President Bola Ahmed Tinubu And The King’s College tie (PART II)

What I find troubling is the number of hostile reports on the Internet regarding Old Boys of King’s College who have been sent to jail.

The search results for “Old boys of King’s College who have been sent to jail” mainly returned information regarding a 2017 incident when the 1997 set alumni of King’s College Lagos facilitated the release of 30 inmates from Kirikiri prison, rather than being imprisoned themselves.

However, the search results do highlight a few related, though not identical, scenarios regarding the school and similar names:

1944 Arrests: Records show that in March 1944, roughly 100 boys from King’s College, Lagos, were arrested following an incident involving a “slap”, in which notable figure Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was involved.

Correctional Facility Aid: In 2017, the 1997 set of the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) facilitated the release of 30 inmates from the Medium Security Prison, Kirikiri, Lagos.

It is deeply troubling that the internet has spilt out a profoundly bizarre litany of old boys of King’s College who have served jail terms:

Anthony Enahoro: A prominent politician, journalist, and activist who attended King’s College, Lagos, and was involved in student revolts in the 1940s. He was a leading figure in the Nigerian liberation struggle against colonial rule, which resulted in his imprisonment.

“· These stories highlight the transformative power of education, even in challenging circumstances.”

Michael Imoudu: A pioneering Nigerian labour leader, often cited among the early political prisoners held at Broad Street Prison, which held several notable figures during the colonial era, including alumni of the school.

Lateef Jakande: The former governor of Lagos State and a distinguished alumnus was imprisoned in the 1960s following the treasonable felony trial involving Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

1943 Anti-War Revolters: During World War II, several King’s College students were arrested and some conscripted into the military as punishment following a major anti-war revolt at the college.

Bukola Saraki: The former Senate President and KCL alumnus has faced multiple legal battles and remands during various corruption investigations and trials, though he has consistently challenged these in court.

· Here are some notable old boys of King’s College, Lagos, who have been involved in controversies or served jail terms:

· Tunwase Kabiru: An alumnus who was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. While in prison, he pursued education and earned a degree in peace studies and conflict resolution.

· Oladipup o Moshood: Another inmate who spent 24 years in prison and earned a degree while serving his sentence.

· Joshua: An old boy who was involved in armed robbery and sentenced to prison. He later earned a certificate in computer education and a degree from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

· Alegbe Afolabi: A former police officer who was sentenced to prison and later earned a master’s degree while incarcerated.

· These stories highlight the transformative power of education, even in challenging circumstances.

In my case, I still have vivid memories of my first day at King’s College. It was Wednesday, 2nd January 1957. My dormitory was F9 (Harman’s House), and the dormitory captain was Folorunsho Olaleye, who was in the Fifth Form. My bed was right next to that of Claude Ake, who was a prefect and house captain. He later became a renowned professor of political science. Sadly, he died in the same air crash (ADC Airlines Flight 086 on 7th November 1996) as the Vice-Principal Mr F. I. Ajumogobia (formerly Mr Bestman).

Claude Ake’s responsibility was to ensure that “lights out” (9 pm) was strictly enforced.

Regardless, he would engage me in long conversations on philosophy and politics. He did most (actually all) of the talking. Hence, during daytime I would proceed to the library to read any book on philosophy and politics instead of the prescribed textbooks. It certainly did me a lot of good, which I still cherish till today. It is absolutely true that no knowledge is wasted.

Perhaps I should add that long before my time, King’s College admitted some girls – Dr (Mrs) Irene Thomas; Mrs Olugbo Hollist (nee Lucas); Professor (Mrs) Elebute (nee Adenubi) (1951/1952 set) – into the Sixth Form. For some reason, admission of girls into the Sixth Form was resurrected when I was in Form One. Some of the names were Grace Kuboye (1958/1959), Wale Osinsanya (1958/59), Gbolahon Abisogun Alo (1955/56), and Florence (now Mrs Smith).

Permit me to add that our rivals were not limited to St Gregory’s College; Igbobi College; Methodist Boys’ High School; Baptist Academy; and C.M.S. Grammar School, which was in Lagos. Even back then, Barewa College, Zaria, and other schools in the North would send their best students (the quota was fifteen) to join the sixth form at King’s College. This was in addition to those who had joined in Form One.

It was a very enlightened policy and produced excellent results. I have no recollection of any King’s College boys being sent off to schools in the North.