Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, have urged the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) to leverage its network of intellectuals, experts and professionals produced by the institution over the years to address the challenges confronting the college.

They said the school, once an epitome of educational excellence and a beacon among secondary schools in the country, must continue to uphold its high standards and preserve its legacy.

Alausa, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Salisu Shehu, spoke at the 117th Annual Founders’ Day Lecture and Anniversary Ball of King’s College, Lagos, held at the weekend.

He said the designation of King’s College as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was one of the legacies earned through its significant role and status in Nigeria’s education system.

“Specifically, it has set standard best practices pertaining to different aspects of secondary education in Nigeria. It also maintains a strong foundation for successful tertiary education in Nigeria. Certainly, these best practices constitute a hallmark of excellence and achievements that are manifested and are lasting,” he said.

The minister, who expressed concern over the declining standard of learning in federal and state secondary schools, said the learning crisis was gradually becoming endemic.

He urged the alumni to deploy their ideas, expertise and resources to develop impactful solutions to the challenges confronting the college.

He said: “The college provided a good example of teacher capacity and functional capability that is geared towards human, capital and national development. Now, what challenges does this legacy pose to you? The challenge is always inside. How would you make sure that that professional excellence, that you are known to, is taken further?”

Alausa said the legacy built by the college over the years constituted a challenge to its alumni, particularly as the institution prepared to undergo a leadership transformation.

He urged them to protect the legacy, which he described as a product of history and an institution of ideas, actions, values and tangible achievements that had shaped best practices in Nigeria’s secondary education system.

On his part, Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Lagos State Head of Service, Bode Agoro, said the alumni had an important role to play in addressing the challenges confronting the college.

He urged the old boys to explore ways of incorporating artificial intelligence, digital technology, new inventions and robotics into the school’s curriculum to create new opportunities for future generations of students.

“KCOBA must ensure that the next generation inherits not just the knowledge, but an even stronger institution,” he added.

Sanwo-Olu commended the leadership of KCOBA for its interventions in the college and its resolve to take responsibility for the institution, saying such efforts would help reshape the school in line with the vision of its founders.

In his keynote address, the pastor of Trinity House, Lagos, Ituah Ighodalo, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving the concession framework that would allow the association to take charge of the affairs of the school.

He also expressed the association’s willingness and capacity to fulfil the conditions contained in the agreement.
Ighodalo, however, acknowledged concerns among parents and members of the public over the development.

“It’s unfortunate that the parents and some of the public do not understand exactly what is going on. They are frightened, they are worried, they think that the rules are wrong, they think that we’re going to make it difficult for the children of the household to attend King’s College,” he said.