Tribute to Archimedes Faulkner, Founding Trustee of POWSAF

On 29th July 2021, it was with very deep remorse and sadness that we received the news of the passing of our friend and colleague Archimedes Faulkner, who was fondly called Aki. Aki was one of the early pioneers and a Founding Trustees of the Prince of Wales School Alumni Foundation (POWSAF). On behalf of the remaining Founding Trustees of POWSAF, we would like to extend our sincere sympathies to his wife Josephine, children Tinny, Dagin and Dele, and wider family members. We hope that the support of family and friends will offer succor and hope for the future at this very difficult time.

Aki was the ultimate Princewalean. He loved his school with a passion and was probably one of the proudest Princewaleans you could come across. He would not entertain anyone besmirching the Prince of Wales School or a fellow Princewalean. Due to his financial background, he was one of the originators of the idea of starting POWSAF, the endowment fund that could generate sufficient funds to assist and maintain the educational standards and the infrastructure of the school, in 2007. With all the starts and stops we endured to get POWSAF set up, he was always one who would prompt us to not lose sight of the importance of this venture. Over the last 18 months, we followed his advice and made a concerted push to clear the final hurdles to realize the creation of POWSAF and we launched the concept to the alumni associations in May of this year. Regrettably, due to his illness, Aki was unaware of this significant milestone.

As the CEO of POWSAF, I must confess that it has been somewhat difficult for me to write this tribute, because Aki and I have known each other since I first attended the Prince of Wales School in 1969, where he even initiated me to the school with the proverbial “konk”. Aki and I interacted for many years on matters pertaining to the Prince of Wales School and the Krio Descendants Union. Our friendship was far-reaching, long-lasting and deep and weathered many storms. I am sure I speak for the other Founding Trustees when I say that Aki left an indelible impression on all he met and definitely with the vision and legacy of POWSAF.

We mourn with his family and with all those who knew him, and as his fellow Founding Trustees, we will ensure that his contribution to POWSAF is never forgotten.

Farewell Aki. Forward Ever, Backward Never – May your gentle soul now rest in perfect peace.
Melbourne Garber, George Johnson, Arnold Blanshard, Desmond Fraser, Samuel Atere-Roberts, Keith Aki-Sawyerr, Henry Shyllon, Khadiru Mahdi, Clarence Ademu-John, Chinya Harleston (Founding Trustees, POWSAF, August 2021)