By Staff Writer
Members of the Prince of Wales School community have commended RCBank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, and his family for sponsoring the construction of a modern toll gate at the entrance of the historic school in Kingtom, Freetown.
The facility was fully sponsored by the Gilpin family at home and abroad and has been welcomed by Princewaleans as a meaningful contribution to the development of their alma mater.
Dr Gilpin is a former student of Prince of Wales School and previously served as Chairman of the school’s Board of Governors. His latest contribution adds to his longstanding relationship with the institution.
The connection between the Gilpin family and Prince of Wales School also extends across generations, with male members of the family having attended the school over the years.
Members of the Princewalean community said the new toll gate represents more than an improvement to the school’s entrance. They described it as a reflection of family heritage, gratitude and continued commitment to the development of the institution.
Dr Gilpin’s support for the school has extended beyond his time as a student and his service on the Board of Governors. In 2023, he supported the Prince of Wales football team ahead of a major inter secondary school competition, with the school’s Principal publicly expressing appreciation for his assistance.
Reports have also highlighted his support for students involved in sporting activities, including cricket, scrabble, football, rollball and basketball.
His connection with the institution was again demonstrated in April 2024 when he joined other distinguished Princewaleans to celebrate the school’s 99th anniversary.
The wider Prince of Wales alumni community has also continued to support the institution through various initiatives. The Prince of Wales Alumni Association Texas, for example, has identified scholarships, sporting activities and other development projects among areas of support for the school.
The new toll gate adds to these efforts and provides another visible example of alumni contributing to the institution.
Prince of Wales School was inaugurated on April 6, 1925, by the then Prince of Wales. Located in Kingtom, Freetown, the school has become one of Sierra Leone’s notable secondary institutions.
The school celebrated its centenary in 2025, marking 100 years of educational heritage and recognising the contributions of its former students to Sierra Leone and beyond.
The centenary records also highlighted the longstanding connection between the Gilpin family and the school.
For Princewaleans, the new facility is therefore being viewed as a lasting contribution to the institution and a reminder of the importance of giving back to one’s alma mater.
Built through the resources of the Gilpin family, the toll gate now forms part of the school’s entrance and is expected to serve the institution and future generations of students.
