Speeches

Benefit Dinner In Support Of King’s College, Lagos

Mar 14, 2009 - Once again, it is my pleasure to join the entire membership of King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) in celebrating the Alma Mater that nurtured them from boyhood into the men of substance that they have become in the society. Indeed, it is commendable, that, as a body you have deemed it appropriate to support the institution that gave you sustenance in your impressionable age by raising funds for a complete rehabilitation of physical infrastructure in the king’s College which, over the years, has deteriorated to an abysmal level.

May, I, therefore, welcome eminent dignitaries here present including His Excellency, General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, and former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dr. Sam Egwu, Honourable Minister for Education and former Governor of Ebonyi State. The guest speaker at this occasion, His Excellency, Mr. Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State. I, also, welcome our royal father at this occasion, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu 1, Oba of Lagos and, incidentally, landlord to the King’s College, Lagos.

It is on record that among the distinguished public servants and technocrats who laid the blueprint for national development in the unprecedented oil boom era, Kay Cee Old Boys were significantly conspicuous.

It is a fact of life that education is the foundation upon which a dynamic society can thrive. Government has been trying to provide standard infrastructure that will support educational development in the millennium, as well as, capacity development among education personnel. It is, therefore, commendable that you have deemed it fit to raise funds for a complete rehabilitation of the physical infrastructure in your alma mater and the establishment of the “Floreat Fund” an investment fund that is designed to sustain future development in the school.

We are all living witnesses to the ravaging effects of the global economic crisis and its attendant backlash on welfare programmes of government due to dwindling resources. Therefore, it has become necessary for everyone of us to make sacrifices, so that our children can benefit from the same educational legacy that we enjoyed.

I will, once again, enjoin everyone present at this occasion to support the King’s College “Floreat Fund” generously because it is the assurance of an investment in the future of our children.

I congratulate the President of the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA), Dr. Sunny Folorunsho Kuku, OFR, Executive Committee and entire members for this laudable initiative in developing your alma mater and I wish you success in your endeavour.

Thank you for listening and God bless.

Eko O Ni Baje O!

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Executive Governor,
Lagos State