How then Ogun military gov Daniel Akintonde boosted founding of Ayegun Baptist Church College 30yrs ago (PHOTOS)

Image caption: Col Daniel Akintonde (rtd)

How then Ogun military gov Daniel Akintonde boosted founding of Ayegun Baptist Church College 30yrs ago (PHOTOS)

Niyi AJALA

Ayegun Baptist Church College, Temidire, along Otamokun road, Ogbomoso, Friday, celebrated the 30th anniversary of its founding amid fanfare.

The milestone event which also marked the 2025 graduation ceremony came up at the school premises – G.O. Lasehinde Hall – drawing many dignitaries including Rt. Hon. Gunju Ojo, a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly (chairman of the occasion); Dns.Sarah Aderiike Oyeyemi (mother of the day); Pst Ojedapo Simeon Adeyemi; Pastor Bar. Remi Adebiyi; Dr.and Dns Segun Ogunwobi; and Alhaja Asifat Sala; as well as many former students.

But amid the festivities it was revealed how the then Military Administrator of Ogun state Col. Daniel Akintonde (1993 – 1996), an indigene of Ogbomoso attended a fund raising programme put up to generate funds for the start of the huge project. This is revealed in the history of the school published in the brochure for the 30th anniversary programme.

Col. Akintonde (now retired) was so enamoured with the dream that he brought along his cabinet members to the event and his contributions buoyed the vision, leading to the school becoming the first mission private secondary school in Ogbomosoland. It now has a nursery and primary section too. It is good to always be part of history makers.

The 30th anniversary meanwhile incorporated the 2025 graduation ceremony of SSS 3 students who passed out in July.

Delivering the valedictory speech, Pastor Engr Femi Amole said the occasion was a call to “renewed commitment” to the school by all stakeholders.

Pastor Amole

Amole an alumnus of the school asserted the vision of the founding fathers of the school is being achieved.

“Thirty years ago, this noble institution was birthed out of a vision — a vision to raise godly, disciplined, and academically sound men and women who will shine as lights in their communities and the wider world. Over the years, that vision has blossomed. Today, Ayegun Baptist Church College stands tall as a beacon of moral instruction, academic excellence, and spiritual nurture. As alumni, we are living testimonies of that vision fulfilled.”

He highlighted that aside education grooming, the school imparts “timeless values of integrity, diligence, humility, and service.”

“We learned to kneel before God so that we could stand tall before men. We were groomed not only to pass examinations but also to face life with courage, faith, and resilience.”

The clergyman charged the alumni to continue to make impact in the world in their various endeavours and give back to their alma mater “in mentorship, in resources, in prayers, and in goodwill,” noting this will “ensure that the flame lit 30 years ago never goes out.”

This is as he urged the 2025 graduands to be good ambassadors of the school and to face life’s challenges with courage, diligence and faith in God.

He further emphasized, “The future of Ayegun Baptist Church College is not in the hands of strangers; it is in our hands. It is in the dedication of her teachers, the discipline of her students, the support of her alumni, and above all, the sustaining grace of Almighty God.

“Therefore, let us pledge afresh today to keep the flag flying high. Let us pledge to guard the legacy, to strengthen the foundation, and to ensure that this college continues to produce men and women of distinction for many generations to come.”

Principal

In her farewell message, principal of the school, Dns. A.A. Eebo charged the graduands not to derail in the midst of moral rot in the society, submitting, “You have been shown the good path to greatness and your feet are already set on the right route. Always remember the virtues of discipline, excellence, which have been imparted to you. honesty, hard work, self-confidence, striving for please make the fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom your watchword. To crown it all, be a good ambassador of this great citadel of learning and do not forget your alma-mater. I wish you the very best in your future endeavours.”

Hon Michael Abioye JP, chairman of the education management committee, in his remark, titled, “Celebrating the past, preparation for the future,” eulogized the founding fathers for “the birth of an enduring legacy,” while expressing gratitude that the school has continued to flourish in spite of teething problems just as he commended the current pastor of Ayegun Baptist Church Rev’d. Dr. Paul Okanlawon Olaleye “for his resolve, passion and commitment to lift the institution to an enviable height.”

Hon Abioye also lauded other stakeholders – parents and guardians and their umbrella body – Parents Forum, staff and students.

He as well congratulated the graduating students and implored them to pursue noble dreams and causes, telling them, “More grounds still need to be covered. Therefore, be reminded that, success is not final, failure is not always fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.”

Hon Abioye

He listed some achievements in recent times including construction of two blocks of new toilets, refurbishment of laboratory, acquisition of a new bus, provision of iron chairs and lockers among others assuring the school would not rest on its oars.

Minister – in – charge, Rev’d Dr Olaleye thanked the Parent Forum for its contributions particularly mentioning the recent purchase of a Hummer Bus for the school and renovation of the principal’s office while however urging parents to allow their children to write their final exams in the school.

The man of God who doubles as the proprietor similarly expressed gratitude to the staff reminding them of a quotation by Rita Pierson, “Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.”

He encouraged the alumni association to persist in contributing to the school highlighting some areas of urgent need including renovation of hall and provision of chairs therein, beautification of the old classrooms, painting of laboratory, buying standard equipment for the laboratory, laptop computers etc.

Rev’d Olaleye

He as well appreciated both the Women Missionary Union (WMU) and Men Missionary Union (MMU) of the church, for their various contributions to the growth of the school, praying, “The Lord will continue to make you all relevant, useful and usable all the days of your life in Jesus name.”

In similar vein, he charged the graduands, “keep your eyes on the stars. and your feet on the ground,” quoting Theodore Roosevelt. He also stressed the importance of “hard work, honesty and integrity,” in line with a Nelson Mandela’s submission, just as he underlined, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” as espoused by Eleanor Roosevelt.

The event was preceded by a novelty match won by the alumni. A day earlier, on the 25th, founders’ day was held.

The programme continues today with an alumni fundraising while on Sunday, a thanksgiving service will be held at the church.

A brief history of the school

The school was established on September 25, 1995, during the time of Rev’d Dr Sunday Olalekan Oyinlola as undershepherd. It took off from a private facility at Sawmill Adeleke area – Adeleke Progressive Commercial Evening Classes, while Ayegun Baptist Church Mission was converted to the hostel for the boarding students. But after six months sequel to a new law by the Oyo state government that no school should operate from a rented apartment, acquisition of land was effected – 24 acres – at the present location. Late Revd G.O. Lasehinde was the pioneer principal.

Late Rev. G. O. Lasehinde, Pa. Amos A. Ajekigbe and Pa. S. O. Olaniran were actually credited with initiating the idea which was embraced and adopted leading to the constitution of a committee to birth the dream. Aside the trio other members were Mr. T. 0. Oladoye (chairman), Pa. J.0. Ishola, Mrs (now Dns) Akande and the church Pastor, Rev’d. Oyinlola also served as members.

A fund raising committee was also set up comprising Pa Amos Olaiyiwola Oyedokun (chairman), Pa A. A. Ajekigbe, Mr. S. O. Olaniran, Mr. J. O. Oyelade (Oluwofin), late Mrs. E. Oyelade, late Mr. M. O. Teru and late Mr. J. A. Ojekanmi.

A fund raising programme organised by the committee was attended by the then Military Administrator of Ogun state, Col, Daniel Akintonde along with his cabinet members.