Benin College Old Boys Association gets new chair
…targets members’ welfare By Chinyere Okoroafor A new leadership has emerged in the Lagos Chapter of the Benin Technical College Old Students Association (BETECOSA) with the inauguration of Sir Ralph
...targets members’ welfare
By Chinyere Okoroafor
A new leadership has emerged in the Lagos Chapter of the Benin Technical College Old Students Association (BETECOSA) with the inauguration of Sir Ralph Jakpor Karieren as chairman.
Karieren, who will serve a two-year term, unveiled a welfare-driven agenda aimed at strengthening members’ wellbeing and attracting younger alumni into the association.
He said his administration would prioritise three key initiatives: group life insurance, health insurance, and a cooperative scheme, describing them as a support structure for members, particularly the elderly.
“Today, I have been inaugurated as chairman of the Lagos chapter for the next two years,” he said, noting that members in their 50s and above require structured welfare support.
According to him, under the proposed group life insurance policy, families of deceased members would receive a minimum of N1.5 million.
“The second is the HMO, to ensure members have access to medical care nationwide even at their lowest financial moments, while the third is the cooperative, which will provide access to pooled funds for members engaged in small businesses,” he said.
Karieren explained that the cooperative scheme would allow members who contribute regularly to access financial support, with borrowing capacity tied to contributions and backed by guarantors.
He added that the welfare programmes would be implemented before embarking on an aggressive membership drive targeting younger alumni.
“For the younger ones, they will benefit from pooled funds and also from the collective experience and contacts of older members. What took us 10 years to achieve, they can achieve in less time,” he said.
The chairman urged alumni to remain connected to their alma mater and support one another for collective growth.
Earlier, the outgoing chairman, Dr. Festus Omorusi, described the event as both a formal handover and a new beginning, expressing confidence in the new leadership.
He highlighted achievements during his tenure, including increased membership locally and internationally, contributions to the Benin Technical College library project, and the emergence of national officers from the Lagos chapter.
Omorusi advised the new executive to sustain membership growth, strengthen financial systems, and prioritise welfare programmes.
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Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Monday Kanu, said the inauguration marked a significant transition, noting that the new executive was introducing welfare initiatives such as insurance and cooperative schemes.
He stressed the need to attract younger members, urging deliberate efforts to engage students before graduation and integrate them into the alumni network.
Also speaking, Barrister Larry Ofulue described the transition as constitutional and timely, expressing confidence in Karireren’s capacity to move the chapter forward.
He commended the outgoing executive for fostering unity and improving member support despite economic challenges.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the new leadership would build on past achievements while expanding welfare programmes and boosting membership across Lagos and beyond.
