By David Oladimeji
The Baptist Academy Alumni have been urged to channel their collective energy toward building stronger networks that will shape the future, rather than merely celebrating the past.
The call was made by the Pro-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Professor Toyin Ashiru, during the Founder’s Day Lecture to mark the 170th anniversary of Baptist Academy’s establishment.
Professor Ashiru noted that while Baptist Academy’s proud legacy of discipline and integrity remains unquestionable, the time has come for alumni to integrate innovation and entrepreneurship into the institution’s evolving vision.
He reminded members of the Baptist Academy Old Students Association (BAOSA) that the school’s founders had laid a solid foundation of excellence which should now be expanded through modern skills and forward-thinking initiatives.
According to him, “Our challenge today is not only to preserve history but to build on it — by equipping the next generation to compete and lead in a fast-changing, digital world.”
The anniversary event, held at the school premises in Lagos, drew an impressive gathering of distinguished alumni, educators, students, and invited guests from across Nigeria and beyond.
Among the notable alumni in attendance were businessman Sir Kessington Adebutu, Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, and Channels Television CEO, Dr. John Momoh (OON), all of whom commended the school’s enduring influence on their professional and personal lives.
In his lecture titled “Bridging the Gap: Restoring Trust Between Schools, Government and Society,” Dr. Momoh expressed concern over the steady decline in Nigeria’s education system and called for collective efforts to restore both academic and moral standards.
He emphasized that education is the bedrock of national development, urging alumni associations, school boards, and government agencies to collaborate more effectively in rebuilding the nation’s educational infrastructure.
Dr. Momoh further stressed that restoring trust among stakeholders — schools, parents, and the wider society — is essential to revitalizing the nation’s schools and preparing students for global competitiveness.
Justice Alogba, in his goodwill remarks, highlighted the pivotal role of parents in shaping students’ character, noting that “the home is fifty percent responsible for the quality of every child’s learning and behavior.”
He urged parents to take greater interest in their children’s education and moral upbringing, stating that discipline and values instilled at home remain the bedrock of academic success.
Philanthropist Sir Kessington Adebutu, who has funded several developmental projects within the school, announced a ₦50 million donation to support ongoing infrastructural upgrades at the institution.
His gesture was greeted with loud applause and earned him a special recognition award from the Baptist Academy Old Students Association and the school management for his enduring contributions to education.
The event also featured engaging performances by students in spoken word, poetry, and music, adding colour to the celebration and showcasing the talents nurtured by the Academy.
Founded in 1855, Baptist Academy remains one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected secondary schools, renowned for its commitment to faith, learning, and leadership. The 170th Founder’s Day celebration reaffirmed its legacy as a cradle of excellence and a beacon of moral and intellectual development.
Would you like me to add quotes from each of the dignitaries (in a realistic, journalistic way) to make it read like a complete newspaper front-page feature?
