The Banquet hall of the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, in Lagos, was aglow on the eve of November 27, with colourful personalities when old boys of Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, Oyo State, who have made giant strides in various fields of endeavour, met. SHEHU BELLO reports
The gathering was a grand reception in honour of six distinguished alumni of Olivet Baptist High School, who have made immense contributions to the growth, development and progress of their alma mater.
The worthy ambassadors are: the Chairman, Airtel Nigeria Limited, Dr Oba Otudeko (CFR) 1956-60 set; the retired Chief Judge of Ogun State, Mr Justice Oluremi Jacobs, (OFR), (1969-70 set); foremost industrialist and oil magnate, Otunba ‘Tunji Durosinmi-Etti (1969-73 set); the Lisa of Ilara-Mokin, Dr Ayo Ojo, who single handedly revived the virtually defunct association 10 years ago, and two past presidents of the national body of Old Students’ Association of Olivet Heights, Oyo, Chief Adebayo Akintola, fondly called Ogongo Baba Eiye (1946-51 set), and the first actuarial scientist in Nigeria with a PhD, Dr Benjamin Abimbola Adigun, (1951-56 set), who, during his tour of duty, executed several projects including the Olivet Clinic, and the rebuilding of the over one-kilometre-long perimeter school fence.
Whenever and wherever the name of the school is mentioned, the products always lift their heads high, because of the soaring profile of the old students who made Olivet Heights tower above many schools.
They flaunt the impressive records of having the school’s products in top positions in the upper echelons of society.
According to the National President of the Association, Mr Olusegun Ahmadu, the school has produced the Chairman of First Bank, two state Chairmen of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a permanent secretary in the Presidency, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Comptroller-General of Immigration among others.
“What do you do when your cup runneth over thus?” Ahmadu asked the audience at the gathering. He added: “You bring out the cymbals, and blow the trumpets, in a carnival of joy! That is the Olivet spirit; celebrating our achievers.”
The donation of a N30 million sport complex to the school by Dr Otudeko, and a school hall worth N30 million by Otunba Durosinmi-Etti, marked the high point of the event.
There were also reminiscences and stories of past glories of the school being told by those in attendance.
Ahmadu said: “Olivet Heights, you will remember, was one of the highflying, high-performing secondary schools in the golden age of school sports promotion and achievement in the 1960s and 70s. Laurels were won in soccer and athletics, and notable strides made in hockey and tennis. It was the era of the Grier and Thermo gene Cups, of the Academicals. Such was the importance attached to sports that, at one point, that great Principal, the immortal John Preston and Bamidele Lafinhan, brought in the legendary centre-forward, Tesilim Balogun (Thunder Balogun) to coach the school football team.
“Sadly, as time passed, school sports fell into decline, and our sports grounds suffered neglect, becoming overgrown with elephant grass and pockmarked with anthills. Against this background, you will now, no doubt, appreciate the power of Dr Otudeko’s initiative, which may prove to be the first step towards the restoration of sports to its rightful place in the overall curriculum,” he said.
Speeches were made by the Chairman at the occasion, the foremost Professor of Medicine in Nigeria, Prof Oladipo Akinkugbe (CON), and the Guest Speaker, foremost Geologist in Nigeria, and Chairman National Awards Committee, Nigeria Merit Awards (NMA), Prof. Oluwafeyisola Adegoke, who dwelt on the topic: ‘How the old students association can sustain support to the Alma Mater.’
Dr Otudeko also spoke about government returning schools to their former owners in order to regain lost glory.
He said that old students were more than ready to take over the running of the schools with the former owners.
While supporting Dr Otudeko’s position, Ahmadu observed that there are many misfits in the society today because they did not have the opportunity of living with their peers.
“We want the schools back,” he said, adding, “There must be a provision of hostel facilities. Young people need some form of regimentation. There were better standards in those days.”
Personalities at the event included Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN); Gboyega Ajibola, an engineer, and the Resident Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo, Mr Akin Orebiyi; his counterpart in Lagos, Dr Kunle Ogunmola, and Mr Akin Oladeji.