King’s College Old Boys’ association rallies for a secure Nigeria by 2030 at Kingsweek 2024
Onome Amuge
L-R: Femi Adegoke, member, board of trustees; Wole Eperokun, alternate chairman, 2024 Kingsweek Planning Committee; Ali A Agada, principal King’s College, Lagos; Tonye Cole, chairman, 2024 Kingsweek Planning Committee; Leke Oshunniyi, president, King’s College Old Boys’ Association; Jani Ibrahim, chairman of the School Based Management Committee; Busuyi Onabolu, member, board of trustees, during the press conference announcing the 2024 Kingsweek event, at the KCOBA Secretariat, King’s College, Lagos, recently
The King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA), an organisation committed to fostering a strong sense of community among King’s College Lagos alumni and strengthening the institution’s influence and reputation, has reaffirmed its dedication to addressing the diverse and complex security issues facing Nigeria.
In its continued efforts to promote progress in the country, the association has set its sights on contributing to the realisation of a secure Nigeria by 2030 through various initiatives aimed at mitigating the threats posed by insecurity and promoting peace, stability, and development throughout the country.
To this end, Leke Oshunniyi, president of the King’s College Old Boys’ Association and the association’s executive committee have announced a lineup of events for the 115th Founders Day Anniversary of King’s College Lagos, known as Kingsweek 2024.
Under the theme “Achieving a Secure Nigeria by 2030”, this year’s Kingsweek, scheduled from September 16 to September 22, 2024, will feature a series of engaging and thought-provoking events focused on addressing the critical security challenges facing the nation
In his address at a press conference announcing the event, Oshunniyi underscored the relevance of the event theme in light of the pressing national security concerns facing the most populous African country.
The KCOBA president noted that Nigeria’s development is being hindered by multifaceted security challenges, and highlighted the significance of the Kingsweek in leading discussions and promoting actionable solutions that can help address these challenges and build a more secure and prosperous future for Nigeria.
Oshunniyi further highlighted the pressing need to address a diverse range of security issues, including social, financial, national, information, and energy security, as reflected in the Kingsweek theme.
“These issues are critical to the nation’s sustainability and future growth, and the KCOBA is taking this opportunity to engage thought leaders, alumni, students, and the broader public in meaningful conversations on how to secure Nigeria’s future,” he stated.
Business a.m gathered that the Kingsweek 2024 will offer a variety of events, both online and in-person, with the goal of creating a forum for discussion, celebrating achievements, and enhancing connections among members of the King’s College Old Boys’ global community.
The diverse schedule of events is set to include a mix of activities aimed at promoting a deeper understanding of the multifaceted security issues facing Nigeria and exploring potential solutions, as well as opportunities for the Old Boys to reconnect, share memories, and celebrate the institution’s rich history.
The Kingsweek event commenced on Monday, 16th September 2024, with a virtual conference (hosted online via Zoom), kickstarting a series of events that are set to take place over the course of the week.
The 2024 Kingsweek virtual conference brought together members of the global King’s College Old Boys’ community, along with local participants, to discuss the security issues confronting Nigeria and to explore potential strategies for addressing these challenges.
The Kingsweek virtual conference, moderated by Moses Nasamu, featured a panel of distinguished experts in the fields of energy, security, and education.
The panel included Muyiwa Oyinlola, director of energy and sustainable development at De Montfort University, UK, who brought his expertise in sustainable energy to the conversation. Fola Aina, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), London, United Kingdom, and a fellow at the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU), Florida, U.S.A., also contributed his insights on security and defense.
The Kingsweek schedule for Thursday, 19th September 2024, will feature the Back to School Day, an event dedicated to strengthening the bond between current and former King’s College students and staff. On this day, KCOBA members will return to their alma mater, giving them the opportunity to reconnect with the current student body and staff, as well as to commission various projects funded by alumni over the year.
The event also offers an opportunity for the KCOBA Executive Committee and the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) to commission various projects funded by alumni throughout the year.
Later that day, the association will play host to The Future Careers Day, focused on preparing students for the evolving job market by providing them with insights and guidance on emerging trends in the workplace. Here, prominent Old Boys from the KCOB Class set of (1974 – 1979), who have excelled in their respective industries and fields, will engage in conversations with students about Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the future of work in the digital age.
The pinnacle event of Friday, 20th September 2024, and indeed the entire week, will be the 115th Annual Founders’ Day Lecture, where distinguished speakers will discuss the Kingsweek theme “Achieving a Secure Nigeria by 2030.”
During the lecture, the speakers will explore various dimensions of security, including social security, financial security, national security, information security, and energy security, offering a comprehensive understanding of the various measures and strategies that will be essential in creating a secure and sustainable Nigeria by the year 2030.
The 2024 KCOBA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will conclude Kingsweek 2024, bringing the week’s events to a close and providing an opportunity for the association to evaluate its achievements and initiatives over the past year, as well as to consider the future direction of the association.