, also reiterated that their rights as children were protected by the law despite all obstacles the laws might be facing.

They spoke during a joint visit to the centre in commemoration of the World Human Rights Day 2024.

President of NAS, Festac Chapter, Mr Obinna Chukwukere; immediate past National President of NAS,  Mr Abiola Owoaje; Project Managers of both chapters, Mr Oladipo Olayiwola, and Mr Olubukola Oyekunle; as well as other executives of both chapters were present.

Speaking on the lecture themed: ‘Challenges Inherent in Juvenile Justice Administration in Nigeria and the Way Forward,’ the Resource Person, Mr Nnamdi Uzokwe, identified the problems of the system and the rights of minors as contained in the Child Right Act and Children and Young People’s Law.

Uzokwe, however, reminded them that their rights as children were well-protected before the law, urging them to be lawful and resist social pressures from peers to avoid returning to the facility in the future.

Also speaking, Chukwukere urged them to jettison crime and remain steadfast, saying they must prioritise focusing on their personal and career development while obeying the laws of the land.

On his part, Owoaje urged them to remain law abiding, take their skills acquisition training seriously, noting that members of NAS would be willing to employ them if they emerged successful in their training and subsequently acquired freedom.

Meanwhile, NAS also disclosed that plans were in full gear to commence the second leg of the visit which would include rendering of pro bono legal services to some of the boys to ensure their release.