Lagos State Government has applauded the old students of Lagos Baptist Secondary School, Orile Agege, for their immense contributions to their alma mater.
The Tutor General of District 1, Prince Bashir Adebowale gave the applause on behalf of the state government on Thursday at the inauguration of the multi-million Naira interlocking of the assembly ground of the school carried out by the old students in the Diaspora.
The interlocked assembly ground has flowers planted in some strategic positions, adding to its beauty and creating a conducive environment.
The newly inaugurated facility is one of many interventions carried out by the old students, especially, the 1982 and 1984 sets.
The Tutor General said the government was well aware of all the contributions of the old students to Lagos Baptist Secondary School, Orile Agege.
“No alumni have done half of what you have done,” he declared.
“We thank you sincerely for all you have done. We are not taking them for granted,” he added.
The Tutor General emphasized the importance of the interventions of the old students, asserting that government alone could not shoulder the responsibilities of providing all the required facilities for good education.
He therefore urged the old students to do more to support the government.
He advised that beyond providing infrastructure, the old students should mentor the students as that would also contribute to their success and growth in life.
Prince Bashir Adebowale spoke about the efforts of the Lagos State government towards improving the educational standard in Lagos through the allocation of the largest budget to education, to the envy of other ministries.
He said the decision of the government to give education the largest budget was in pursuit of the determination to make Lagos a centre of excellence in the education sector, not only in Nigeria, but Africa.
He said the efforts were already yielding fruits as students and teachers of Lagos schools, particularly in District 1, to which Lagos Baptist Secondary School belongs, have won several laurels even beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“Schools in District 1 have been doing well, year in year out,” the Tutor General declared.
Earlier in his welcome address at the occasion, the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of FrontPage (online newspaper), Mr. Sakibu Olokojobi, who spoke for members of the old students in the Diaspora, called on the state government to do more for the school.
He reasoned that with the number of interventions carried out by the old students, the least the government could do to encourage them was to do more for Lagos Baptist Secondary School, Orile Agege, in terms of structure and recreational facilities.
His words: “We are aware of the support this school has enjoyed from the government. But have we got enough of government’s support?! No! The government can do more through its Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools, SCRPS, headed by Mr. Hakeem Smith…
“We like to use this opportunity to tell the governor and Mr. Smith that they should please shift attention to Lagos Baptist Secondary School, Orile Agege. We have enough ground for a good and standard football field, race tracks, lawn tennis court and more.”
While speaking at the occasion, the principal of the school, Mrs Shofela Florence Modupe, expressed sincere gratitude to the old students.
He said they had been of immense support to the success of the school in different ways, praying God Almighty to increase His blessings in the lives.
She was also full of praises for the Tutor General saying that his support had been invaluable and source of the feats achieved by the school.
The Tutor General declared the assembly ground open for use.
A high point of the occasion was the school’s award to Engr. Rafiu Atolagbe, who single-handedly settled the accumulated electricity bill of the school and provided mult-million naira solar-powered electricity for the school.
The 1982 and 1984 sets of the old students were also presented with awards in appreciation of their kind gesture through laudable projects.
Mrs. Kemi Okoh (1982 set) was particularly commended at the occasion by all for her leading role in the actualisation of the project of interlocking the assembly ground which was inaugurated.
It would be recalled that in 2022, the 1982 set on the occasion of their 40 years anniversary of leaving school renovated some classrooms and provided some education facilities in the Lagos Baptist Senior College arm of the school.
Similarly, the 1984 set of the old students, some weeks ago carried out the renovation of the school’s laboratory and provided necessary equipment.
The compere at the occasion was Apostle Bolaji Akinyemi while the 1984 set of the old students was led by its current president, Mr. Benjamin Akindele.
The occasion was well attended by members of the 1982 and 1984 sets.
