The President of St. Gregory’s College Old Boys Association, Mr. Francis Oluwole Kudayah, has called on government at all levels to take a cue from the association’s commitment to remembering and honouring past heroes who contributed to the country’s development.
Kudayah made the appeal during the All Souls Day commemoration held at St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, a solemn event organised annually by the Old Boys Association to celebrate the lives and legacies of deceased members.
He described the act of remembrance as a moral and social responsibility that should not be left to religious or private groups alone, noting that many Nigerians who made meaningful contributions to national development are often forgotten after their passing.
“What the government can learn from this is the importance of remembering our past people who have contributed to the development of this country,” Kudayah said.
“Very often, people who have done very well are forgotten as soon as they pass on. This initiative ensures that their legacy lives on.”
The event, which attracted alumni, families of the departed, and members of the Catholic community, featured prayers, hymns, and the reading of names of deceased Old Boys listed in the association’s remembrance brochure.
Read Also: ECOWAS Court to Spotlight Human Rights, Integration as 2025 Legal Year Begins
Kudayah explained that the association’s commitment to its members goes beyond remembrance, extending into practical welfare support for families in need.
“When any member is ill, we support them with hospital bills. When they pass on, we support the family. We have an insurance policy that benefits members’ families and a children’s education insurance scheme that ensures their education up to university level,” he said.
According to him, such gestures reflect the association’s values of compassion, solidarity, and responsibility, principles he believes government and public institutions should adopt to build a more humane society.
“These are the things that strengthen community bonds and show that we value human life. The government can learn from that, to remember, to care, and to honour those who have served,” he added.
On the international scene, Kudayah reacted to a recent statement credited to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians were facing genocide in Nigeria.
He cautioned against drawing hasty conclusions based on unverified reports, stressing that the country’s security challenges affect both Christians and Muslims alike.
Also Read: Market Demolition: Court Threatens Lagos AG, Kosofe LG Chairman Over Contempt
“It’s difficult to tell whether he’s right because all kinds of information circulate internationally,” he said.
“Both Christians and Muslims have been killed in different parts of the country. The word genocide is a significant one, and whoever alleges must provide proof.”
Kudayah emphasised that Nigeria’s insecurity stems from complex issues involving criminal elements, insurgents, and herdsmen, not religious persecution.
He urged foreign leaders to seek dialogue with the Nigerian government instead of making inflammatory statements.
“It’s not by threatening invasion, that would be wrong because Nigeria is a sovereign country,” he said. “If there are issues, let them engage our government, clarify facts, and find solutions.”
The All Souls Day commemoration, rooted in the Catholic tradition, continues to serve as a platform for reflection, gratitude, and unity among members of St. Gregory’s College Old Boys Association, a model, Kudayah said, that the wider society can emulate in preserving the legacies of those who came before.
