Baptist Academy Celebrates 161st Founders Day

Stanley Momoh - Lagos
Photo: Stanley Momoh Visuals

Nigeria's foremost educational institution, Baptist Academy founded in 1855 today marked her 161st anniversary at the school premises at Shepherdhill Obanikoro, Lagos.

The program of event as announced by the National body of the Baptist Academy Old Students Association (BAOSA) started with a special church service at the Shepherdhill Baptist, Obanikoro which incorporated special recognition for the 1962 - 1966 and 1972 - 1976 sets marking 50 years and 40 years of graduation from the great academy.

The Principal And BAOSA Members After The Church Service

This year's celebration had some key projects commissioned in the school compound. These include the dedication of the ICT laboratory by the President of the Nigeria Baptist convention who also doubles as the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Dr. Supo Ayokunle. Also he commissioned the school canteen, a modern facility built near the old school kitchen.

Some Prefects Of Baptist AcademyOutside The Church

Arguably the high point of the day was the commissioning of the multimillion naira Sir Kessignton Adebutu Library by the Chairman of the board of trustees of BAOSA, Sir Kessington Adebutu popularly known as Baba Ijebu. The library according to chairman of the BAOSA Mr. Lanre Idowu gulped 50 million naira. Although Sir Adebutu disclosed his concern at the level of work on the library, which he felt should have been a done deal noting that the fund was disbursed about two years ago he beamed with smile all through the event. However, he looked like one who was Happy and proud that he could add this to his collection of philanthropic deeds. The NBC President, Reverend Dr. Supo Ayokunle likened the gesture of the library to a sanctuary when he read from the bible just before the commissioning. He further said that riches is only useful when people feel the direct impact of the riches. Hence, it was useless to be rich and selfish.

The Principal of the school, Reverend Mrs. B.A. Ladoba hailed the support of the various sets of old students of the school for their immense contributions to the school.

The PTA of the school is presently constructing a new basket ball court in the school near the quad angle where the tree that housed the old bell was.