King’s College Lagos PTA rejects take over plan by old boys

The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of King’s College Lagos on Saturday unanimously rejected the Federal Government’s approval to concession the institution to its Old Boys Association (KCOBA) to take over the running of the college.

King’s College Lagos, one of the country’s foremost all boys dual campus Unity College, was established by an Act of Parliament (in Britain) on September 20 1909.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls the Federal Government recently approved the concession of the 116 year-old institution to its old boys association.

The KCOBA described the move as the beginning of a new era for one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious secondary schools.

Speaking at the college’s PTA Annual General Meeting, the parents unanimously rejected the move, while appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the approval.

Nkiru Ikechukwu, a parent, urged the Old Boys to invest more in the institution, and monitor and supervise its finances as a way of giving back, if they felt the standard was depreciating rather than outright take over.

Ikechukwu said: “If this should be allowed to happen, I dare say that it will trickle down to all other unity colleges in the country and by way of extension also federal institutions of higher learning across the country.

“It will also affect the fees. 

“Currently, several parents are still struggling to meet up with the fees, talk more of when it is taken over by a set of individuals,

“This college is one college that provides a level platform for all categories of students irrespective of their social background or religion.

“It allows students to bond well with one another, promoting unity in diversity, irrespective of class or status of their parents or guardians. 

“So, we are saying a vehement no to the move.”

Ikechukwu asserted that King’s College was a brand, a household name that gave equal opportunity to any Nigerian child who craved for quality education at heavily subsided rate.

Loveth Nimkur-Ikilama, a teacher, said the move was against the mission of the founding fathers and therefore should not be sustained.

Nimkur-Ikilama said: “I am a product of Unity College myself.

“We enjoyed all it had to offer at the time and I am also convinced all those planning this move also enjoyed the privileges attached to it.

“I am also sure that if allowed, with time, the concession can result in privatisation, which will in one way or the other affect the teachers and, of course, the fees will skyrocket.

“This, too, to a large extent, may also see a lot of indigent but brilliant students drop out of school.

“Therefore, we are saying no to the move.”

Adewunmi Adeola, a parent, urged stakeholders of Kings College Lagos to reject plans to concession the federal unity college to private managers, KCOBA.

She recalled that the school was founded on excellence and national integration, open to children from all parts of Nigeria, hence the need to uphold the objectives.

Noting the dilapidated infrastructure and reoccurring bedbug infestation, Adeola said this should attract increased government funding and supervision, not concession/privatisation.

She said: “We must be truthful to ourselves.

“This is our national identity.

“Parents and alumni are ready to support the school without surrendering it to concession.”

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖