The story is that in 1952, while pursuing a degree in English literature, Greek, and Western history at University College Ibadan, Soyinka helped found The National Association of Seadogs (popularly known as the Pyrates Confraternity) with six others
They called themselves “The Magnificent Seven”.
Pyrates was formed as an anti-corruption, human rights and justice-seeking student organization. They operated via peaceful protests against the government and they held annual colloquia (i.e academic conference or seminar)
Their mission statement was “to uphold human dignity and maintaining a just and progressive society shorn of discriminatory and unmeritorious considerations.”
Membership into the confraternity was open to students who were bright academically regardless of their tribe or religion.
