For decades, the dining hall at Kings College’s Annex was in total disrepair with a leaking roof, broken windows, doors, tables and chairs and damaged tiles. Worried by the sorry state of affairs, four sets of the school’s old boys united to fix the problem. It cost multiple millions, but last Friday, they opened the doors of the ‘heart of Kings College’ to grateful pupils and school authorities.
Ezekiel Prosper remembers how mealtimes used to be at Kings College Annex, Victoria Island. Since he gained admission to the school three years ago, he and hundreds of his fellow pupils have been having breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the school’s massive, but dilapidated dining hall.
“The tiles were broken. So were the windows. There were no fans and no light; if we wanted to eat at night, everywhere would be dark. We had to be sharing torchlights,” Prosper, a Junior Secondary 3 Alpha student and a House Captain, said.
Over 10 years before Prosper became a “Kingsman”, as Kings College pupils and alumni are known, Daniel Ojukwu’s experience in the hall was similar. Ojukwu, who is of the school’s 2014 set, has fond memories of his schoolboy days but often feels sad at the naughtiness pupils in his time played in the hall’s deterioration.
He said: “I remember, albeit fondly now, how we contributed to the dining hall’s decline. On days when we were served food that was unpopular amongst students, many of us would engage in food fights, throwing eko or moi moi around the place and at each other.
“On some occasions, we would throw forks at the ceiling to see who could hit a clean shot and get the fork to stick to the ceiling. We were just young boys.
“When meals were delayed, we would bang on our plates and then use those plates to bang the tables. In a bid to dish out food to members of one’s dining table, some boys would go early to the hall and then sleep at the table so when others come to join, they reckon with the fact that these boys got there first, and earned the right to serve.
“Also, at prep time, we would most often use the dining hall to read because it was large, could contain us all, and helped hostel managers monitor our activities. The frequent use of this facility contributed to its decline, and every set after ours also further wore the facility out.”
Old boys step in
That situation was even worse a few months ago when a team of the 2007 set of the Kings College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) visited the school.
“The dining hall was in a state of disrepair with a massive, damaged, leaking roof, damaged dining and kitchen tiles, broken and damaged chairs and tables. Terrible electrical work and shattered windows,” said Kasim Adedipupo, popularly known as Dipo, a member of the 2007 set.
Led by its president, Ugochukwu Oliver, the 2007 set had made it a point to give back to the school annually through several initiatives.
Speaking on behalf of his set, Dipo, an engineer, said: “It all began last year with the refurbishment of the SDG bathroom on the main campus, which was a success and a tremendous motivator.
“This year, we decided to redirect our attention to the Annexe, where we identified the dining hall.”
Kenneth Akalusi, another member of the 2007 set corroborated him. Akalusi, who was director of socials in his school days, said: “Last year, we did a very big project at the main campus. But, this year we decided to do the annexe.
“We came here and looked at different projects that looked viable and decided as a set that this was the project we would take on that would have the most significant impact. The reason being that this is where food is provided and, I mean, especially with the problem of cholera affecting some parts of the world, we wanted to make sure that where our students eat is clean.
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“The dining hall is very dear to us. This is a place where we had a lot of experiences over the years. Many times, we did read here when we had to prepare for exams because of space. So, we couldn’t neglect this hall. A lot of us had to really hit our pockets to make sure that this job is done and done successfully.”
Collaboration with other sets
But the cost of renovating the dining hall proved too big a burden for one set to shoulder – it was going to cost about N50 million to N60 million, making a creative solution a necessity. Dipo explained that his set decided to approach other sets for collaboration, in what turned out to be probably the first multi-set partnership in KCOBA history.
He said: “After budgeting, we realised the magnitude of the project we had chosen. We were hesitant to proceed, but we did not give up. Instead, we resolved to seek collaboration with other sets.
“To our amazement, three fantastic sets showed interest: the 1991 set, the 2005 set, and the 2014 set. We walked together to create a powerful mix of four sets to complete this top-notch task.
“However, the cost remained high. So, we decided to divide the project into two sections. Phase one was to renovate the dining hall, phase two was to renovate the dining hall’s internal and external kitchen.”
Kings College: one school, two campuses
Kings College, Lagos, a boys-only secondary school, was established by an Act of the British Parliament on Monday, 20th of September 1909, with 10 pupils. Originally called King’s School, Lagos, its focus was to produce students of profound character and academic distinction – men who would build an independent Nigeria. In 1914, Sir Lord Fredrick Lugard, the Governor-General of Nigeria, described King’s College, Lagos, in a White Paper as “the leading school in the Colony as well as the Premier School”.
The school is not only the oldest college, but also one of 104 unity schools in Nigeria managed by the Federal Government to bring together children from different geographic, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds to build Nigeria’s future, especially in the aftermath of the Biafran War.
Presently, King’s College has a senior and a junior school. Due to population constraints at the school’s Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) location, the school was divided into two campuses. The senior boys retain the school’s original location or “Main Camp” at TBS. The JSS1 to JSS3 boys were moved to the premises of the former Federal School for Arts and Sciences (F.S.A.S) on Victoria Island, now known as the “annex campus”.
Renovation in two phases
However, renovating the hall, required technical expertise and Dipo was chosen as the engineer for the project.
“It took us about a month and two weeks to complete this project,” Dipo said.
“We were able to complete it because of our planning. We planned it properly. We made use of the fact that the children were on break. When they resumed, we found a way to work with the school authorities to be able to complete this project within that time-frame.”
“We still have phase 2 coming up in December when they go on break. Phase 2 is going to be for the kitchen, including kitchen equipment, gas piping and the tiles.
“But by the time we looked at the cost, it was going to be about N50 million to N60 million for everything. So, we had to divide it into two. This Phase 1 took about N40 million. We had to change the entire roof. It’s a very long span. All the doors, everything was in a bad state; we had to re-weld and do a lot of things. Broken windows and glass everywhere. The doors where you now have glass, there was nothing there. Everything was in a very bad shape. In the kitchen also, we did everything. We changed the entire tiles, and we had to paint the ceiling again, we painted the walls and the whole building.”
He explained that the budget also included the maintenance of the dining hall and the kitchen for the next two years. Dipo praised the collaboration between the sets, despite the age differences.
He added: “We got three lucky sets, 1991, 2014, and 2005, especially 1991 and 2005; they were wonderful. We played our part, but they were our pillars. If not for them, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve the whole of this. All the sets putting in their efforts, contributed what they could, and we just had to put on our best to make sure that this was a success.”
Old hall like new
Last Friday, several Kingsmen, led by KCOBA President, Dr. Leke Oshunniyi, and other dignitaries gathered on the annex campus grounds to inaugurate the renovated hall.
Oshunniyi, a distinguished member of the American College of Physician Executives and the National Association of Managed Care Physicians in the USA, commended the spirit of collaboration between the sets.
He noted that there was better government funding, in his days at the college which reduced the necessity for old boys’ interventions. The KCOBA president advocated a more sustainable funding system for Kings College and other unity schools.
Oshunniyi said: “When we were in school, there were no interventions by the old boys. What they transmitted to us was the values and culture of Kings College, but we never had wholesale interventions where infrastructure was renovated, rehabilitated or built.
“It is indicative of the diminishing ability of government to fund the 104 unity schools of which Kings and Queens College are members. We think that innovative funding methods should be introduced, otherwise there may be donor fatigue.
“These are very expensive projects and, over the years, the old boys have spent hundreds of millions of naira renovating their old school.”
“Begging for money, or donations is not a sustainable way of funding projects like this. Other innovative funding methods could be deployed such as public-private partnership (PPP) projects etc. That’s what I would recommend, PPP projects that would raise the funding that would run the school in perpetuity at the level that existed when I was here more than 50 years ago.
“Meanwhile, we will try and bridge the gap as old boys and do the critical infrastructure work.”
Mr. Eno Ukpe, who represented the KCOBA 1991 set, said: “This is probably the first collaborative project that we have, so we must give kudos to the 2007 set for coming up with this initiative.
“As a set, the ‘91 set has made some interventions, primarily at the main campus because that’s where we spent all our days in this great school.
“However, we appreciate the fact that there is a need for projects not only on that campus but also at the VI Annex and we are happy that your set is coming up with several interventions.”
Mr. Femi Onakoya, who spoke on behalf of the 2005 set, expressed their delight at the project.
Onakoya, a lawyer, said: “It is a pleasure for us to be here to collaborate with the three other sets, bringing this project to reality while preparing for our 20th anniversary out of college next year. So, this is actually one of the projects we had in mind to embark on. Since there was something going on, we said let’s work together. Efforts were driven heavily by Mr. I.B. Ekure who is one of our committee heads as we plan our upcoming 20th reunion.
“I believe that as my brother Kenneth mentioned, maintenance is key, that is what will encourage the old boys’ association to continue to invest in upgrading facilities in the college, at both campuses, because we know that education is expensive and cannot be run by government alone.”
“I would like to mention that the 2014 set is not represented here today.
They are celebrating 10 years out of school, and it personally gives me great joy that the set has played its part in being actively involved in giving back to the school.
“The set that graduated just 10 years ago, they’re all almost certain to be under 30 years old and at the early stages of their careers, so for them to look back and be motivated to embark on this kind of project in collaboration with the other sets, is a great thing.”
A grateful school
Vice Principal Academic, King’s College Lagos, Mr. Oluseyi Akanni, who represented Kings College Principal Andrew Ali Agada, appreciated the old students “for the renovation of the heart of the college”.
He added: “To me, this is the heart of the college, the dining hall, because without food, nobody can survive.
“Thank you so much for remembering this Annex campus. Most of the time the projects have been on the other campus and for the first time we are feeling the presence here.
“I can assure you that we’re going to maintain this hall. If you come back in the next three years when you return, you’ll still meet it intact. A parent entered this place during the renovation and said this is Eldorado, this place is like Eldorado. I want to appreciate you for that.”
Pupils delight
Looking around the new hall, Prosper, could not hide his joy.
“This is a good change to the school, and we appreciate it,” he said.
Similarly, Empire Christopher of JS 3c was delighted.
Christopher said: “It’s very exciting to see how all the fans and everything is working effectively, how they’re treating us, the whole dining hall is just looking so good.”
Dr. T.F.O. Yakubu-Oyinloye, who represented the School Based Management Committee (SBMC) headed by a Kings College old boy, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, praised KCOBA for their efforts and admonished the students to protect the property.
She added: “On behalf of the SBMC, I would like to appreciate the Kings College Old Boys for what they have been doing in this school.
“We have recognised that of all the old students’ associations, including that of the girls, the KCOBA seems to stand out. So, I want to say congratulations to you. You have been supporting the school day in and day out, with your substance and with your time. You are alumni to be followed and emulated.”
Others at the event included Kings College Vice Principal (Special Duties) Mr. Y.S. Shittu, Vice Principal Admin Mr. Okunola John and Sports Secretary KCOBA, Simsi Mayaki, among others.