Mixed reactions have trailed the philanthropic gesture of eminent lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola to Kings College, London. The legal luminary had donated the sum of 10 million pounds to the institution. According to him, the donation will go into the establishment of the Afe Babalola African Centre for Transnational Education in King’s College as part of his efforts to enable young Africans to have access to education and opportunities which they would otherwise not be able to have.
When converted to the naira at the official exchange rate provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria, £10m is valued at N5.6 billion. Many have since reacted to the development. Some berated the philanthropist for wasting such a huge sum of money abroad when the educational system in Nigeria is nothing to write home about. They are of the opinion that he should have shared the money among poor states in Nigeria without adequate educational facilities, especially in the North where many parents cannot afford to give their children quality education.
Some critics specified that Ekiti State University in Nigeria would have benefited a lot if Chief Babalola had channeled the funds there. The act was considered a misplaced priority and some people questioned the fact that Kings College has not deemed it fit to contribute to the educational institution in Nigeria or even Afe Babalola’s educational institution in Nigeria. However, some have however applauded his kind gesture.
Former Deputy Governor of Central Bank, Kingsley Moghalu, applauded the educationist for not joining the bandwagon of many Nigerians who invest in politics. Nollywood actress, Dakore Egbuson, also commended him while praying for him. Same also with Chioma Ude, founder of Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF and Tolu Ogunlesi, Special Assistant on Digital and New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, who took time to school others about Chief Babalola’s contribution to the education sector in Nigeria and the Diaspora.
According to Ogunlesi, Chief Babalola benefited from British education, hence he wanted to give back to the system while creating an avenue for Africans abroad to also benefit from the opportunity. His daughter, Bolanle Austin-Peters also commended her father. Calling the amount donated a token, she thanked her father for the gesture.
