Funmi Ogundare
The King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) class of 97 has expressed its determination to intervene and advocate for issues on justice sector reforms; quality education, as well as free and qualitative healthcare with a view to positively impact the society.
The pro-term Chairman, Mr. Akin Rotimi, who made this known recently at the 20th anniversary dinner of the association held at the college hall, expressed concern that the country is confronted with violent extremism and ultra-nationalistic agitations, just as he disclosed that the association has secured the release of 30 prisoners needlessly incarcerated and paid the hospital bill of a number of patients who are now well but held because of their inability to pay.
He said the move was to commemorate its anniversary and in collaboration with a non-profit organisation, the Angle Project, adding that it has finalised the paperwork and met the financial bail conditions of the prisoners.
“The twin evils of incompetence and corruption have become our culture and continue to undermine our institutions and daily lives. Poverty has been weaponised to keep our people in perpetual servitude and dependency on stomach infrastructure. A small circle of political elite have been foisted on us, most of them bereft of neither ideology nor a commitment to the common good. This is why we are leveraging this season to refocus on our obligations to KC and the larger society.â€
Other projects the association embarked on include renovation and equipping a model classroom complete with smart boards and inverters for back-up power supply; facilitating the support of the Lagos State cricket association for the construction of a new cricket pitch in the college; as well as the donation of equipment and kits.
“In addition, a cricket coach has been engaged to train the boys twice a week. For this we are grateful to KCOBA Kofi Sagoe, Chairman of the LSCA for aligning with our vision and making this happen.â€
He lauded the efforts of former teachers and non-academic staff that were at the programme to celebrate with the association, saying, “teachers play a crucial role in society. The noble occupation is undertaken by volunteer spirits for whom personal gain is not the cardinal consideration for enlisting in the corps of those on whose shoulders the task of building future generations rests.â€
Rotimi expressed the association’s determination to position its members for greater positions of authority in politics and governance; commerce and enterprise; as well as every sphere of human endeavour.
The keynote speaker and past president of KCOBA, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, who spoke about ownership of primary and secondary education by the state government, noted that the issue of restructuring has been disjointed.
He said the federal government had usurped the powers of state governments by interfering in primary and secondary education and health, housing and local government creation and administration, adding that this was an against the country’s constitution.
Okunnu added that in the past, the federal government was only entitled to 20 per cent of federal allocation while the states took 50 per cent based on their functions, but that up till now, the functions had not changed, yet the revenue allocation formula had changed to the advantage of the federal government.
The acting Principal and Chemistry teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Ibezim thanked the old boys for their support.
