By Chigozie Daniel
A new leadership has emerged for the Lagos Chapter of the Benin Technical College Old Students Association, BETECOSA, with the inauguration of Sir Ralph Jakpor Karireren as chairman, who has immediately unveiled a comprehensive welfare-focused agenda aimed at strengthening members’ wellbeing and attracting younger alumni.
Karireren, who will lead the association for the next two years, said his administration would prioritise three key policy initiatives, group life insurance, health insurance and a cooperative scheme. as a “raft” to support members, particularly the older generation.
“Today, I have been inaugurated as the current chairman for the next two years, Lagos chapter,” he said, noting that members in their 50s, 60s and above require structured welfare support to navigate life’s challenges.
According to him, under the proposed group life insurance policy, families of deceased members would receive a minimum of N1.5 million as benefit.
“The second one is the HMO, to ensure members have access to medical attention 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 explained.
He added that the cooperative scheme would enable members who contribute regularly to access financial support, with provisions for guarantors, stressing that contributions would determine borrowing capacity.
Karireren further disclosed that the administration would implement the welfare programmes before embarking on an aggressive membership drive targeted at younger alumni.
“For the younger ones, they will benefit from access to 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.
He emphasised the need for alumni to remain connected to their alma mater, urging graduates across institutions to contribute to the growth of their schools and support fellow alumni.
Earlier, the outgoing chairman, Dr. Festus Omorusi, described the event as a formal handover and a new beginning for the association, expressing confidence in the incoming leadership to build on existing achievements.
Omorusi highlighted key milestones recorded 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.
The former chairman further advised the new leadership to sustain membership growth, strengthen financial systems, prioritise welfare programmes, and deepen engagement among members.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Monday Kanu, said the inauguration marked a significant transition, noting that the new executive was introducing key welfare initiatives such as insurance and cooperative schemes for the first time.
He stressed the importance of attracting younger members to sustain the association, adding that deliberate efforts must be made to engage students before graduation and integrate them into the alumni network.
On his part, Barrister Larry Ofulue described the leadership transition as necessary and in line with the association’s constitution, expressing confidence in Karireren’s capacity to take the chapter to greater heights.
He commended the outgoing executive for fostering unity and introducing welfare initiatives despite economic challenges, noting that regular meetings and member support had improved under the previous administration.
Stakeholders at the event unanimously expressed optimism that the new leadership would consolidate on past achievements while expanding welfare programmes and boosting membership across Lagos and beyond.