The Director/Principal, King’s College Lagos, Mr. Magaji Zachariah Cheye says the institution has a multitude of gifted athletes, capable of achieving incredible heights and representing the College at higher levels.
The principal stated this while delivering his welcome address at the 105th annual Inter- House Sports and Athletics competition of the College on Thursday in Lagos.
According to him, inter-house sports competition has always been a corner stone of the institution’s culture for over a century, fostering friendships, building character and promoting academic and extracurricular excellence, and among others, providing for the physical well being of students.
“This momentous occasion is a testament to the rich history and tradition of excellence that King’s College embodies.
“Sports has a transformative power that unites and inspires people and this we hope to achieve and reinforce the ethos of unity in diversity and togetherness among our students, which I believe will be promoted not just today, but every day of their lives.
“We hope that this event serves as a platform to discover and nurture hidden talents as we know that we have multitude of gifted athletes capable of achieving incredible heights even at the global stage and I pray that this event will serve as a stepping stone towards a brighter future for our ambitious athletes,” he said.
He then encouraged the students to participate wholeheartedly, ensure they give their best and embrace the true spirit of sportsmanship, while also urging them to remember that success was not solely measured by coming first, but by the effort, determination and growth they exhibit all through the journey.
“Let the experience of today be filled with joy and celebration, regardless of the outcome. Sports make us strong and above all, teaches us to accept defeat, which in itself, inspires determination to do better tomorrow, while at the same time, celebrating the victory of the opponent.
“These lessons are vital to your development and are building blocks for success in life. Weather your house wins or loses, learn to be magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat. We should all accept the outcome of today’s event with dignity, showing respect for the opponent and demonstrating humility,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo said the event marked a significant milestone in the College’s journey, and that he was, therefore, thrilled and honoured to be a part of it.
According to him, sporting activities are not all about winning, but about fostering teamwork, perseverance and sportsmanship.
“This gives us the opportunity to come together as a country, to celebrate our individual strengths and collective efforts.
Sani-Gwarzo, who was represented by Mrs. Ukamaka Okafor, Desk Officer of the ministry, equally said that the competition was also a platform where every participant will have the chance to demonstrate dedication, discipline and determination.
“As we gather here today, we should not forget that sports teaches us some of the most valuable life lessons. It reminds us that success does not come without hard work.
“Setbacks are just opportunities to rise stronger and the true victories lie not in the trophies collected but the relationship we build and character we develop,” he said.
On his part, the Chairman, Parent Teacher Association of the College (KCPTA), Engr. Peter Oluwaleye restated the association’s commitment to addressing some of the challenges facing the institution that was founded in 1909.
He noted that since taking over the mantle of leadership of the body in July 2024, the association has hit the ground running by embarking on a massive renovation exercise.
According to him, this is in a bid to create an enabling environment where teaching and learning will thrive.
“This College no doubt has been existing for over a century now and it is expected that there will be some sort of infrastructural decay. So, what we have done and are still doing within this short period of assumption of office as exco, is to study and discover areas of intervention at our own level.
“We cannot afford to leave everything in the hands of government, as it also has a lot of other issues jostling for its attention. So, as a body, we took it upon ourselves to embark on a massive renovation exercise, starting with the annex of the College on Victoria Island.
“We started by changing the entire nets in the hostels and renovation of the general toilets there.
“Presently too, we are working on the PTA building on the main campus, changing all the pipings to ensure an unhindered flow of water, both in and out of the structure, to salvage it from any form of distress.
“Let me also add that we have always partnered the College in any way we could, in all its programmes, be it morally, financially or materially,” the PTA boss stated.
He, however, urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in the area of provision of an enabling environment, where teaching and learning would thrive, adding that it is only by doing so, that the 116-year-old all boys institution would be returned to its glory days.
“This College belongs to government; no one can take that away from them. However, we are all aware that sometimes intervention from government to these Colleges don’t come early.
“For instance, before the visit of the Minister of Education to the College recently, we had been yearning for intervention in some key areas. So I will say his visit was very timely and therefore want to seize this opportunity to commend him for what he has done and still doing within the short period of his appointment.
“We started a process of restoring power to this main campus and indeed before now, all that effort yielded very little result.
“But with the arrival of the minister, he made a call to the Eko Electricity Company and swung into action. So, I must say that his visit was very timely. And apart from power from the grid, this College ought to have a mini grid project.
“All these will no doubt go a long way in improving the welfare of not just the students, but the staff as well. Another area of concern is that of inadequate hostels. We also need the Federal Government to also step up efforts in the provision of hostels.
“As parents, we are doing our bit and I must also commend them, for being ever supportive to the course of this College. Of course the College management too has been on course, to ensure that life in the College is seamless, irrespective of the little resources at its disposal,” he stated.
