Old students honour teachers at reunion, renovate classrooms

Old students of Baptist Academy, Lagos state (BAOSA) class of 90 recently gathered to celebrate their teachers and give back to their alma mater, which nurtured and groomed them into becoming successful citizens.

Describing teachers as the life wire of any society, the old students stressed the need for alumni associations to reward excellence and diligence.In his remarks, chairman of the association, Mr. Adedeji Popoola said the reunion provided an opportunity to celebrate over 30 years of life after high school.

“We decided to appreciate the grace of God upon our lives for keeping us alive. Our lives have followed many parts over the years; there have been twists and turns. We have celebrated great joy in our individual lives and we have suffered great pains. Through it all, we are grateful for the partnership we have with God and that his grace has been available to us in times of celebration and in times of trial.”

He explained that the celebration was aimed at celebrating the students in order to encourage them.He added that as part of activities for the reunion, old teachers and students will be given awards while the school will be renovated and indigent students awarded scholarship. National President of BAOSA, Mr. Lanre Idowu, took the audience down memory lane on the path the school has taken over the years.

For a century from its Lagos Island base, the school has produced many students who made great marks in academics, sports, administration and various spheres of life as a result of increasing demands for the quality education received here, which emphasised scholarship and character. Records showed the late Dr. Joseph Adegbite, the first African principal as the longest serving principal. He was a member of staff of the school for a decade before his appointment and was a father to students and staff, who harped on the lesson that scholarship without character is dangerous.

“In the 70s, when the military took over Lagos Baptist Academy and other mission schools as part of its policy to own schools, part of the consequence was that its well-tended facilities became overstretched as four more schools were planted in the compound. The strong Christians foundation was weakened, the rich school traditions compromised and critical stakeholders estranged from the school. It was not until 2001 that Bola Tinubu administration realised the error and courageously returned mission schools to their original owners.”