Akure — Chairman of Guinness Nigeria Plc. Chief Ralph Alabi, Monday, in Akure, Ondo State capital, lamented inadequate funding of education in the country as compared to the period the schools especially secondary schools were being controlled by missionaries.

Chief Alabi spoke at a press conference to usher in the activities marking the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of St Joseph's College, Ondo.

Alabi, who is the chairman of the anniversary organizing committee, said for Nigeria to be a great country, there is need for government to fund the education sector adequately.

While stating that government alone cannot fund education sector, Alabi, an old student of the school, called on other old students of the school to allow their alma mater pass through them having passed through the school themselves.

Chief Alabi said the old students of the college have cause to celebrate the golden anniversary of the college because the school which started with a building of four classrooms and three teaching staff, has been growing from strength to strength.

While highlighting some of the notable achievements of the college and the feat of some old students, the committee chairman said that a number of activities have been lined up for the golden jubilee anniversary celebration.

As part of efforts to improve on the school's infrastructure and equipment, Alabi said the old students association would launch an endowment fund of N100 million to kick-start the improvement in facilities to sustain the college in its upper segment of educational sector of the country's economy.

He said money realized from the launching would be spent in the provision of both academic and infrastructural facilities in the school such as library, classrooms renovation and building of new ones, improvement in sporting activities infrastructure, renovation of hostels and building of new ones as well as renovation of principal's residence.

Chief Alabi appealed to the government and well meaning Nigerians to support education which, he said, is the veritable permanent legacy for generations as exemplified by the college.

Other activities lined up for the celebration include inter house sports, finals of inter schools quiz competition, gala and award night and thanksgiving service which would round off the weeklong celebration..