NOTABLE FACTS ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Today the Boys Brigade Organization celebrates it's 137th Year anniversary and also 113th Year Anniversary in Nigeria.

History
The Boys’ Brigade was founded in Glasgow on Thursday 4th October, 1883

It was founded by Sir Williams Alexander Smith at North Woodside Mission Hall, Scotland.

At 29 years he founded the organization.

The Boys’ Brigade is a voluntary Church organization and the first uniformed organization for Boys and girls.

About the organization
The founder was a business man, part time soldier and loyal churchman.

Two of his brothers, James .R. Hill and John .R. Hill who were also Sunday school teachers and volunteers in the Army fostered the conception of the organization.

The BB Anthem was composed by Williams .H. Parker (1884-1929).

The foursquare programmes of the BB are; Spiritual, Social, Educational and Physical.

The Badge consists of an anchor, two BB alphabets, a red cross, a rope/chain and the motto.

The Motto
The motto of the Boys’ Brigade as emplaced by the founder is ‘’Sure and Stedfast’ from Heb 6:19

Its object is the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-Respect, and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness.

The most important person in the B.B has always been the Boy

The six (6) BB Methods are; Parade/drill, Bible Study, Uniforms, Group Work, Church Connection and Games and sport.

Early Enrolment
Fifty-nine Boys between the age of 12 and 16 volunteered to join right away but only 28 Boys and 3 officers were enrolled as members of the 1st Glasgow Company attached to Northwood Side Hall Free Church.

The Boys’ Brigade has been established in over 60 countries including Nigeria with over 750,000 members.

The first promotion examination was written in 1883 among Boys, after careful consideration of drill, written work, conduct and character.

Two sergeants, two corporals and two lance corporals were appointed and the company was divided into six (6) squads.

The Boys Brigade Nigeria @ 112years
The Boys’ Brigade Nigeria (BBN) began in 1908 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church Ebutero, Lagos
The BBN was introduced by Dr. Mac Milliam

The Southern Nigeria began the adoption of the BB, and the Eastern Nigeria in 1936 at Christ Anglican Church Onitsha and finally in the Northern Nigeria at Kogoro by the Chief of Kagoro land in the same year 1936.

Almost all the states in Nigeria have an established Boys’ Brigade Company.

The Headquarters of the BB is called ‘’BRIGADE HOUSE’ located in FCT Abuja.

The BBN has its leader as the National Secretary

Uniforms
Across the world the uniforms of the organization can be identified by its Cap, Belt and Haversack.

The BBN is identified with dark navy blue sleeveless shirts and white trousers for the Non Commissioned Officers and White sleeveless shirt and dark navy blue trouser with the items above.

National Structure in the BBN
The smallest unit in the B.B is the Company which is part of a church or a Christian organization.

The Companies are under the Battalion/Group Councils, State Councils, Zonal Councils and the National Councils.

Sections/Members In The BBN
Anchor Boys from 3-6years, Junior Section from 7-11years, Company Section from 12-14years, Senior Section from 15-18 years, officers 19 years above, Patrons and Chaplains.

The Boys’ Brigade organization has produced notable leaders in the society, well trained individuals, good citizens and God fearing persons.

Happy Anniversary and Long Live The Boys’ Brigade

A disciplined organization.