The Eko Boys’ High School (EBHS) Old Boys Association (EKOBA) and the Lagos State Government, have resolved to jointly develop a new master plan for the redevelopment of the school site at Mushin.
This indication was given at the turning of the first sod
for the building of an ultra-modern hall at the school, performed by the Lagos
State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo recently.
The Commissioner commended the commitment of EKOBA to
supporting the State Government in providing a conducive atmosphere for
learning in Eko Boys High School especially for the efforts at refurbishing the
Toilet Facility, providing additional security, educational materials and
sporting equipment to the school.
Adefisayo described the School Hall project as a significant
one that will impact learning in EBHS positively, by providing a conducive
atmosphere for group activities, devoid of weather constraints.
According to her, the administration of Governor Babajide
Sanwo-Olu is committed to building schools of the future, public schools that
are driven by cutting-edge technology that can compete favourably with the best
schools anywhere in the world.
This commitment she reiterated includes improving infrastructural
and curriculum development of existing public schools in Lagos State, stressing
that her Ministry and the Government are open to collaborating with
Stakeholders, including old students’ associations in that respect.
She pledged the continued cooperation of her Ministry to
EKOBA in its aspiration of ensuring that Eko Boys’ High School return to its
old glory of being one of the top secondary schools in Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, the President of EKOBA, Mr Kayode Elliot,
expressed the Association’s appreciation to the Commissioner for her Ministry’s
drive in promoting functional education and infrastructural renewal in public
schools in the State.
The EKOBA President acknowledged the drive of the EKOBA
North America branch (EKOBANA), in leading the fund raising for the development
of the ultra-modern school hall in addition to other laudable initiatives by
the service club and others.
Represented by the first National Vice President, Ekorian
Adesola Babatunde, the EKOBA President thanked the Lagos State Government for
its cooperation with the Association and disclosed that efforts are ongoing to
reconstruct the two entrances to the school to a befitting status as well as
ensure a total infrastructural renewal at the Mushin site in collaboration with
the State Government.
He also expressed appreciation to all EKOBA service Clubs in
Nigeria and the diaspora for the support for EBHS and called for all hands to
be on deck in returning the school to its former enviable status.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the EKOBA
Board of Trustees, Engr. Adeniji Raji, represented by Ekorian Theo Ola Ayeni,
alluded to the great contributions of Eko Boys’ High School in producing
illustrious Nigerians that have contributed significantly to National development.
Some of them according to him include, Late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan of Lagos,
General Adeyinka Adebayo, Justice Muri Okunola, Senator Olusola Saraki and
Chief Idowu Sofola amongst many others.
In his own contribution, Dr Kola Ibirogba, a member of the Board
of Trustees, requested the Lagos State Government to confer EBHS and a few
other schools in the state with a special heritage status like the Ivy League
Schools, in view of the significance of the school and its contributions as the
first private, non-denominational secondary school in Lagos State and Nigeria
founded in January 1913 by the late Reverend William Benjamin Euba.
The President of EKOBANA, Prof. Jide Okunnubi, expressed
appreciation to the Commissioner and Staff of the Education Ministry for the
ejection of illegal occupants at the site for the construction of the
ultra-modern hall, as well as fast tracking the process for necessary approvals
for the project.
He reiterated the commitment of EKOBANA to working with
other service clubs and the EKOBA National Executives to support the Government
in the total infrastructural renewal of Eko Boys’ High School, Musin.
In his own contribution, EKOBA 2nd National Vice President,
Engr. Tito Nurudeen, assured the Commissioner of the speedy completion of the
School Hall project and expressed the hope that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and
his team would join Ekorians in celebrating the 110th EBHS Founder’s Day
Service inside it on January 13, 2023.