KINGS COLLEGE CONCESSION: PARENTS, STUDENTS REJECT FG PLAN, VOW LEGAL ACTION
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Parents and students of King’s College, Lagos, have kicked against the Federal Government’s proposed concession of the 116-year-old institution to the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA).
The protesters also threatened to approach the court and block the school’s resumption for the new academic session, scheduled for September 13, until the government addresses their concerns.
Hundreds of parents and students staged a peaceful demonstration on Thursday, marching from the school’s entrance through major roads on Lagos Island, including routes linking the Tinubu-Shettima presidential campaign office in Marina to Tafawa Balewa Square and the National Museum.
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The protesters displayed placards with messages including, “King’s College is not for sale. Beware!!!” and “Federal Government, we say no to concession.”
Speaking during the protest, the Chairman of the school’s Parents Teachers Association, Peter Oluwaleye, said parents had repeatedly expressed their opposition to the proposed concession through letters to the Ministry of Education and the Presidency, but had received no response.
Oluwaleye criticised the KCOBA over claims that it now owns the institution, describing such a position as unacceptable.
He argued that the old students should concentrate on supporting the school rather than taking over its management.
The PTA chairman also questioned the capacity of the association to manage an institution of King’s College’s size and reputation under the proposed 35-year concession.
He said the parents had resolved to seek legal redress and would oppose the school’s resumption until they received clarification from the Ministry of Education.
The protest comes amid opposition from the Nigeria Labour Congress to the proposed concession of federal unity colleges across the country.
In July, KCOBA President, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, announced that the Federal Government had conceded King’s College to the association, describing the development as the beginning of a new era for the institution.
The old boys’ association has reportedly launched a N100 billion endowment fund aimed at repositioning the school through infrastructure development, teacher training, digital technology, scholarships, research, innovation and improved student welfare.
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