YABATECH secondary school alumni stage groundbreaking comeback

Bring Diaspora, national fresh breath to alma mater

The alumni of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Old Secondary School, Lagos, are set to embark on a revolutionary homecoming.

The event, which is being organised with the authorities of YABATECH, Lagos, where a courtesy visit will be paid, is slated for July 29, 2023, and will be a special occasion for memoirs and reliving of old times.

The event will also mark the 50th anniversary of the school’s closure, although a similar secondary school (staff school) bearing same name sits in its place today.

The defunct school has formed thousands of people, who are accomplished in many areas of life. Over the years, the alumni have demonstrated commitment to the development of the secondary school which has built a reputation as the parent College, opened in 1947 as Nigeria’s first higher institution.

Spokesperson for the alumni, Lawrence Daria, who spoke about the planned homecoming, said members include mainly those within the country and others in the Diaspora, especially those who concluded their studies in the school between 1969 and 1970, and are well experienced in business, civil service, manufacturing and entrepreneurship, would continue to give back to the society.

According to him, the homecoming will also feature workshops, the presentation of gifts and exchange of ideas about the plans of the alumni. It is an opportunity for other institutions, well-meaning Nigerians and the gentlemen of the press to join the veterans in the homecoming to contribute in telling the story of what appears to be a history-making event.

Meanwhile, Daria has expressed the preparedness of the alumni to engage the incoming Federal government on how to harness the talents of Diaspora Nigerians for development.

He also urged relevant agencies to work closely with the civil society to develop the education sector by giving opportunities to those with the mindset and resources to help the sector.