Oluchi Chibuzor
Baptist Academy Old Students Association (BAOSA) has honoured 13 old boys for displaying uncommon services, professional accomplishments and integrity in rendition of public services to their alma mater.
Speaking at the 2023 reunion dinner tagged ‘An Evening of Distinction and Congeniality’, in Lagos, President of the association, Akintunji Fatunke, urged recipients to continue to pursue excellence.
According to him, “the government cannot do it alone, yes parents and guardians must contribute their own quota and the students themselves must be ready to sweat with good character.”
He emphasised on the criteria for honouring the awardees, saying, ”we ask for excellence from class sets who have served without blemish and have left legacies on the sound of time.
“Secondly, we look for those who have been able to help pull others out of misery and seemingly failures in areas of sports and academics. They are first among equals and they have not disappointed us.”
Notable among the old students who received ambassadorial awards were: Anthony Ofulue (1970 to 1974); Oladapo Sowunmi (1971 to 1975); Sylvester Adebomi ( 1973 to 1977); Jerry IIimezekhe (1976 to 1981); Mr. Olugbenga Onasanya (1978 to 1983) and Mr. Omotola Ifafore (1979 to 1984)
Other old boys who also received awards for professional excellence includes, Prof. Wole Alakija (1954 to 1958); Mr. Jones Usen (HSC 73); Mr. Wale Soyingbe (1971 to 1975); Mr. Babatunde Adelaja (1976 to 1981); Mr. Adewale Ajayi (1979 to 1987) and Dr. Olugbenga Duroshola (1982 to 1987); while integrity in public service went to Mr. Olusola Shodipo (1975 to 1980).
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Mr. Jones Usen called for a shift away from a certificate-centric approach, urging a focus on substance over credentials.
He emphasised the need for a return to values in education, where parents guide their children against shortcuts in academic pursuits.
