Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Pres­ident of the African Develop­ment Bank (ADB) are among the numerous dignitaries ex­pected to grace the centenary anniversary of the famous Baptist Boys’ High School (BBHS), Abeokuta, which will climax on 23 January 2023, the school’s Founder’s Day.

This was disclosed by the Old Boys’ Association of the school in the programme of activities lined up for the week-long event, which kicks off on 16 January with a city-wide road walk in Abeokuta. According to the programme, a special anniversary lecture, to be delivered by Vice Presi­dent Osinbajo, will hold on 17 January.

The second day will also take in the commissioning of various projects initiated by the school’s old boys’ association. Among these are Sir Kessing­ton Adebutu Alumni Building, built by Sir Kessington Adebu­tu; the Centennial Park built by the old boys’ association, Alhaji Isiaka Car Park Arena, the N43m main access road constructed by the 1984 set, ded­ication of the 500-capacity new sports complex and the launch of the anniversary book, 100 Years of Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta.

Also scheduled are the din­ner and Distinguished Centen­nial Old Boys and Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony. The third day is dedicated to the Legacy Lecture, titled “BBHS Value” to be delivered by former pres­ident Obasanjo, a tree planting event prize giving for the debate conducted earlier in the week and hymn sessions.

Next up will be a discus­sion of the role of education in 21st Century Nigeria, with Dr Adesina being the keynote speaker. This is to be followed by career talks delivered by representatives of profession­al bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Nigeri­an Medical Association.

On 20 January, the event will feature discussions on leader­ship and personal development as well as Jumat Service at Cen­tral Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta. The celebration train will, on 21 January, move to the annual Distinguished Old Boy of the Year and Merit Awards Lun­cheon at the school premises, with the next day dedicated to worship at First Baptist Church, Ijaiye, Abeokuta. The event will wind up on 23 Janu­ary with a Founder’s Day De­votion and a novelty match be­tween current students of the school and an old boys’ team to be captained by former presi­dent Obasanjo.

Founded on 23 January 1923 by Baptist missionaries, the school has produced many eminent Nigerians in various walks of life. Among these are Chief Obasanjo, Justice Bola Ajibola, retired World Court judge; Chief Funso Kupolokun, former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora­tion (NNPC), Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State; Oba (Dr) Ade­dokun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland; Dr Onal­apo Soleye, former Federal Commissioner of Finance; Professor Olukayode Oyesi­ku, National President, BBHS Old Boys’ Association; and Mr. Tunde Oluwasola, Editorial and Publishing Committee of the Old Boys’ Association.

It also produced the late Basorun MKO Abiola, Profes­sor Adeoye Lambo, renowned psychiatrist and Deputy Di­rector-General of the World Health Organisation; his brother and alternative medi­cine icon, Chief JO Lambo; and Chief SMA Afolabi, Minister of Internal Affairs under Chief Obasanjo’s presidency.