By Simeon OSAJIE
Former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Prof. Akii Ibhadode, has called for a coordinated, long-term intervention by alumni to rescue Edo College, Benin from infrastructural decay and declining academic competitiveness.
Ibhadode made the call in Benin while delivering the keynote address at the Biennial Delegate Conference of the Edo College Old Boys Association (ECOBA).
The guest speaker noted that Edo College, established in 1937 as the first high school in the old Midwest Region, was once a symbol of intellectual discipline and academic prestige.
He said the school could only reclaim its comparative advantage if old students adopt a strategic and unified approach.
The don stressed that while many class sets and individuals have made commendable contributions, the efforts remain “fragmented and insufficient to produce the transformational impact the school urgently requires.”
“The overall development challenges facing Edo College lie in improving its infrastructure, strengthening teaching and learning, and institutionalizing a robust guidance and counselling system for students.
“These contributions are valuable, but their lack of integration limits the overall impact and fails to maximise the benefits of support from government and other partners,” he said.
The erstwhile vice-chancellor warned that the school’s deterioration, which began in the 1980s due to inadequate funding, poor maintenance and teacher attrition, had eroded the strong academic reputation.
This reputation, he said, once gave Edo College students an advantage in tertiary admissions and career opportunities.
According to him, only a coordinated alumni strategy could halt the decline.
“For reinvigoration to take place, Edo College and ECOBA must work in concert to put in place an effective and efficient in-school guidance and counselling system to directly help prepare students for post-Edo College years.
“The other side of the coin is the institutionalization of a platform to support the careers and businesses of younger ECOBites,” he said.
He stressed that development within the school and support for alumni must be treated as “mutually reinforcing.”
He explained that stronger alumni contribute more effectively to the college, while a revitalised school strengthens future graduates.
Meanwhile, the biennial conference also witnessed the election of new executive members to steer ECOBA’s affairs for the next two years, with Engr. Gregg Utomwen Ogbeifun emerging as President.
Egbefoh took over from former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion.
Ogbeifun, in his inaugural address, reinforced the concerns raised by the keynote speaker, describing Edo College as “one of Nigeria’s foremost post-primary educational institutions” whose foundational strengths must be restored.
He said although old boys had supported the school through classroom rehabilitation, laboratory upgrades, scholarship programmes, an e-library and other interventions, the gains were not yet transformative.
“There is absolutely no doubt that the school would have been worse off by now but for the intervention of ECOBA.
“Yet the development efforts are fragmented. The absence of a coordinated approach means that projects tend to be standalone and do not complement one another,” he said.
The new president announced that the new administration would produce a 10-year strategic development plan covering 2026 to 2035 to guide interventions, resource mobilisation and implementation.
“Operating with an integrated strategic plan will provide a framework into which class sets, individuals and organisations can key into and avoid standalone initiatives.
“Each element of support will therefore be contributing to cumulative and sustainable development.”
Ogbeifun disclosed that the new executive would also prioritise a harmonised development blueprint, adding that a retreat would be held in early 2026 to finalise the strategic plan with the support of international consultants.
“It is our intention that within the first quarter of 2026, we will spend about five days brainstorming and developing the content of our strategic plan,” he said.
He also underscored the need for stronger mentorship and career support structures within the association.
He noted that many younger alumni “needed upliftment, guidance and opportunities” that the association must deliberately provide.
The conference was attended by several distinguished alumni, including members of the 1965–1969 set who travelled from the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as Edo State Commissioner for Finance, Emmanuel Okwebo.