Hope Waddell Alumni To Launch N1bn Legacy Fund As School Marks 130 Years Anniversary
By Uket Oka, Calabar
The alumni association of Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar, Cross River State has concluded plans to launch a N1 billion Legacy Trust Fund for the 130 years school.
The National President of the association, Efio Ita Ephraim, made this known Monday at a World Press Conference to herald the 130 years anniversary celebration of the institution held at the Conference Hall of the institution in Calabar, the State capital.
Ephraim noted that the fund when established would be used for infrastructural development as well as those things that would help promote education excellence and assist the school churn out excellent students in all areas of study.
He explained that the N1 billion Legacy Fund would be launched on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the Calabar International Conference Centre, Calabar.
The National President noted that it is the desire of the alumni association to reposition Hope Waddell Training Institution to be one of the competitive schools in the country.
Ephraim also hinted that the alumni association would also commission a state-of-the-art Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) centre, stressing that, “the centre will not only be opened to the institution, but also to government departments and agecies that want to recruit using CBT”.
“The legacy fund is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with eight Board of Trustees members.
The Board of Trustees are very competent personalities with vast wealth of experience in trust fund management.
“As said earlier on, N1 billion is a big amount and also a small amount. Part of what the charter said is that they would identify indigent students to assist.
“They would also liaise with the school to identify where they can assist. We want to take the school back to its glorious past so that parents all over the world would like to send their children to the school,” the national President stated.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the 130 anniversary planning committee, Sir Toni Ikpeme, said Hope Waddell Training Institution, established in 1895, was one of the first five institutions to be established in the country and the first to be established east of the Niger.
Ikpeme noted that the one week event would feature novelty football competitions, commissioning of legacy projects and charity visitations, among others.
He stated that the theme of the anniversary celebration which is “Hope Waddell Training Institution at 130: A Glorious Heritage Inspiring the Future”, would be discussed by seasoned resource persons drawn from the academia and other professions.
Also speaking, the Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Ekpenyong Akpanika, said the Presbyterian Church is deeply involved in the celebration.
Akpanika, who was represented by Most Rev. Daniel Etim, noted that Hope Waddell Training Institution is a product of the Presbyterian Church which is used for the moral and educational upbringing of the children.
He stated that the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria which was established on April 10, 1846 would be 179 years old in Nigeria on April 10, 2025.
Highlight of the event was the unveiling of the 130 anniversary celebration mascots
