Baptist Academy Old Students set to cut their anniversary cake

Alumni Celebrate 55 Years Of Leaving School, Raise Fund For Projects
The Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lekki, recently came aglow when members of Baptist Academy Old Students Association (BAOSA) converged to celebrate the 55th year of entering the school.

With different shades and designs of their white attire and traditional caps in their school colours to match, the old boys kindled the spirit of camaraderie, embraced old time friends and acquaintances, had warm handshakes, aside doses of rib cracking jokes. Their show of love and affinity were highly infectious.

As parts of reminiscing their days in school, they sang the school hymns, rendering it in diverse tones and voices to the envy of non-old boys and the motivation of the present students of the Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos, at the event.

Tagged: “55th Anniversary Reunion Dinner Of Entering Secondary School,” the Chairman of BAOSA 1970-74/76 set, Anthony Egoegonwa, in his speech, noted that alumni intervention in education in Nigeria is the way to go, since government does not have the fund needed to improve education.

He added that BAOSA is taking up the responsibility to see that their alma mater maintains its old standard.

He said: “Education is no longer what it used to be. During our time, we enjoyed a lot of things. We lived in boarding house and enjoyed special meals. Alumni are raising the standards to ensure future generations enjoy what they enjoyed.We have two projects in mind and they are the tennis courts. We have commissioned one, which is now in use.

“The second one would be for grooming students and those who love the game. We have also provided computers in classrooms and constructed computer centre, while the dining hall is undergoing renovation.”

Apart from speeches from set heads, the event featured the launch of a book titled: “Five Decades After, A Reflection On Our Years At Baptist Academy,”edited by Lanre Idowu, and fundraising for the construction of the second lawn tennis court, among other projects.

In his speech, Mr. Lanre Idowu, the chairman of the anniversary committee and the editor of the book, said the event is an opportunity to renew ties with one another and see how to help members and the school that afforded them the opportunity to receive sound education.

He disclosed that alumni associations are brand ambassadors; they know what the school represents and are passionate about bringing out key elements that can reposition and revitalise it.

Commenting on the book, he disclosed that it is a way of documenting their experiences in school.
“Ten years ago, when we did 40 years of leaving school, we had a book on reflections and reminiscences. So, this time around, we decided that we should expand what we did then, to something fresh.

“So, we looked at those values we enjoyed and nurtured over the years, and reflected on them. The idea is that anybody who has received secondary school education, whether in Nigeria or outside, will be able to relate with some of those things we are saying. And by sharing them, we are inspiring others to document their own story.

“We feel that when that communal memory is well-nurtured and nourished, that is when we can have a sense of development and growth in the society.”

He enjoined current students to make the best use of their opportunity, adding that there are people who want to go to school, but do not have the opportunity.

“So, those who have the opportunity should use it well and see it as the beginning of a greater stride in life. Nobody can take education away from you. Thus, when you are educated in an all-round manner, you have healthy mind and body.”