• Appeals to church on land dispute
Methodist Boys High school old students association has mapped out a 10-year plan to address the infrastructural needs of the school as part of efforts to boost learning and reposition it to meet current trends.
Speaking at this year’s founder’s day, the President of the old boys association, Mr. Kolapo Sogbetun, listed some of the facilities lacking in the school as students classrooms, hostel blocks to admitting about 750 students, staff quarters, computer and electronic laboratory, sports field as well as theatre arts and museum departments, among others.
Sogbetun also appealed to authorities of Methodist Church to partner with the association in its efforts at putting up projects that would benefit the students and assist the school in regaining its lost glory.
According to the report, sometimes in 2012, the church had attempted to plunder part of the property (measuring about two acres) of the school for commercial purposes, which is non-educational.
But Sogbetun, at the 144th Founder’s Day celebration of the school, faulted the church, describing the action as a clear violation of the purpose of educational use stated in the Certificate of Occupancy.
He said: “There is a dispute between us and Methodist Church. As a matter of fact, we are sitting on 5.77 hectares extending to Kuramo waters. There is a portion of land, which they have said they wanted to use to construct luxury flats, and we are saying no because we will not take such other than for educational purposes. We objected to the erection of the luxury flats, and they stopped.”
“The school is the second oldest in the country; and because of trespassers who have come round, we have been restricted to 3.77 hectares, and we appeal to the church to partner us in progress, so that we can see to the building of all the projects in this school,” Sogbetun stated.
He noted that the alumni have been advised by the Attorney General to refer the matter to a court of arbitration (ADR).
“We do not want our property or assets of the school to be used for commercial purposes, which might eventually be turned into brothel. It’s going to be an eyesore. We have a piece of land left, and we don’t want any encroachment by the church,” the president said.
