Douglas, Otaji bag Baptist High School old students’ awards

As part of events to mark the 70th anniversary celebration of Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, two of her old students, Alabo Tonye Graham Douglas and Dr Emi Membere-Otaji have been honoured with the prestigious ‘Distinguished Old Student’ award by the college’s old students association.

The colourful award ceremony witnessed a gathering of high net worth and prominent individuals from diverse backgrounds and sections of the society who had at one time or the other passed through the renowned institution.

In his remark, Chairman of the occasion and President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji said he will continue to have fond memories of the school that was the best citadel of learning in the heydays while he also called on everyone to ensure all hands are on deck to change the fortunes and reposition the school.

He lamented that the history and structure of the school are under serious threats following the ensuing decadence, neglect and systematic encroachment upon its land leading to the near total destruction of the entire school.He said: “As old students we are critical stakeholders, hence we must work closely to preserve the rich history and excellence Baptist High School has been known for.

“Having basically achieved a good legacy from the school, it is only necessary for us to do the needful so that the present crop of students will also benefit from us as we benefited from the benevolence of a public school system.”He charged the incoming exco to strive to reposition the school by building on the momentum of the past excos.

Appreciating the award also, Alabo Tonye Graham Douglas, who is a four-time Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, attributed the success and height he has attained today to the moral and academic upbringing inculcated in him by the BHS.

He said: “Yes we need to do more, so that others will also be impacted and the only way is for us all to work assiduously and contribute our resources to bring back the glory days. What is the way forward, I join myself in the plan to donate cash, I will also in conjunction with others see how we can start the process of rebuilding the school library.”

In his remark the outgoing president of the Old Boys’ Association, Monima Karibi Whyte said the infrastructural decay is worrisome, charging the association to change the face of the institution.

The incoming President of BHS old students association, Karibi George said the task ahead is quite enormous and called for the support of all and sundry. “As we celebrate our 70 years of existence it is hoped that the ‘old boys’ would rise to preserve their alma mater and restore its lost glory”, he said.