“To the Stars Through Bolts and Bars” — 88 Years of Building a Nation, One Mind at a Time
BUGUMA, RIVERS STATE — FEBRUARY 14, 2026
It was a day of pride, nostalgia and renewed commitment as Kalabari National College, KNC Buguma marked its 88th Founders’ Day — nearly nine decades since a people decided that education was the “white man’s juju” they must master to secure their identity and future.
What began in a borrowed building in 1938 has become the fountainhead of leadership for the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
THE BIRTH: FROM MISSION TO NATION
The story of KNC began not in a classroom, but in a council chamber.
In April 1934, during the Nigerian Baptist Convention session in Buguma, the Amanyanabo, his chiefs and elders made a historic request: Establish a secondary school on our soil. Name it Kalabari College. The Convention noted it and prayed.
Two years later, in 1936, Dr. William Henry Carson and his wife arrived as resident missionaries. The chiefs renewed the request. This time, terms were clear: Buguma would provide the land and raise funds. They agreed to pay $1,600 for an unmarried missionary-principal. The Carsons promised to secure approval and a principal.
The challenge was met. Rev. Carson demanded £400 to establish the school. The Buguma chiefs paid in full.
Thus, in February 1938, the American Baptist Mission opened Kalabari College in Buguma — the first secondary school in the town. Chief Abraham Bagshaw Batubo acted as Principal, with the hope that an American would follow.
When that didn’t happen in 1939, Buguma took destiny into its own hands. The chiefs employed Bankole Wright, a Jamaican graduate, and took over proprietorship from the Mission. In 1940, the name changed to Kalabari National College — “National” because it was built by the nation of Kalabari, for the nation of Kalabari.
Later, Chief Jim George became de jure proprietor and late Chief Charles Inko-Tariah the manager.
WHY BUGUMA FOUGHT FOR A SCHOOL
The 1930s were a time of awakening. News of political struggle against Britain had reached Kalabariland. The Kalabari saw that education, not just gunboats, won nations.
They watched foreign doctors heal, and Yoruba lawyers from Lagos argue their land cases. They decided: Our elder sons must be trained. We must have a grammar school.
This was patriotism in action. It was also pragmatism. Poor roads and tender ages made sending children far away dangerous. A school at home would save them — and inspire others.
THE STRUGGLE AND THE SACRIFICE
The dream almost collapsed. The plan to site the college at Hooper Kiri, with contracts awarded to A.K Bob-Manuel of Abonnema, looked too ambitious. Other towns developed cold feet. Even in Buguma, some doubted the community could bear the cost.
But for BIAS — the Buguma Improvement Association in Lagos — KNC would not exist. These sons and daughters taxed themselves in Lagos and sent money home. They built the main school block and the Principal’s quarters.
Individual sacrifice followed. Around 1958, financial crisis hit under British Principal Mr. Clayton, and deepened under Mr. Gibbs. Salaries could not be paid.
At that moment, Chief I.D. Erekosima, renowned educationist and Governing Board member since 1938, joined Chief A.B. Batubo and HRH Frederick Princewill Amachree VIII to mortgage their personal landed properties in Port Harcourt. They raised a bank loan from Union Bank to keep KNC alive. The collateral stayed in the bank until the debt was fully repaid.
That is the DNA of KNC: leaders who put their own homes on the line for the next generation.
The school was approved by the Eastern Nigeria Government in 1954. In 1964, the Catholic Mission under Bishop Okoye took over management. The girls were moved to form Marywood Girls’ College under Rev. Fr. Butler and Vice-Principal W.H. Kio Lawson. KNC remained the boys’ college and a co-educational pioneer for Buguma women.
THE LEGACY: A MELTING POT OF GIANTS
KNC was the first community secondary school in Rivers State and one of the earliest in the former Eastern Region. At founding, only Enitonia High School existed in Port Harcourt.
Its gates were flung open. Students came from Kalabari, Ahoada, Ikwerre, Ogoni, Bonny, Brass, Ijaw, Umuahia, Aba, Okrika and beyond. KNC became a crucible, welding the Niger Delta together.
It could not board all. So Buguma families hosted students. Bonds formed that still hold today.
From its classrooms came Nigeria’s builders:
Law & Governance:
- Late Chief (Dr) N.B. Graham-Douglas, former Federal Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
- Chief Howard F. David-West, former Federal Solicitor-General.
- Prof. Tam David-West, former Minister of Petroleum and Energy.
- Justice Adolphus G. Karibi-Whyte and Justice Ikechi Francis Ogbuagu, Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
- Justice Donald Graham-Douglas, first Chief Judge of Rivers State.
- G.A. Graham-Douglas, 2nd SAN from Rivers State.
- W.H. Kio Lawson and M.D. Goodhead, distinguished jurists.
Public Service & Academia:
- Sumner Dagogo-Jack, former Head of Service, Rivers State, and former National Chairman of NECON.
- Engr. Tele Ikuru, former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
- Sir C.T. John-Horsfall, first Surveyor-General of Rivers State.
- D. Kelsey David-West, Federal Director of Veterinary Services.
- Prof. Geoffrey Ibim, Atlanta University.
- Prof. Orlando George, mathematician.
- Prof. Igolima D. Princewill.
Culture & Business:
- Bobby Benson, premier Nigerian highlife musician.
- Chief E. Flag Amachree and O.K. Isokariari, business pioneers.
- Alhaji Abdul Rasaq, one of the first lawyers in Northern Nigeria.
Women Pioneers:
- Christiana Owiyeba Amachree, first female Kalabari graduate in 1953.
- Priscilla Gillis-Harry,
- Gloria A. Inko-Tariah,
- Faith Bob-Manuel,
- Mrs. Florence Daisy Ajumogobia,
- Mrs. Bilaye Tariah — teachers and trailblazers.
And yes, Ahmadou Ahidjo, first President of Cameroon, walked these halls.
From one teacher in 1938 — Chief A.B. Batubo — to a hall of fame.
88 YEARS LATER: BUILDING AGAIN
Today, under KANACOSA — the Old Students Association, KNC is rising again.
They have delivered: electrification to the national grid, water reticulation, a fully equipped ICT lab, science lab materials, a new gate, musical instruments, and scholarships.
At the 88th Founders’ Day Executive Session, KANACOSA honored BOT chieftains Chief Dr. Dakorinama George-Kelly, Engrs Iseleye Datubo Amachree, James Joshua Braide, and sets from 1971-2000 for their sacrifices.
The next mission is bold: a 250-capacity CBT Centre for 2026. With designs ready and BOQ underway, it will stop students of Asari-Toru LGA from traveling long distances for JAMB and WAEC CBT. It will be a resource and revenue hub for the college.
KANACOSA has also appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for a full remodelling of KNC — modern boarding houses, labs, library, sports facilities, and more science teachers — just as was done for Birabi Memorial and Okrika Grammar School.
EPILOGUE
From Theophilus Goodhead’s building, to Horsfall’s compound, to Abbiyiboye Abbi’s building, to its permanent site — KNC has moved, but never drifted.
Its anthem still rings:
“Kalabaris and Ogonis, All the Ibos and Ibibios, Make the school resound with song…”
For 88 years, Kalabari National College has proven that when a community decides its children will learn, no amount of “bolts and bars” can stop them from reaching the stars.
Per Aspera Ad Astra.
- Clues and facts for this article were provided by Princewill Claudius, Alumnus, Kalabari National College, Buguma.
