profile/5683FB_IMG_16533107021641748.jpg

News_Naija

Flight Delays, Bird Strikes, Runway Skids: Nigerian Aviation Sectors Persistent Safety Challenges (2)

Despite a robust regulatory framework and billions spent on safety initiatives, Nigeria’s aviation sector remains plagued by recurring incidents, ageing aircraft, and weak oversight, leaving passenger safety hanging in the balance, writes PRINCESS ETUK in the final part of this report Nigeria’s aviation sector operates under a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to ensure safety, security, and efficiency in air transportation. The primary legislation governing civil aviation is the Civil Aviation Act 2022, which aligns national regulations with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. This Act establishes the legal and institutional framework for civil aviation, addressing safety and security concerns, and enhancing the operational standards of airline services in Nigeria. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority serves as the apex regulatory body, empowered by the CAA to oversee and regulate aviation safety without political interference. The NCAA’s responsibilities include certifying air operators, licensing personnel, ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, and conducting safety oversight functions of airports and airspace. The authority operates based on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2023, a comprehensive document comprising 20 parts that cover various aspects of aviation operations, such as personnel licensing, aircraft registration, airworthiness, and operations. In addition to the NCAA, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau plays a critical role in the aviation safety framework. Established under the NSIB Act, the bureau is responsible for the investigation of air accidents and incidents, with the aim of identifying causes and recommending preventive measures. The Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 2024 outline the procedures and standards for conducting these investigations, ensuring transparency and adherence to international best practices. Despite this robust regulatory framework, challenges persist in the enforcement of aviation safety regulations in Nigeria. Issues such as ageing aircraft fleets, inadequate maintenance practices, and infrastructural limitations have been identified as factors contributing to safety concerns. For instance, many Nigerian airlines operate ageing fleets, increasing the likelihood of technical failures. Implementing predictive maintenance technologies and enforcing stricter aircraft lifecycle regulations have been suggested as measures to improve safety outcomes. Furthermore, while the NCAA has the authority to enforce compliance through sanctions and procedures outlined in the Nig.CARs, the effectiveness of these enforcement mechanisms has been a subject of discussion. The NCAA’s powers include reviewing reported violations, conducting investigations and hearings, issuing subpoenas, and prosecuting offenders with the consent of the Attorney General. However, the practical implementation of these powers and the consistency in applying sanctions remain areas requiring continuous improvement to ensure compliance and enhance safety standards. In December 2024, a Fly Bird HS 125 aircraft operating a flight from Abuja to Accra experienced a critical in-flight emergency, losing both engines midair. The incident unfolded shortly after departure from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, when the crew reported an issue with engine number two while climbing through flight level 240. Approximately 25 nautical miles southwest of VOR station VONUK, the crew decided to return to Abuja. During the descent, engine number two failed at flight level 230, and upon approaching Abuja at around 5,000 feet, the crew declared a Mayday, indicating the loss of engine number one. Despite these severe challenges, the pilots managed to land safely at 18:16 UTC, with all four individuals on board, three crew members and one passenger escaping unharmed. In January 2025, a United Airlines flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Washington, D.C., experienced a sudden and severe in-flight movement over Ivory Coast airspace, leading to injuries among passengers and crew. The Boeing 787, carrying 245 passengers, three pilots, and eight flight attendants, was forced to return to Lagos, where it landed safely. Four passengers and two flight attendants received medical attention for minor injuries and were subsequently released. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board then initiated an investigation into the incident. According to Business Times, the Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, highlighted the ongoing issue of poor communication regarding flight statuses. She noted that even FAAN itself does not always have accurate information about when flights will take off. This lack of coordination between airlines, airport staff, and passengers only exacerbates frustration during delays, as travellers are often left without clear updates. Airline operators also shared their challenges, particularly in managing passenger expectations during weather-related delays. Speaking on this issue, CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, explained that when flights are delayed due to weather conditions, airlines cannot proceed with departures. However, many passengers feel uninformed, despite the airline’s efforts to provide updates. Onyema further pointed out that the situation becomes even more complicated when flights are suddenly rescheduled after weather conditions improve. This often leads to a rush of passengers trying to board at the same time, overwhelming FAAN staff and creating additional operational difficulties. Despite these ongoing challenges, stakeholders agreed on the need for improved collaboration to address these issues. Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo suggested that airlines should adjust their schedules and keep one aircraft on standby to help mitigate delays. In 2023, Onyema detailed that Airpeace experienced 18 bird strike incidents, expressing concern that more could occur before the year’s end. Onyema criticised federal policies for undermining domestic airlines and highlighted the government’s lack of support for their growth. He cited a recent incident where a bird strike damaged the engine of a newly acquired Embraer 195 E2, costing approximately $3.2m to repair. Additionally, the aircraft was grounded for a week due to delays caused by the Nigerian Customs Service in delivering necessary parts. Onyema also noted that Air Peace lost two aircraft to bird strikes in a single day at Benin Airport, emphasising that such resources could have been better utilised elsewhere. In response to these incidents of aviation safety, Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, however, argued that the regulatory body has consistently lived up to its responsibilities. According to him, “Even the operators themselves have given a vote of confidence to the NCAA,” he noted. Citing Allen Oyema, vice-chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Achimugu said: “He said in the presence of the chairman the United Airlines, he said, everything NCAA needs to do, every role it needs to play for them, NCAA has done it. Anything that the NCAA has not done is not under the purview of the NCAA. So we’ve played our part.” Achimugu stressed that bird strike prevention does not fall within the NCAA’s responsibilities but rather lies with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.  “Bird strike equipment is a purview of FAAN,” he clarified, “but even where that equipment is available, even abroad, it doesn’t stop bird strikes from happening. It just limits, it minimises.” He pointed to global examples like the tragic Jeju Air crash in South Korea that claimed 200 lives due to a bird strike, highlighting that even well-equipped countries are not immune. “Are we also saying South Korea does not have bird strike equipment? They do, but it happened. It happens still.” Achimugu concluded with a reminder of Nigeria’s relatively strong safety record: “In Nigeria, I think that we’ve been quite fortunate. Compared to a whole lot of other countries, especially from the advanced countries, we don’t have serious incidents. FAAN also has pyrotechnics that they use to fight birds.” A member of the Aviation Round Table, Olumide Ohunayo, acknowledged NCAA’s efforts under the leadership of Captain Chris Najomo but stressed the importance of continuous improvement. “He met a lot of gaps on the ground, both on the safety area, consumer protection, consumer services, even regulations and the staff welfare. All they have been addressing in order to improve safety.” However, Ohunayo pointed to lingering deficiencies, particularly in communication between security agencies. “What we can only do is mitigate and reduce incidences, communication among the agencies, the security agencies within the country, to have a single portal so that information will not be delayed.” He also highlighted urgent needs in infrastructure. “Look at the cameras at the airport, it’s inadequate, you need to add more. Some of the machines that are meant to help search passengers are down and are not serviceable,” he said. “Even for the navigational side, they needed equipment to improve navigation within the airspace and the ability to have that bird’s-eye view of the airspace, especially in Nigeria. All require appropriate funding and an accurate pursuit of priorities.” Despite these gaps, Ohunayo affirmed the overall safety record, “Our safety records are not too bad. We have all the necessary certifications. The only one we have lost is the FAA Category 1 certification of the US, but that will be restored when we are ready to operate.” Another aviation expert and CEO of Centurion Security Limited, John Ojikutu, gave a historical lens on the problem of bird strikes, which he argues has been mismanaged for decades. “It’s very unfortunate that in our age in aviation, we are still holding on to weather. It bothers me a lot,” Ojikutu began, pointing to fundamental gaps in understanding and operational philosophy. “There’s what we call Instrument Flight Rule, either you fly inside weather or you are flying into weather. And there’s what we also call VFR, you don’t have to be looking outside. Your instrument will direct you.” Reflecting on past issues around Lagos airports, Ojikutu said, “Around 2005, 2006, we had a problem of bird strikes. All those areas coming into Lagos were full of birds. So FAAN brought in machines and people who study birds and they put them there. I’m not sure that FAAN was able to keep them for more than two years.” He lamented the seeming disregard for sustainable bird control, suggesting that FAAN failed to treat the problem with long-term seriousness. “The machine went bad. I don’t know whether they sacked them or they left them. So that means they didn’t take all these things seriously.” For Ojikutu, the broader issue is one of clarity and responsibility. “There are a lot of things we need to look seriously into. Which agency should be in charge of which one? Is it the airport operator? Or the Aerodrome control operator? When I’m talking of aerodrome operator, it includes the runway, which is FAAN.” He also offered a critique of political interference and regulatory inconsistency,  “This is part of the regulator and political office holders. They just come in. They talk more of their own advantage than about safety. And that’s why for a long time, I have clamoured for an airport concession.”

dataDp/1032.jpeg

Worldnews

We Are All Vietnamese And Came To Germany To Build A Better Life

After the Vietnam War ended, thousands travelled to Germany as refugees or migrants workers. A recent anniversary has stirred a sense of reflection. Berlin, Germany – In 1979, Kien Nghi Ha lived in Hanoi with his parents, who worked as electricians at a power plant, and his 12-year-old sister in a one-bedroom apartment. They shared the toilet and an outdoor kitchen area along with their neighbours. One of them, an elderly woman, would sometimes look after Ha, then seven years old, and his sister. He remembers the cool, smooth tiled floor offering comfort during the blistering summer heat. He would lie on it listening to the lively street noise and occasional sound of a tram beyond a green steel entrance door. Four years earlier, in 1975, North Vietnamese communist forces had defeated United States-aligned fighters in South Vietnam to take the whole country under a one-party system that remains in power today. Ha was part of an ethnically Chinese mixed Hoa Kieu minority. Communities like his, especially in the early post-war years, felt vulnerable. He remembers how children turned away from him after Vietnam invaded Cambodia, then an ally of China at that time in 1978, because of his heritage. “Some even threw stones at me. This was very shocking, and I didn’t understand at that time what was going on,” he said. The family decided to leave. His parents sold their valuables and embarked on a dangerous and costly trip by boat to Hong Kong. Despite no guarantees of safety, an estimated two million people would ultimately leave this way. At that time, those who feared for their future under the new Communist authorities could choose to resettle in one of three countries – West Germany, Australia or the United States. The choice was not available for long. When his uncle left Vietnam just three months later, people were only allowed to migrate to the US. Ha’s parents opted for West Germany as they believed it offered a better work-life balance than the US. The fractures in Vietnam mirrored divisions in Germany, with North Vietnam backed by the USSR-aligned East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), and the capitalist West Germany supporting South Vietnam. After arriving in Hong Kong, the family travelled by plane to Frankfurt and then on to Tegel airport in West Berlin, where journalists were waiting, eager to document the country welcoming so-called “boat people”. “I don’t recall much from the arrival, but I do remember many journalists there wanting to take pictures of us,” Ha said. The family were provided an apartment within a social housing complex where thousands of people lived near the Berlin Wall on the west side. His father became a transport worker, while his mother was a cleaner in a children’s nursery. Compared with other social housing at the time, Ha says, the flat was in good condition, with central heating and individual toilets. But the transition was not easy. Ha felt isolated as one of the only children from a minority background in his primary school. Within months of the war’s end, Vietnam signed diplomatic relations with the GDR, paving a different kind of path for Huong Mai* to fly overseas a few years later. At 21, she left Hanoi for Moscow and then travelled to Schonefeld airport in East Berlin. She was among the first groups of contract workers and was soon employed at a factory that made drinking glasses. Now aged 64, Mai has a 27-year-old son and runs a textile shop in the town where she has lived since she arrived in the GDR. Mai requested Al Jazeera uses a pseudonym to tell her story, for personal privacy reasons. On April 30, Vietnam marked 50 years since the end of the war. For the large Vietnamese-German diaspora, who arrived as refugees and contract workers, this year’s milestones have stirred a sense of reflection. Mai said she felt joy on the anniversary. “My father resisted against the French colonialists, and then my older brother fought against the Americans. So, for me, the end of this war is very meaningful because of the blood that was shed by my family in all of these wars,” she said. Her brother followed in her footsteps, arriving in Germany in the 1990s alone. His family joined him two decades later, in 2009. His daughter, 26-year-old Dieu Ly Hoang, now lives in Prenzlauer Berg, which is coincidentally the same neighbourhood as Ha. It is a sought-after area of the German capital, formerly in the GDR, now home to cosy cafes, posh restaurants, yoga studios and affluent expatriate families where English is heard on the streets more often than German. “It’s been a very important aspect for me to see what my family went through, and how resilient they have been. I know I’m very lucky not to have experienced an evacuation and I can’t imagine what it was like for my grandparents,” Ly said, as she recalled hearing stories about the wartime rations of rice. “I acknowledge the sacrifices they made to migrate for a better life so that I could be born and live in peace,” said Ly, an art historian. Ha, now 53 and a father to two sons, is a postdoctoral researcher in the Asian German diaspora at the University of Tubingen and holds a PhD in cultural studies. Friendly, open and knowledgeable of the complex history he is a part of, Ha also said the commemorative events have felt significant. “There’s an intellectual and cultural discussion going on through which we are trying to make sense of this history and what this history means for us living in the German-Vietnamese diaspora,” he said. “Questions pop up in private and public conversations, articles, books, and artworks. And knowing more about this history will improve our sense of self in German society, because we are able to discover more about a past that we, the younger generations, didn’t experience on a personal level. This allows us to connect the past with the present.” An estimated 35,000 refugees arrived in West Germany in 1979, while 70,000 contract workers began to arrive in the GDR in 1980. When Germany unified in 1990, it brought together, at least physically, two communities. “In the GDR, people were proud to show international solidarity, and this went hand in hand with hatred of the capitalist West, while the West German government saw the Vietnam War as part of the global struggle against communism,” explained German historian Andreas Margara. Ly said some of her relatives still mention it when they hear a southern Vietnamese accent. “They do not become stressed nor do they act differently, but they notice the accent verbally, like ‘Oh, this person is from the south’. They do not go further into details, but I can feel a certain differentiation there because there is this history there. My parents’ generation, including people like war veterans, don’t have the spaces in the diaspora to meet, share their experiences and understand each other more,” she said. “Unified Germany, though, can be a space for more reconciliation.” She added that her generation has “more chances and spaces for dialogue” as she recalled recently meeting a Vietnamese German art history student and having plenty about which to talk. Mai agreed that there are not many opportunities in her life to meet southerners, yet she feels no animosity. “Even though Vietnam has been damaged a lot, we are all Vietnamese and came to Germany to build a better life for ourselves,” she said. Follow Al Jazeera English:...

dataDp/9958.jpeg

P7as2

Guru Purnima Special: Bollywood Musicians Share The Priceless Lessons From Their Gurus

In music, just like in life, there is no true growth without a guiding force. Gurus do not just teach technique; they shape spirit, discipline, emotion, and humility. On this Guru Purnima, we listen closely, not just to melodies but to the memories and teachings that have quietly defined the journey of some of India’s beloved voices. Each of these artists carries a legacy, an echo of their guru in every note they sing. Here are their stories. Shaped by Rahman’s advice The first time Jubin met A. R. Rahman, he was just 18. What Rahman said back then still rings in his ears: “Wait until your voice matures at 21.” Jubin took that to heart. He returned home, trained for years, and rediscovered a voice that felt true to who he really was. But more than anything, what impacted him was Rahman’s humility. Despite being a genius, he stayed rooted. That is what Jubin continues to carry with him: the ability to evolve endlessly while staying grounded. Paced by Pritam’s wisdom After the massive success of Lat Lag Gayi, Shalmali found herself overwhelmed with back-to-back shows. That’s when Pritam gave her a piece of advice she still holds close: “Don’t live with the mindset of making hay while the sun shines. Pace yourself. Think long-term.” That one moment of wisdom helped her slow down, preserve her energy, and protect her voice for the journey ahead. Moved by Arijit’s emotion Arijit Singh never gave Stebin a formal lesson. Watching him was enough. Stebin says, “He made me realize that people don’t connect to perfection. They connect to emotion.” Today, Stebin tries to sing with that same authenticity. He doesn’t just perform a song; he tries to live it. Balanced by Zakir Hussain and Akhtar From Ustad Zakir Hussain, Siddharth learned the importance of discipline that feels joyful. “He made us believe that technical brilliance and playfulness can go hand in hand. His presence lifted everyone around him.” From Javed Akhtar, Siddharth learned to appreciate the emotional clarity of words. “His lyrics feel timeless because they carry truth. He taught me how powerful and lasting words can be.” Guided by Maan’s presence Sagar never trained under Gurdas Maan, yet considers him his guru. “Sometimes when your heart accepts someone as a guru, everything about them becomes your lesson.” From his stage presence to his aura, Gurdas Maan influenced Sagar deeply. When Sagar met him for the first time, he could only cry. “He made me who I am,” he says, with heartfelt gratitude. Grounded by Rahman, fired by Pritam For Shashwat, A. R. Rahman represents humility and calm. He is deeply respectful and grounded, even after achieving so much. On the other hand, Pritam brings energy and intuition. He knows what works emotionally and gives his singers the space to explore. Shashwat says he found his own voice somewhere between Rahman’s peace and Pritam’s passion. Refined by Shankar and Haldipur Touring with Shankar Mahadevan for six years, Anusha learned the value of staying grounded and open to learning. She admired his ability to balance work and personal life without ever letting go of his passion for music. Her second guru, Amar Haldipur, also her father-in-law, taught her how lyrics can transform a song completely. “He made me realize how the placement and emphasis of words can shape the soul of a composition.” Shaped by Udit Narayan’s character Aditya calls his father, Udit Narayan, his greatest teacher. Watching him stay humble across decades of success taught him one important truth: talent might open doors, but it is character that keeps them open. Another value his father instilled in him is to stay unaffected by extremes. “Never let success make you arrogant, and never let failure make you bitter.” Inspired by Tiësto’s evolution Sartek learned a powerful lesson from DJ Tiësto: to evolve with the times without losing your identity. “He taught me that reinvention is not weakness. It is how you stay timeless in music without compromising your essence.” Driven by Mika and Aoki’s energy From Mika Singh, Sumit learned how to deliver electrifying live performances with full passion. From Steve Aoki, he understood the importance of creating unforgettable experiences for audiences. “He taught me to connect with people through music and humility.” Guided by Rahman’s calm In a recent studio session, A. R. Rahman reminded Natania to stay wide-eyed and in love with the process of creating music. “He said when we truly enjoy what we are making, that excitement carries into the recording and reaches the listener too.” That moment reminded her of the beauty of giving your whole heart to your art.

profile/5683FB_IMG_16533107021641748.jpg

News_Naija

Corona At 70: How An Expatriates Dream Birthed Nigerian Reality

Corona Schools has embarked on a series of events to celebrate its platinum anniversary. WALE AKINSELURE, in this piece, x-rays the origin, legacy, milestones, and alumni memories of the 70-year-old institution Beaming with nostalgia and pride, generations of Corona Schools alumni recently converged on Lagos to celebrate 70 years of their beloved alma mater. What began as a modest acorn planted in 1955 by a circle of visionary expatriate wives on Mobolaji Johnson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, under the aegis of Corona Women’s Society, has since blossomed into a mighty oak, deeply rooted in the soil of Nigeria’s educational landscape. It all started with a dream in 1954 by one of the members of the society, Mrs Anne MacDonald, who proposed the opening of a small school for children of all races between the ages of three and five. The dream materialised in March 1955, when the first Corona school, Corona Day Nursery, Ikoyi, opened its doors at 35, First Avenue, Ikoyi with five pupils. The initial financing for the school came from a 50-pound donation from Chief Mandilas and gifts of furniture and fittings from well-wishers. From its small kitchen classroom, the aroma of Corona’s world-class education recipe permeated Ikoyi and its environs. Parents desirous of excellence flocked to have their children/wards enrolled to savour a taste of the carefully crafted academic pudding. Like wildfire, words spread, and five pupils quickly became 20, while there arose the need for the opening of more Corona schools to cope with the increasing population yearning for quality education. In 1956, a second Corona School was opened in Ebute-Metta. The Corona Women’s Society later took over the Children’s Military School in Yaba, which eventually relocated to its permanent site in Gbagada in October 1974, becoming Corona School, Gbagada. Corona Day Nursery, Ikoyi, is regarded as the ‘cradle of all Corona schools’ and laid the foundation for the entire Corona Schools’ Trust Council. Today, the oak stands tall, the trunk diameters and canopies of Corona Schools have continued to expand across nursery, primary and tertiary education. This is a tree rooted in producing global and well-rounded individuals. Corona Nursery and Primary schools are in Gbagada, Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi, all in Lagos. There are two Corona Secondary schools in Agbara, Ogun State, while the Corona College of Education is situated in Apapa, Lagos. The Corona College of Education, which started as Corona Teachers’ College in 2007, was established to provide high-quality, continuous professional development for teachers in Corona Schools and all over Nigeria. Each campus has lush green fields, vibrant classrooms brimming with laughter and curiosity of children and digital tools seamlessly woven into curricula that nurture 21st-century skills. Corona’s commitment to holistic education means schools have facilities for co-curricular activities to help children develop their talents. Although Corona School, Apapa was shut down owing to a change of demography of the area from residential to largely commercial and typical traffic gridlock, innovation and excellence continue to thrive in the eight other campuses. In seven decades, Corona School has become a name synonymous with high educational standards, prestige and distinction. Students of Corona Schools have a track record of outstanding academic results, whether in internal or external examinations. This is also epitomised by the quality of its alumni. The school boasts over 35,000 distinguished Alumni, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; former Governor Donald Duke; Co-Founder, Sahara Group, Tonye Cole; Chief Executive Officer, Oando, Wale Tinubu; musician Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy). The 70th anniversary celebration, themed “Corona at 70: An Odyssey of Influence,” has featured a yearlong lineup of events. The events include staff awards and recognition in January 2025; an educators’ roundtable held on March 6, 2025, at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, where leaders of thought converged to discuss the future of education in Nigeria and globally. The most recent anniversary event was the Black Tie Gala Dinner on June 14 at Lekki, Lagos, where alumni, parents, staff, students, and well-wishers met for a combined gala/dinner party.  Memories from the 70s But beyond the glitter and nostalgia, the heart of the celebration beat strongest in the personal memories of alumni. For several Alumni, the fond memories of their days in school will linger for life. Dr Abimbola Iyalla of the 1978 graduating set recalls with pride the moment she stepped forward to receive her Head Girl badge. Iyalla (nee Bajomo) said, “My memorable moment was when I was selected as the school Head Girl in my year. I walked forward to the Headmistress during the School Assembly with so much pride to receive my Head Girl badge. It was a moment that is still etched in my memory.” Her classmate, Ms Adepeju Ademiluyi-Sanusi, fondly remembers acting in the NTA television show, “Animal Game,” as a young student. A fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Mr Olugbenga Ismail, remembers a chaotic moment in his class. “The drama of one of our classmates’ metal compass instrument that got stuck in his bleeding finger sticks out in my mind,” Olugbenga recalled. Mrs Kemi Akinwunmi-Olomo, of the class of ‘90, savours performing the song, “Sweet Mother,” at the National Theatre, Igamu, Lagos. Reliving her time in school, Mrs Dolapo Branco-Kehinde remembers the excitement when Corona School Gbagada performed the South African ‘Ipi Tombi’ dance at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. She reflected, “It felt like the entire school buzzed with excitement—we were going to perform on a national stage, and Ipi Tombi wasn’t just any dance; it was vibrant, energetic, and deeply rooted in African rhythm and storytelling. Preparations were intense but thrilling. We learned to move in sync, to tell a story with our bodies, and to pour our hearts into every beat of the drums. It was a moment of pride, unity, and pure joy that I will carry with me forever.” Another alumnus, Mr Deji Ajidagba of 1980, said he still keeps the trophy he received for winning the 100 metres race in his final year. Ajidagba also notes the lifelong friendships and brotherhood established from his primary school days in Corona. Mrs Femi Adeshugba recalled how tears flowed freely on the final day of their leaving primary school. Adeshugba recounted, “One of the most memorable moments at Corona School Gbagada was the end of the summer term, 1980. The classroom, our little world for the past years, was packed with the sounds of drawers being emptied, and a quiet kind of sadness no one wanted to say out loud. We were just children, but we knew something was ending. Some of us tried to be brave, but then someone started crying, and it spread like ripples in a pond. One by one, the tears came. Even the ones who always acted tough gave in. We didn’t want to go. We held each other’s hands like we were trying to hold on to the moment.” A businessman, Mr Femi Tejuoso of the 1981 graduating set, recalled how he wept uncontrollably on his first day at the Yaba nursery school. “My very first day in Corona Yaba nursery, I cried ceaselessly when I was received by Aunty Justina. It was heartbreaking being separated even briefly, for the first time, from my parents and into the hands of a stranger,” Tejuoso stated. For Mr Roland Odukomaiya, the Chairman of the Black Tie Gala Dinner and Fundraising Committee, the memories of his days at Corona Schools are more than a nostalgic recollection but a compass that shaped parts of his life, including his eventual journey to South Africa, after watching the Ipi Tombi performance while in school. He described the school’s learning environment as exceptional, noting that they were taught by many expatriate teachers. “When you meet a Corona student, their spoken English and conduct, both in and out of school, are outstanding,” he said. Odukomaiya expresses pride that the school’s standards have remained consistently high over the years. “The standard then and now is the same. Excellent Nigerian teachers have taken the baton and maintained global best practices,” he said. Asked whether public schools could match Corona’s quality, he admitted it would be challenging. On the perception that Corona’s fees are expensive, he responded, “You get value for money. The training is world-class, and the results speak for themselves. It’s not cheap, but the tradition of excellence built over 70 years must be preserved.” Like a mighty oak, Corona’s legacy is not just about longevity, but about strength, growth, and constant renewal. Corona Schools continues to grow tall and wide with its resolute commitment to world-class curriculum, teaching methodologies, staff quality, technology and infrastructure. Consequently, students continue to be moulded with the skills, mindset, and values they need to thrive in a fast-changing world. With a curriculum that champions innovation, moral values, and global citizenship, the school just unveiled a tech hub designed to equip students with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills. The hub aims to create e-learning content for a wider reach. Also, the school is engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility projects like the “Out-of-school Initiative” under the Corona Connect series, providing scholarships to indigent children in underserved communities. With the backing of alumni, parents and resolve of management and staff not to compromise its long-held standards, Corona Schools look on track to expand its trunk diameters and expansive canopies excellence for decades to come.