INTRODUCTION:
First, I thank our ever-friendly grand alumnus, Chie Isaac Koleosho, Mrs. Christiana Oyeniran, the Principal (School 1), and the staff of our great school, who generously granted me access to our school archive and cooperated in overall way to make this POW segment possible.
UP SCHOOL:
We recently celebrated the 67th Anniversary of the founding of our great Alma Mater, Baptist High School, Saki. Today, we are among the best of the bests in God’s own planet earth – professionals, business people, royalties, clergies, law luminaries, career civil servants, diplomats, intellectuals, teachers, administrators, politicians, and the list goes on and on, ad infinitum!
THE HEROES BEFORE US:
Could you believe that some people paved the way for us to tread on? They were the ones who cleared the paths and tilled the ground that became our campus. They planted the grass that became our fields. They carried buckets on their bare heads in order to complete the earliest buildings that became our classrooms and eventually, our school. Of course, they started at my own school – Ajegunle Baptist Day School, Saki, before they transitioned to the Aha (now Oje Owode) Road. The rest, as they say, is history. These gentlemen must be celebrated. They deserve to be honored. They are the red tags on which the price of our own freedom is indelibly written. They are the ones who were there when debates were being made by the founding Fathers, when among mottos proposed for the school was “Junstitia Omibus” (Justice to all) but which was narrowly beaten by the finally accepted one, Gloria Semper Deo!
GREAT EDUCATORS THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE:
They all started with only two teachers – Mr. Emmanuel Aremu Iyanda from Ogbomoso, who was the Principal. The second teacher – Mr. Amos Fehintola Kilanko – from Aha, now Oje Owode who was both the House Master and the Games Master.
The Principal taught English language, History and Latin, while Mr Kilanko taught Geography, Algebra, Geometry, Literature, Yoruba and Health Science.
THE ROLL CALL OF HONOR:
Thirty-three (33) students were admitted in 1958. Of the 33, only 23 reached Form 4, and just 12 were promoted to Form 5. Out of the 12, two (Fasasi Bello and Yisa Raji) were droppe, while just 10 were promoted to Form Six, the final year. The group had the record-breaking 100% in the WAEC exam of 1963.
THE HALL OF FAME:
The followings are the last 10 standing with their names and addresses as they indicated them in the school’s record book:
BAPTIST BOYS HIGH SCHOOL, ṢAKI: 1958 – 1963 (FIRST SET)
- Adegunwa, Victor Akinade – P. O. Box 40, Shaki, Western Region – RIP
- Adeyi, Stephen Gbadebo – 18, Oshodi Court, Lagos – Alive and well.
- Alabi, Oyinlade Yisa (dropped out) – P. O. Box 7, Shaki – RIP
- Bukola, Moses Oyebamiji – Gara’s Compound, Iragberi – RIP
- Elegbede, Adejare Ajibike – P. O. Box 29, Shaki – RIP
- Eweọya, Philip Olutọbi – 94, Padre St. Ibadan, originally from Iresi – RIP
- Koleosho I. Aderibigbe, P.O. Box 42, Shaki – Alive and well
- Okeesan, J. Okegbemi – 1st Baptist Church, Sepeteri- RIP
- Oyelowo, Theophilus Ajayi – 20, Hawley St., Lagos – in the US – Alive and well – currently in the United States
- Olaaje, Ajebiyi Alimi – P.O. Box 3, Saki RIP
- Ọlaayan, Caleb Ayandare – Baptist Day School, Agọ-Arẹ – Alive and well.
MEN OF MARVELS:
Imagine how difficult acquring education could be for these gentlemen, most of whom were well above high school ages before being admitted to the school. These were individuals with no courses in hardcore sciences, but see what they all turned out to be in life. Let’s take a look:
- Victor Adegunwa – Saki-B.Sc. Geography -He became the very first Old Student to be appointed Principal in the school.
- Phillip Eweoya -from Iresi did not go further in tertiary education but worked at the Government Press, Agodi, Ibadan. He was the first in the set to pass away.
- Stephen Adeyi – became a celebrated Accountant – He is still alive.
- Theophilus Oyelowo- Ogbomosho – NCE, B.Ed and is still alive
- Caleb Olaayan- Ago-Are- Mechanical Engineer Engineer; first person to obtain a Division One grade in the school’s history – He is still alive
- Moses Bukola – from Iragberi -was a Banker – He has passed away
- Elegbede Adejare- Saki – He was Local Government Treasurer – He has passed away
- Okegbemi Okeesan- from Sepeteri – Obtained a Bachelor of Library Studies from the University of Ibadan. – He passed away a few years ago
- Alimi Olaaje – from Saki – was an Airline Officer – He passed away
- Isaac Koleosho – Saki- B.Sc Econs – He retired from the Federal Ministry of Labour – He is alive and well and is the immediate past President of our prestigious Natinal Old Students Association.
THE GREAT SURVIVORS:
in all, only 4 are still alive. They are, as already indicated:
- Stephen Adeyi in Abeokuta
- Caleb Olaayan in Lagos
- Theophilus Oyelowo in USA
- Isaac Koleosho in Saki
In joking with me, Chief Koleosho referred to himself as . . . “Alive, but waiting in the airport to board the plane to go and be with our mates who have passed on.”
And I said, he is going to be waiting a long time, because the airplane that will usher him to join his departed classmates has not yet been manufactured. Chief, please keep waiting; we need your wisdom and experience for many years to come!
HYMN OF PRAISE:
With a motto as powerful as Gloria Semper Deo, there is no befitting hymn than to raise the song of Fanny Jane Crosby (1820-1915), “To God be the Glory:
- To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.
- Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives. - Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.
And so, we’ve chosen today as our Person’s of the Week, our trailblazers, torchbearers, the harbingers of our fortunes, and the heroes of our great citadel of learning, the alumni of alumni, the very first set of our storied school, represented by Chief Isaac Aderibigbe Koleosho.
As members of the alumni foundation of your Alma Mater, we praise you; we respect you, we honor you and we say God bless you Sirs!
My Egbon, Olori Ebi and my brother indeed I salute you sir. God Almighty that remembered you to be nominated as ” OUR PERSON OF THE WEEK ” will continue to uphold, strengthen, protect and preserve you as you are ageing gratefully in good health and a sound mind. May the joy of the LORD continue to be your strength in JESUS name Amen.
From your dear Aburo,
Olusola Charlotte Ogunsola.
BHS CLASS ’72.
My name is Akano, Jacob Kehinde.
He was my Oga at the National Provident Fund Board, Ilorin. He is very disciplined, accommodating and takes life very simple.
My name is Joseph Olaniyi Eniola,
a church member( Ajegunle Baptist Church, Saki) who also doubled as the representative of the ’83 set felicitate with our Person of the Week, we pray that God will grant him long life with sound health in Jesus name
Broda Isaac as I knew him and cherished calling him has been a constant cool, honourable and loving Egbon. First, I congratulate you for the honour bestowed you as our POW of this platform and equally thank the Lord for giving you the blessings of a good life today.
Broda Isaac has been this unassuming being since my knowing him back in 1953 when we were staying directly opposite his family house in Ajegunle, he’s been our very big brother.
As stated by our astute Coordinator, Prof Dejo, Broda that Airplane to take you home is yet to be designed not to talk of being manufactured, so be assured that you are still going to be around us for long. Please continue to be who you’ve always been Sir.
Congratulations 👍👏🎉 once more my dear Big Brother, wishing you more years in good health, peace, joy and happiness.
Late Mr. Okegbemi Okeesan obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife) and after teaching in BHS for sometime went ahead for a Postgraduate degree in Library Studies at the University of Ibadan.
Engr. Prof. Lawrence Abiodun Ogunjimi
1969 Set.
Congratulations to Baba Isaac Aderibigbe Koleosho as the current POW, and congratulations to the pioneer set of our great Alma Mater!
Your legacy of excellence, 62 years on, continues to inspire us all.
Though some have departed this world, your collective achievements are a shining light for generations to come.
We celebrate you our Asiwaju Isaac Aderibigbe Koleosho.
We celebrate you our Asiwaju Stephen Gbadebo Adeyi.
We celebrate you our Asiwaju Theophilus Ajayi Oyelowo.
We celebrate you our Asiwaju Caleb Ayandare Olaayan.
We remember those who have journeyed home.
Many their souls rest in peace.
Congratulations sirs!
Ademola Oluwole Popoola – 1974 set – From Ago-Are.
Congratulations,,,Baba Koleoso,,,, wish you long life and prosperity in good health by God Grace,,,
Alhaji Amzat Alimi A.
From Saki Tescom zone,,
Baba Olóyè, e ku oríire oo.
Kìí se òrò enu, e ti ko ipa pàtàkì ninu ìdàgbásókè ile èkó wa BHS, Ìdí àràbà.
Mo lû yím lógo enu pé, e seun.
A mo rírì yin gan an ni o.
Ojó yin a kalé oo.
Ire oo
Àkànní Joseph.
1974 set.
What a memorable presentation by Prof! True, they were self made men who veered from their popular humanity courses then to various fields of human endeavours. These crop of elders usually derive joy in lifting up those behind them through wise counsel.
They remain elders we’re eternally proud of. Discipline was their hallmark, making misbehaviour of riots etc unheard of at Idiaraba, when many of their peers were priding in the misnorm.
Snr Okeesan and Chief Isaac Koleoso were Headboys at different times, because as first set, they were annually choosing Prefects.
For the Alumni Association, Dn Okeesan was the pioneer President, followed by Elder Olaayan as the second and Chief Isaac Koleoso (our Immediate Past President) being the third. They have been good leaders indeed.
We therefore doff our hats for our pathfinders, the 1958/63 set. Your legacy is what we’re celebrating, “nitori esin iwaju ni t’eyin nwo sare.”
Congratulations and thank you all. Gbogbo wa ndupe lowo yin o.
DN SOLA TOGUNDE, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, IDI ARABA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.
Congratulations to you sir, for this honor as the person of the week. May the the Lord renew your strength and you will continue to wax stronger to the glory of God. More grace and all of God’s blessings unto you sir.
Mrs. Oyeniran Christianah Fadeke
Principal BHS 1
I salute you and all members of the first set both alive or have passed to glory.
For those alive,I pray the Father of glory to strengthen them and the grace to live their ordained years on this planet earth.
For those gone the great beyond,glory be to God for the Grace enjoyed while alive.
Pst Tayo Shittu
Class of 1971
Fomer Finance Attache,
Embassy of Nigeria,
Malabo,Equatorial Guinea.
Congratulations to our pathfinders. Your exemplary performance socially and accademically have been our standard. To those still alive, wish you fulfilment and joy and in good health as you age. May God repose the souls of the rested.
Olurotimi Agboola, 1970 set.
Congratulations to ALL OUR POWS ( those alive and others who have gone to the great beyond). For those alive, more years in good health and sound mind in Jesus’ mighty name, amen. For those gone, may their gentle souls rest in perfect peace. Gloria Semper Deo
Dr. Diekola Olayinka ABIOLA
(70/74 set).
What a LIVING MEMORY is this WRITE-UP ? It made me to remember the Biblical Verse in the Book of HEBREW: Hebrew 13:14 that says ” For here have we NO continuing city but we seek ONE to come” I pray for God’s Grace to sustain us ALL in Christ Jesus till the end.We shall get to that CITY where we partcompany NO MORE.
I do greet and felicitate with our ALUMNI FATHER Chief Isaac Aderibigbe KOLEOSHO and I say ” CONGRATULATIONS Sir ” May the Lord God satisfy you with Good Health, Peace of Mind and LONGER LIFE in Jesus Name. Psalm 91:16 Baba is having a lot of story to tell us about BHS,IDI-ARABA SHAKI.You will live longer to tell us and to direct us.
I thank God for this POST and the POSTER , Almighty God will increase you in Knowledge and Wisdom.
GLORIA SEMPER DEO ! !! !!!!
( Dr. Afolabi A.O.A . 1981 Set)