The leadership of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools is currently grappling with a crisis.
A faction of the Lagos State Elders Forum and the Vice-Chapter Chairperson, Lagos, NAPPS, Dr Omolayo Shokunbi, have jointly passed a vote of no confidence on the emergence of Dr Samuel Bodunde as the newly elected president of the Lagos chapter.
Bodunde and other officials were declared the winner of an election conducted over the weekend.
However, the election has since sparked discontent within the association.
After the election last weekend, the national president, NAPPS, Mr Yomi Otubela, announced that concerned members and stakeholders in Lagos State had suspended the state president of NAPPS, Chief Lukman Yusuf, due to financial mismanagement, unruly behavior, harassment of local government chairpersons, and insubordination to national authority.
But at a press briefing held on Monday, the Lagos State Elders Forum, in a statement signed by its chairman, Alhaji A.R.A. Bello, and secretary, Temitope Odutola, condemned the alleged imposition of leadership by the national NAPPS leader, Otubela.
The statement read in part, “Great Educators, we, the members of Lagos State NAPPS Elders Forum, categorically denounce the imposition of some nominated leaders under Mr Yomi Otubela. We stand on the 2017 NAPPS constitution without any form of bias. We advise our great educators to disregard any call for a meeting or notices from such a group.
“We affirm our loyalty to our duly elected president, High Chief Lukman Yusuf, the National President, Hajia Semira Jubril & NEC, and the BOT led by Dr. Mujinyawa.”
Similarly, Shokunbi, while reading a signed communiqué from concerned NAPPS Lagos Chapter members, reiterated that a vote of no confidence had been passed on Bodunde and the newly elected executive.
The communiqué, addressed to the NAPPS National President and copied to the Council of Elders and Alimosho NAPPS, cited several reasons for the decision. Among them were:
“Alleged unilateral decision-making by Bodunde without consulting executive members, and lack of respect for and disregard for elders within the association.”
However, after the election last weekend, Otubela announced that concerned members and stakeholders in Lagos State had suspended Chief Alaka Yusuf, the state president of the NAPPS, due to financial mismanagement, unruly behavior, harassment of local government chairpersons, and insubordination to national authority.
He said, “Following the suspension, a peaceful protest was conducted, demanding immediate elections of a new Lagos State executive committee. The Southwest officers conducted the elections, resulting in the emergence of new leaders to pilot the affairs of the state, Dr Bodunde Samuel as President; Mrs Yetunde Balogun as Vice-President; Mr Yusuf Ibrahim as Secretary; Mr Adebisi as Financial Secretary, and Mr Olawale Cardozo as Treasurer.
In a goodwill message, Otunba Safiriyu Ganiyu, representing the Board of Trustees, emphasised NAPPS Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and loyalty.
In a call to action to all local chapters in Lagos State, NAPPS told them to “Adhere to the organisation’s rules and regulations, as mandated by the CAC-approved NAPPS 2023 Constitution. Prioritise transparency, accountability, and loyalty to NAPPS, ensuring the continued growth and success of the organisation.
“Recognise and respect only CAC-recognised incorporated trustees, upholding the legitimacy of the organization’s governance structure.
“This significant shift in leadership underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and loyalty within the organisation. As NAPPS Nigeria moves forward, it is crucial for all stakeholders to work together, prioritising the growth and success of the organisation.”
