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olusegun8 (m)
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It's 84 Years of BBHS!
The Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta is not the first School that was established in Nigeria. But, the number of the products of the School who had, or are occupying leadership positions in all walks of life in the country is enough to confer the title of "Best Secondary School in Nigeria" on the School. The founding fathers of the school established on January 23, 1923 were not only clairvoyant but prescient as they picked the clause "nulli Secondus" which means "Second to none" as the school's motto while the second stanza of the anthem of the school which states inter alia ", it is true they say we make leaders here , " is indeed very prophetic.
It is very gratifying that the school is located in Ogun, which is widely regarded as the Gateway State. BBHS is a great testament to the pioneering prowess of Ogun State in the education sector. For the avoidance of doubt, I am not an old boy of the school, but I must own up to being a great admirer of the giant strides recorded by the school's old boys in all field of human endeavours.
At 81, the most distinguished old boy produced by the Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta is Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo who is truly second to none in the country having served as military Head of State between 1976 and 1979, and was elected democratic President in 1999. Chief Obasanjo also broke all records when he successfully organised a civilian to civilian transition programme during which the people of Nigeria invested hope on him by re-electing him as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria last year. Furthermore,, Chief Obasanjo, an archetypal Owu indigene, is also the Balogun of Owu as well as the "Ebora Owu "
After President Olusegun Obasanjo comes Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the Executive Governor of Ogun State and the very first Executive Governor produced by BBHS. It is indeed remarkable that under six months in office, Governor Daniel's morning had vividly shown the day, as he has been variously described as "a model Governor", "a man of his words", "the Awolowo of our era" "the Lee Kuan Yun of Nigeria" who symbolizes the changing face of Nigerian politics. Governor Gbenga Daniel is being celebrated for his dynamism, sincerity of purpose, hard work, service, abiding love for humanity and for achieving so much within a short period. Today, Otunba Gbenga Daniel is a beacon of hope as far as governance in Nigeria is concerned and the greatest advertisement for the BBHS. He conquered the organised private sector before throwing his hat into the political ring where he is currently making waves by providing citizens of Ogun state and indeed Nigerians with sterling, responsive and responsible leadership.
Another great icon of the BBHS was Bashorun Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola who won the June 12, 1993 presidential elections widely adjudged to be the freest and fairest election ever conducted in Nigeria but which was annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida. Chief Abiola, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland (Generallisimo) was a momental success in life. He was so successful that his initials M.K.O. was taken as an acronym for money, kudi (money in Hausa) Owo (Yoruba word for money). Chief Abiola was also well known for his legendary kindness and philanthropy while to date, no Nigerian has received more traditional chieftaincy titles than him. Late Chief M.K. O. Abiola was the "Pillar of Sports in Africa" and it is a very befitting memorial that his alma mater, BBHS, Abeokuta recently won the Shell Cup being the second time that a secondary school from Ogun State will win the coveted trophy. Perhaps the greatest architect of the BBHS victory in Shell Cup is the School's Principal and eminent Old Boy, Chief Dola Jibowu who also won the cup as Principal of Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High School, Abeokuta. Even the late Sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo attended the BBHS although he did not finish from the school.
Other distinguished old boys of the school include the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Onaolapo Soleye, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Chief Bamidele Dada, the former Group Managing Director of NNPC, Engr. Funso Kupolokun, eminent jurist Prince Bola Ajibola, former deputy Governor of Central Bank, Chief Wole Oduyemi and the Olubara of Ibara, Oba Jacob Omolade.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Tony Ojeshina, the Director General Budget in Ogun State, Mr. Kehinde Sogunle, the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Sports and Employment Generation Mr. Bukola Olopade as well as Chief Alani Bankole and his son, Honorable speaker of the house of representative. Hon. Dimeji Bankole are all products of the school.
The list of eminent media personalities that passed out from the school is intimidating to say the least. They include Veteran Journalist Chief Tunji Oseni, Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Niran Malaolu, Radio Nigeria's Director of Prograrnmes, Mr. Tolu Fatoyinbo and veteran broadcaster, Mr. Yinka Craig. Others are Messrs. Ayinde Soaga of NTA, Ambrose Somide of AIT, Busayo Olaifa forrnerly of OGBC, Dauda Abimbola of Radio Nigeria, Ibadan and Late Adesina Durosomo of OGTV.
At eighty-four, the Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta is an oak tree that has produced numerous fruits that are making waves all over the world. As football champion of all secondary schools in Nigeria, there is no doubt that BBHS is truly second to no secondary school in the country. All hail BBHS, doyen of all secondary schools in Nigeria!
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