Princewaleans Hail RCBank MD Dr Walton Gilpin for World-Class Toll-Gate
Members of the Prince of Wales School community have hailed 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 newly constructed facility, fully sponsored by the Gilpin family at home and abroad, has been welcomed by Princewaleans as a significant contribution to the institution and another example of an old boy giving back to the school that played a role in shaping his life.
For members of the Princewalean community, the new toll-gate represents more than an improvement to the school’s physical infrastructure. They say it reflects a combination of family heritage, gratitude, service and a continued commitment to the development of Prince of Wales School.
Dr Gilpin is himself a Princewalean and previously served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of Prince of Wales School, where he contributed to the leadership and development of the institution.
His latest contribution also builds on a longstanding connection between the Gilpin family and the school. Male members of the family have attended Prince of Wales School across generations, creating a relationship that extends beyond Dr Gilpin’s own time as a student.
The decision to associate the new toll-gate with the Gilpin family therefore carries particular significance, highlighting the family’s longstanding connection with one of Sierra Leone’s historic educational institutions.
Dr Gilpin’s support for Prince of Wales has also extended beyond his years as a student and his service on the school’s 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 documented his support for students participating in sports including cricket, scrabble, football, rollball and basketball.
His connection with the school has remained visible during important institutional occasions. In April 2024, Dr Gilpin was among distinguished Princewaleans who participated in the school’s 99th anniversary celebration.
The wider Prince of Wales alumni community has similarly maintained a tradition of supporting the institution. The Prince of Wales Alumni Association Texas, for example, has identified financial and material support for the school, including scholarships and sporting and other development initiatives, as part of its mission.
Against this background, the newly constructed toll-gate has emerged as another visible example of alumni support for the school.
The project comes as educational institutions across Sierra Leone continue to rely on partnerships with alumni, parents, communities and other stakeholders to improve infrastructure and create better learning environments for students.
For Princewaleans, the toll-gate is expected to serve as a lasting reminder of the responsibility that comes with belonging to the school’s alumni community.
Prince of Wales School, located in Kingtom, Freetown, was inaugurated on 6 April 1925 by the then Prince of Wales and has since become one of Sierra Leone’s notable secondary schools. The institution marked its centenary in 2025, celebrating 100 years of educational heritage and the contributions of its graduates to Sierra Leone and beyond.
The school’s centenary records also feature members of the Gilpin family, further highlighting the family’s longstanding connection with the institution.
The new toll-gate consequently carries significance beyond its physical function at the school’s entrance.
For Dr Walton Gilpin, it represents a contribution to his alma mater. For the Gilpin family, it reflects continuity across generations. And for Princewaleans, it stands as another example of how former students can translate their connection with an institution into tangible support.
The structure now forms part of the entrance to Prince of Wales School, linking the institution’s long history with its present-day development while leaving a lasting contribution for future generations of Princewaleans.
Built through the resources of the Gilpin family, the toll-gate ultimately stands as a visible expression of legacy, service and commitment to an alma mater.