The bells of history rang once again at Igbobi College, Yaba, as the revered institution—founded in 1932 by the Anglican Communion and the Methodist Mission in Nigeria—formally ushered in a new 16-member Board of Governors, reaffirming its enduring legacy while boldly embracing the future.

Against the backdrop of nearly a century of academic excellence and character formation, Sir Babatunde Emmanuel Sobamowo (73/75 Set)—a distinguished Old Boy and seasoned professional—was inaugurated as Chairman of the Board, a symbolical transfer of stewardship of the College into the hands of one of its own, to another.

Sir Sobamowo takes over from another eminent alumnus, Mr. Foluso Olajide Phillips (68/70 Set), whose years of devoted service have now culminated in his elevation to the Supervisory Board of the College—a transition marked by continuity, honour, and deep institutional memory.

An alumnus of Aggrey House, Sir Sobamowo’s journey with Igbobi College began in 1969. His years as a student were marked by academic excellence and sporting distinction, notably as a member of the Aggrey House relay quartet at both junior and senior levels. He graduated in June 1975 with outstanding results, including the best performance in Higher School Certificate (HSC) Geography—a testament to a lifelong pattern of excellence.

Beyond Igbobi’s gates, Sir Sobamowo’s professional trajectory has been equally impressive. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Economics from the University of Lagos and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS). He currently serves as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Global Asset Management Nigeria Limited, a licensed dealing member of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).

The newly inaugurated Board reflects a rich blend of experience, faith-based heritage, alumni commitment, and stakeholder representation.

Representing the Methodist Mission alongside the Chairman are:
Mr. Jide Coker (OI); Lady Folasade Ogunnaike; Sir Ladi Smith (OI); Sir Kayode Adeluola, SAN (OI); and the Very Rev. Patrick Bamidele.

The Anglican Communion is represented by:
Mrs. Morin Desalu (Deputy Chairman); Dr. Ebun Bangboye (OI); Dr. Damola DaCosta (OI); Barr. Seni Adio, SAN (OI); Lady Chikwue Ochiagha; and Mr. Dele Awokoya (OI).

Igbobi College Old Boys’ Association (ICOBA) is represented by:
Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya and Mr. Femi Soremekun.

Also on the Board is the PTA Chairman, Mr. Oluwasanmi Falobi, underscoring the College’s commitment to inclusive governance, while ICY’s new Principal, Ven. Joseph Adediji, serves as Secretary to the Board, ensuring continuity between policy and practice.

The inauguration ceremony was formally conducted by the Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Lagos West Diocese, The Rt. Revd. Dr. James Olusola Odedeji, whose presence reaffirmed the spiritual foundations upon which Igbobi College was built and continues to stand.

Mandated to serve a five-year term, the new Board has already commenced its duties, carrying the weight of legacy and the promise of the future. As Igbobi College advances toward its next century, the inauguration of this Board stands as a powerful reminder that while generations may change, the College’s commitment to excellence, character, and service remains timeless.

CEE-HOPE Hails Senate for Passing Bill on Domestic Workers’ Rights, Urges Speedy Passage by House of Reps

The Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) has commended the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for passing the Informal Sector Employment (Regulation) Bill, 2025 (SB.629), which seeks to protect the rights of domestic workers and other informal sector employees. The Bill was passed on the floor of the Senate on November 12.

Speaking on the development, Betty Abah, Executive Director of CEE-HOPE, described the move as “a long-overdue step toward justice, dignity, and recognition for millions of hardworking Nigerians, most of them women and girls, whose labour sustains households across the country but whose rights have remained unprotected for decades.”

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are about 75 million domestic workers globally, with over 80% being women. In Africa alone, there are at least 10 million domestic workers, while Nigeria is estimated to have between 3 and 5 million, forming a significant portion of the informal workforce. Yet, the majority operate without written contracts, fair wages, or social protection, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and modern slavery.

Alarmingly, the ILO further estimates that 17.2 million children worldwide are engaged in domestic work — more than half under the age of 14 — with girls making up nearly 67 % of that number.

In Nigeria, several hundred thousand children, mostly girls from poor backgrounds, are believed to be engaged in domestic labour, often exposed to abuse, trafficking, and denied education and childhood.

Abah noted that beyond legislation, the protection of domestic workers requires “strong unionisation, collective bargaining, and public awareness.” She stressed that the new Bill offers an opportunity to formally recognise domestic work as decent work, aligning Nigeria with the ILO Domestic Workers Convention (C 189), which calls for fair treatment, decent working conditions, and the right to organise.

“CEE-HOPE is committed to supporting the formation and strengthening of a national union for domestic workers,” Abah added. “We believe that only through collective organisation can domestic workers effectively demand fair wages, safe workplaces, and respect for their humanity.”

CEE-HOPE called on the House of Representatives to expedite passage of its companion legislation, the Domestic Workers (Employment and Protection) Bill, 2025 (HB.1765), and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give prompt assent to make it law. The organisation also appealed to state governments, civil society, and international partners to begin preparing for robust implementation once enacted.

Since 2020, CEE-HOPE which works with at-risk young people and marginalised populations, has campaigned for Nigerian domestic workers’ rights through wide-ranging initiatives including awareness creation through multileveled media platforms, engagement of multi-sectoral stakeholders (activists, unionists, media representatives, community leaders, domestic workers, employers and others) including law makers.

“This is a defining moment for Nigeria’s labour and human-rights landscape,” Abah declared. “By protecting domestic workers, we protect the dignity of our nation.”

The leaders and members of Eko Club International (ECI), the premier global organisation of Lagos indigenes, has been commended for upholding its core values by President Bola Tinubu. This is coming on the heels of the club’s 25th anniversary this month.

In a congratulatory message from the Presidency, President Tinubu acknowledged ECI’s significant contributions in promoting Lagos’s rich cultural heritage, sponsoring medical outreach programs, providing scholarships to the underprivileged, financing skill acquisition initiatives, and supporting entrepreneurship.

‘As Eko Club International celebrates 25 years of remarkable growth with 25 active chapters across the USA, UK, Canada, and Europe, President Tinubu affirms that the organisation’s unique history and impactful activities have positioned it for enduring generational influence’, the statement from the Presidency stated.

While encouraging ECI’s leaders and members to reflect on past achievements and prepare for even greater contributions in the future, the President thanked the members for their steadfast support and wishes the organisation continued success and greater impact in the years ahead.

ECI, is a community-based organisation of Lagosians in the Diaspora, established to foster cooperation and collaboration, unity, brotherhood and sisterhood amongst its members, to empower its members politically, socially and economically and to contribute positively to the advancement and prosperity of Lagos State.

According to available information, the genesis of Eko Club International, can be attributed to the vision of a group of Lagosians from Eko Club Houston and Canada, made up of the trio of Sam Dipeolu, T.J Abass and Yesir Ganiyu representing Eko Club Houston at a meeting with members of Eko Club Canada. The meeting was held at Mrs. Abiola Nosiru’s residence on February 15^th, 2000.