Amid the King’s College concession plan and the government’s efforts to restore peace among unions and concerned individuals, one of the key members of the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) and Chairman of the King’s Week 117th Founder’s Anniversary, Mr Gbolahan Olayomi, has revealed that old boys are ashamed to see their alma mater being stripped of its honour when they walk through the streets of Lagos.
The interview, which was aired on News Central’s Jasiri Show, had the chairman shedding more light on the plan, funding, school fees, management, staffing and other major areas concerning the college as the concession process continues.
However, this article provides you with a 10-point summary you probably haven’t read anywhere before.
1. The Old Boys Are Ashamed
In the interview, the chairman said that the old boys were ashamed to see the King’s man identity being taken away and stripped through the dressing of King’s College students.
“We are ashamed when we walk the streets of Lagos and we see the King’s College boys so badly dressed,” he said.
2. School Fees Remain the Same
Olayomi specifically stated that the school fees will remain the same for the current set of students and incoming ones. He assured that the college will still be open to prospective students regardless of their social and financial background.
“So in our own words, absolutely. A child who is in King’s College today will be able to graduate, similar fees as he is paying at the moment, through out his tenure. The fees will be benchmarked against whatever unity colleges are paying.”
3. Is King’s College for Sale?
During the interview, the chairman stated clearly that the college is not for sale.
“King’s College is not for sale. Old boys of King’s College have no intention of buying any property or buying any asset.”
4. The King’s College Old Boys Are on a Rescue Mission
According to the chairman, the state of the school made the alumni fear that the school might be completely eroded. He further clarified that the association stepped in not to buy, but to reshape it for the younger generation.
“We do not want to buy because we do not want to own our school. But we can shape this for our children. One of my biggest pains in life is that my son didn’t go to King’s College.”
5. No Process Was Done in Secrecy
Mr Gbolahan maintained that no process was done in secrecy and that the old boys had followed due process in putting the concession in place.
He buttressed his claim by saying that the association is free to answer any questions regarding the concession and will be willing to tweak anything necessary in the plan.
“There is nothing hidden about it. It is an absolutely transparent agreement and, like it is said before, the honour of a King’s man is that you will never find our hands in anything that isn’t going through a proper process.”
6. King’s College Accepts All
The chairman revealed that during his days in the school, he had been in class with foreign students learning together without any racial discrimination.
“Absolutely white kids. Christopher Crawls was my classmate. He is in Amsterdam. Professor Gina is in the UK. It was good enough for white kids to sit with us in the class.”
7. Where Will the Old Boys Get Money to Manage King’s College?
This is a question that has been on many people’s minds.
Olayomi said there is an endowment fund plan to raise N100 billion, which will be managed by the King’s College Education Trust.
According to him:
“We are on our way to raising that money already, because this is serious business for the old boys. And it’s not the old boys that will run the school. It’s going to be run through a vehicle called King’s College Education Trust.
“It’s a company limited by guarantee. It is going to oversee the day-to-day management of the college.”
8. What Happens When the Fund Falls Short?
The chairman answered that the association has done its homework and is fully aware of what it takes to rescue the old college.
“We have done our homework. We have our processes cut out. King’s men, we are process-driven. We don’t leave anything to chance. We look at everything from end to end.”
9. What’s the Plan for the Next Generation of King’s College Boys?
“We want them to be absolutely globally competitive,” the member of the KCOBA simply responded.
10. What Will Be the Fate of the Employees?
No staff member will lose his or her job, according to the member of the KCOBA.
“Not a single staff will lose their job because they are employees of the federal civil service.”
In another statement, he reiterated the stance on the staff members:
“We are going to have one set of employees, but when the Education Trust takes over, everyone moves to it. But if you choose not to, you move out of college through transfer. Everyone came on a transfer. Even the principal is a transferred staff. So you can be transferred out.”
As discussions continue among the government, alumni, parents, teachers and other stakeholders, the details of the proposed arrangement remain central to the ongoing conversation around King’s College.
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