OBHS alumni unveils amazing ‘Legacy Project’ to celebrate school’s 50th anniversary, see photos of past principals
Femi OGUNLANA
Ogbomoso Baptist High School Old Students’ Association (OBSHOSA) has refurbished the multi-purpose hall of their alma mater in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the school.
Unveiling activities for a five-day event to celebrate the milestone Thursday at the hall during a press conference, president of the association Dr. Nelson Aderemi Oyewo said the decision to renovate the hall which was in a derelict state was to give back to their alma mater which he noted made them.He disclosed though the association did not celebrate the fortieth anniversary different sets especially since the inauguration of the current executive in 2020 have been making significant contributions.
“We thank God for the grace, though we couldn’t celebrate anything at 40 and it became a challenge to us and today, we can all see we have arrived, we are very happy to celebrate our Golden Jubilee anniversary. We have been doing one thing or the other, we have been contributing to the development of the school and we have been doing a lot to ensure the school is actually assisted. Between 2020 and 2023 when this present national executive came on board there are a lot of things that have been done by different sets and national body too.”
Advertisement
Dr. Oyewo who is immediate past Provost of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo (now Emmanuel Alayande University of Education), highlighted the various interventions by different sets.
These according to him included the 1979 set (the second set) which donated 75 computers and 80 chairs, science equipment including microscopes, full-sized skeleton for teaching biology, various charts for teaching chemistry and biology and a laptop, upgraded the school’s sickbay with drugs and bed; 1980 set donated 12 executive tables and chairs in commemoration of their 40th graduation; 1985 set – lawn mower and a block of two classrooms (under construction); 1995 set donated 6, 000 customized exercise books to the students; 1983 set – renovated a block of two classrooms; 1992 set – a generator; 1991 – customized exercise books to the students.
Others are: the national body paid NECO exam fees for 27 indigent students in 2021, in support of that 1979 set also paid for 15 indigent students; 1980 set further paid NECO fees of four indigent students in 2022; 1979 set supported the valedictory services of the school with gifts for all subjects for two years covering 2021 and 2022. 1998 set – 100 stools for the library; 1988 set – borehole and science equipment to the school.
“These are confirmation that the old students have not left the school all alone, the school produced us and we feel it’s better for us to give back to the school and that is why we are all here to celebrate the 50 years anniversary of the establishment of the school,” Oyewo further said.
A breakdown of the events lined up for the anniversary include on Wednesday, courtesy visits to traditional rulers (Soun of Ogbomoso and Onpetu of Ijeru palaces which though could not be held as Soun stool is vacant and Onpetu, Oba Sunday Oyediran is out of the country), just as the ones scheduled to the President of Ogbomoso Baptist Conference (the founder of the school), Rev’d Dr Thomas Niyi Ojo, and the chairman of Ogbomoso South local government, Hon. Timothy Oyedokun, were aborted because of the engagement of Dr Ojo in the mission’s annual conference session and unavailability of Hon Oyedokun.
For Thursday, health walk/talk “to keep members medically and physically fit.” The health walk was a kind of rally, colourfully held, to create awareness for the landmark event; health talk was later held anchored by an old student who is a medical practitioner and later in the day novelty football match and games.
Health screening will hold morning of Friday and Saturday for the benefit of members and others for checking of BP, sugar level and so on with subsequent advice and follow up assured. Friday will in addition feature finals of quiz and debate as well as essay competitions among students of the school (JSS 1 to SS3) with presentation of prizes. Charity visit to less-privileged homes specifically Kersey’s Children Home (Baby) and the Blind Training Centre is scheduled for Friday evening.
The grand finale will hold on Saturday, during which about 700 people are expected, and will feature programmes such as dedication of the refurbished hall; anniversary lecture titled, “The role of old students’ association in the development of their alma mata” to be delivered by Prof Rachel Toyosi Idowu; appreciation and award of honours on past and present principals of the school (11) including those who are deceased and also serving teachers; and on Sunday, Founder’s Day/thanksgiving service will unravel at Ayegun Baptist Church. “That’s one of the churches we used to worship at (as boarder students). Other churches we attended are Gaa Lagbedu, Olodanbon and Ijeru Baptist Churches, so we just chose one to have a good nostalgia of when we were students, we want to relive that period,” enthused the chairman of the planning committee Professor Henry Odeyinka.
A facility tour was subsequently undertaken.
The anniversary which has been unfolding with a large number of old students in attendance is embellished with side attractions as lunch meals, social interactions and anniversary get-together party which will hold Saturday evening to round off an exciting Golden Jubilee celebration.
The school was founded on September 3, 1973, after the then Ogbomoso Baptist Association constituted a committee headed by Rev’d S.A. Ige of Ijeru Baptist Church. Other members of the committee are Reverends Okesiji (Okelerin First Baptist Church), Joseph Ogunmoriyele (Ayegun), Fanibe (Ori-Oke) and D.W. Adetoye (Ebenezer). Also in the committee were Deacon Ayegboyin and Mr. D.A. Isola (Charity Photo). Land was acquired from the then Onpetu of Ijeru Oba Solomon Oladeji Atoyebi II and then Prince Oladunni Oyewumi (who later became Soun of Ogbomoso as Ajagungbade III) rescued the mission with the huge financial donation required.
After a meticulous search, Mr. (later Chief) Joseph Babalola Ojo, a graduate teacher of Ogbomoso origin, at Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, was approached to assume the position of principal. He thus assumed duty as pioneer principal in July 1973. Dedication service for the school was held on September 3, 1973.
Seventy nine students (79 ) – 56 boys and 23 girls – were admitted as foundation students from all over Nigeria after rigorous and competitive common entrance examination and interview. The official opening took place on March 2, 1974, performed by Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, the then Soun of Ogbomosoland.
Today, eleven principals have headed the school including the incumbent. They are J.B. Ojo (1973 – 1980), Prince Timothy Beyioku (1980 – 1984), Deacon David Isola (1984 – 1991), Chief Samuel Adetutu (1991 – 1999), Deacon Timothy Ajamu (1999 – 2002) and Mr. Williams Bolade (2002 – 2005).
Others are Prince Ezekiel Ajiboye (2005 – 2011), Mrs. S.F. Gbadero (2011 – 2013), Rev’d Joel Dada (2013 – 2017), Deacon Abraham Adedeji (2017 – 2020) and Mrs. Bosede Oke (2020 till present).
The resurgence of the old students’ activities in the school is credited to Rev’d J.O. Dada, the ninth principal, during his tenure between 2013 and 2017.
