Encomium
Contrary to the story trending in the social media that St. Nicholas College, owned by star actor Emeka Ike and wife, Suzzane has been shut, ENCOMIUM Weekly has been told it’s only the Lagos State government that has the power to close down a school.
In an exclusive interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Sunday, February 2, 2014, the controversial actor-turned entrepreneur admitted he has pending court matter with the owners of the property which necessitated moving the school to a permanent site.
“It is not true that St. Nicholas College has been shut. It is only the Lagos State government or relevant government agency that has the authority to close schools. So, there is nothing like that. Yes, we have a matter in court, which we will bring to your notice later in the week. There is no cause for sensational news reporting.
“No. 1 Raji Oladimeji Crescent, Magodo, Lagos is not only the property St. Nicholas College can operate from. So, we are moving to another site,” Emeka Ike explained through his media manager, Mr. Great Imo. On the allegation of mis-managing the school, Emeka Ike’s spokesman urged our reporter to ignore wicked harbingers of false information. He rather said that St. Nicholas College is one of the best run schools in Nigeria.
“Sorry, I’m in at a meeting and can’t take your call. Please, call my manager, Mr. Great Imo. Please, be properly guided in your write,” Emeka Ike had earlier said when we called for his side of the story on Sunday, February 2, 2014.
Before Emeka Ike’s clarification, it was alleged that the school was shut down by bailiffs after a protracted legal battle since its establishment in 2005. According to the report, the movie star was battling for the ownership of the school property which he finally lost days back to its original owners.
It happened that under the instruction of the court, the school was taken possession of and allegedly sealed. Some of the furniture air conditioners and school buses were taken by the court, while others were abandoned outside the school premises.
Controversial to no end, Emeka Ike is a Lagosian by birth. He had all his education in Lagos. Attending Ejigbo Community High School, he read Mechanical Engineering at Yaba College of Technology.
Emeka Ike who is credited with over 200 movies kicked off his acting career about 20 years ago with Deadly Affairs.
He diversified in 2005 by setting up a private school, St. Nicholas College with his half-Dutch, half Isoko, Delta pretty wife. He reportedly invested over N200 million in the school that was doing very well at the initial stage only to run into troubled waters months back.
But despite all odds, the Igbo red cap chief Nollywood stakeholder and film maker says all is well with St. Nicholas College.
-UCHE OLEHI
