Ekorians target N2b to develop Abijo site, pledge quality education

As part of efforts to raise the quality of education in the state and also give back to their alma mater, the board of trustees of Eko Boys High School Old Boys Association (EKOBA) has moved to raise the sum of two billion naira for the development of a new site at Abijo corridor, in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos state.

National President of the association, Ekorian, Idowu Sofola, disclosed this during the 105th founders day anniversary of the school held at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja recently. He acknowledged the efforts and lofty gesture of the state government for allocating a large expanse of land in the Abijo Government Reserve Area (GRA) for the building of a first class secondary school when the present school site at Mushin began to show signs of dilapidation few years back.

According to him, “The Lagos State government has challenged us as old boys and beneficiaries of the legacy handed down by erecting on the land an 18 plus one block of classrooms. Therefore, we have gathered with the aim to raise funds to build facilities on the new site such as boarding house, dining hall, staff quarters, additional classroom blocks, laboratories and recreational facilities, among others.

“Our role is to ensure that we keep this legacy that has been handed to us by the founder for the benefit of present and future generation of Nigerians such that whenever the history of our country is written, the name of the school shall be prominently featured.”

He noted that the school sets the record as the first private indigenous, non-denominational secondary school in Nigeria founded 105 years ago by Late Reverend William Benjamin Euba as immediate option of higher school to the indigenes of Lagos (Eko).

He extolled the efforts and support of Late Ekorian Muri Okunola as well as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Babatunde Raji Fashola , Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the Oniru of Iruland, Ekorian Oba Idowu Oniru and other Ekorians for making the celebration and donations achievable.

Also at the event, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule commended the association for their determination to ensure the school’s banner continue to fly high in the state.Adebule who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Yetunde Odejayi, assured the Ekorians that the government would contribute immensely to the project.

Another Ekorian, Funsho Owoyemi, observed that to ensure the school meets the standard of modern day educational pursuit, it is necessary that the members support the government to transform it into a Mega school in accordance with the Mega city agenda.

“I want to assure you that we are ready to willingly lend our support and co-operation to the state government in ensuring that the school provides quality education to the young ones in a bid to continue to prepare them for a life of service just as those of us who are now old boys of this great school,” he said.

He stated that funding of education has gone beyond the responsibility of the government alone, but rather become an enterprise for all concerned stakeholders.

He enjoined some eminent Lagosians from the Eko Boys High School to also be part of the historic efforts to ensure the school’s continuous existence and growth.