The Founder and Chairman of the Board of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State, Dr Olumide Phillips, and all members of the school’s Board have stepped down from office.

The development was disclosed in a statement signed by Tomi Borisade on behalf of the school.

The decision of the Board members to step down, the statement said, was informed by the need to inject new blood into the running of the school; adding that the new leaders are expected to run with the vision of the school and reposition it for greater heights.

Announcing their exit, the statement said: “The founding members of the Board of Governors including the Founder and Chairman of the Board, Dr O. Olumide Phillips (Ph.D., FNSE, FNSChe, FAEng) who have worked tirelessly over the years to develop outstanding children both in and out of the school, have chosen to retire and pass the baton of change to a new generation of seasoned professionals who will run with the vision, leadership, passion, commitment and values they have worked vigorously to establish.

“This will also enhance communication and effectiveness with the Parents Teachers Forum. Their good works cannot be allowed to go in vain and they are keen to ensure that.”

On the death of Sylvester Oromoni, 12, a student of the school last November, the statement further read, “May God grant the Oromoni family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. We pray we will never experience such an unfortunate incident in our community again. Sylvester’s demise has left all of us at Dowen College deeply saddened.

“Our students, staff, and community have been affected by the news surrounding his passing and we find ourselves navigating uncharted waters.”

The school said it was working with the Lagos State Ministry of Education and took their guidance and suggestions with regard to various areas of improvement.

It promised to implement infrastructural changes to the hostels and school facilities to enhance safety and oversight within the school premises.

Meanwhile, the management of the college is eagerly awaiting the directive to reopen from the Lagos State government.

The school was shut down last December following the protests and outcry that greeted the death of Oromoni and when the government wanted to reopen it early this year, it changed the decision at the last minute.

It was gathered that a lot of consultation has been going on between the management of the college, the state government and the family of the deceased to find an amicable solution to the issue.