Mr. Niyi Ibiyemi, President of Baptist High School (BHS), Iree Alumni Association, in this interview by SAM NWAOKO, tells of his experience as the global leader of the association and his days as a student there.
There are varying reasons why people to take up the challenge of leading their alumni association. What was your own reason for stepping up to lead BHS, Iree Alumni Association?
We noticed a leadership gap in the association and it was at very low ebb around 2020 and 2021. We saw that a lot was going wrong with the alumni association and there was the need to have a leadership that has vision, focus and one that is committed. That was why I vied for the position of the President of the Alumni Association. More so, I have passion for service for humanity.
What prompted your pursuit of the fencing of Baptist High School, Iree?
Over the years, we observed the encroachment on the school land and a lot had been done in the land. The expanse of the school land was eaten into so much that the school had even turned to a thoroughfare. A lot of school properties are stolen and there was a time bandits attacked the school. So, there was the need to provide security for the school and save it from the encroachment. Those were the main reasons we saw the fencing of the school as a top priority.
Was that fencing the first project the BHS, Iree Alumni Association under your leadership embarked upon?
We came on board in February 2022 and our cardinal programme was the perimeter fencing of the school. The fence goes round the school is about 1,100 meters. It’s long but to the glory of God, we completed the project within 10 months.
That must have taken a large sum. How much did the project cost your association and how did you raise the money?
The commitment of the leadership of the association was of great assistance. I must confess that I enjoyed the goodwill of my former colleagues at work, my friends and some families. Immediately after I was elected president, I started soliciting for support and in about one month, even before my formal inauguration as the president, I was able to raise almost N16 million on my own. I also praise the commitment of the alumni members, they have been very supportive and their encouragement was huge in ensuring the quick execution of the project. In all we spent about N30million to complete the project. I noticed that when you give good leadership, the people are bound to follow you. I committed a lot of personal funds to the project, but I must mention families like the Kajogbola Family and Omolabi Family who also provided a lot of support.
What was the reaction of the school management, students and other stakeholders to the project?
Honestly, it’s indescribable. The Principal, the Alumni, the students and the people of the town were surprised and some asked ‘can this be happening?’ Nobody could believe that such a feat could be achieved in less than 10 months.
It was even more heartwarming that we pulled through in that time because of a lot of problems. The encroachers rose to counter us, some members of the community also gave a lot of problems. However, the Aree-in-Council played a fatherly role, gave us unflinching support and ensured that everything went smoothly. The Traditional Council of the town provided quality leadership. Land matters are sometimes intractable but the Aree-in-Council did a lot to assist us. Honestly I give kudos to them.
Did the kind of reactions you got from the school take you back to your time in the school?
Sure. Looking back to what happened vis-a-vis what happened during our time, honestly it’s incredible because no one could dream that such a thing can happen, that the school can be enveloped and provided with that kind of protection. Most of the people I call ‘Our Super Seniors’ – people that graduated in 1965, 1969 and so on- were very pleased. It was indeed heartwarming to see their reaction and hear them say they could not believe a thing like that could happen during their lifetime. I have a wonderful executive committee, my team is very cooperative, supportive, committed and they are focused. The Board of Trustees of the school deserves kudos too. We thank God and it is to the glory of God that we did all we could do. My set, the 1975 Set, the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and every other set. It’s difficult listing each of the set and their contributions but we appreciate all for their support and commitment.
Meeting some old boys must have ignited memories of your days in school. What are some of your most memorable experiences while at BHS, Iree?
During that time, there was nothing like the fence we now have and I was a day student. I remember anytime we came late to school, instead of taking the main entrance, we would go through the back – we called it jungle- and watch from there until the assembly was over. After that must have been concluded, and the students were settled in class, we would now sneak into school. There were a lot of pranks we played. During our time, they served mid-day meals at the dining hall. The meal was for everybody, whether you were a boarder or day student. There were occasions when we would collect more than one ration by trick. In order not to be caught with two undeserved plates, we would pack the two meals in one plate and move. However, the seniors who were the supervisors or monitors would catch the trick and report – and some of them would be surprised how we had managed to load the two meals in one plate. Now it could be hilarious.
When I got to the school during the week and saw some of the students and how tiny many of them looked – as young boys and girls – I asked some of my colleagues: ‘Were we this tiny when we were in school?’ I couldn’t help but ask that question. It was so much emotions and memories when we were in the school earlier in the week. Thanks be to God for where we are today.
I need to also mention that the principal of the school, who happens to be a former student, Deaconess Yetunde Ogunleye (she graduated in 1983), is very committed to the development and wellbeing of the school. It’s her alma mater and she has shown commitment and has expressed deep appreciation for the numerous development projects that have taken place in the school.
Apart from this priority project, are there others that have been done or that you plan to do for the school?
Apart from this fence that the alumni did on their own, there are other projects by the various sets that are worth mentioning. For instance the 1972 set built a block of classrooms. The 1980 set did a geographical garden that must have also cost a fortune. The 1981 set built the school gate; the 1982 set installed solar power. There are so many others. A lot of development is ongoing and we are impressed. Some of these projects would be inaugurated during our coming convention.
Considering all that you the alumni are doing as regards the dilapidation of the school which, ordinarily, should have been the responsibility of government, how does this make you feel?
Before the alumni stepped in, there was total neglect of the school. There was a time the school was overgrown with weeds. It was so much that it became an eyesore. The school was a sorry sight about 10 years ago. But since the alumni stepped in, they have practically provided everything for the school. When you look back at that time and now and see what we are seeing now, I must be very frank with you, if we are not the first in Osun State, we must be the second when rated. I’ve not seen an alumni association that has performed as much as Baptist High School, Iree. From the testimonies of people, BHS, Iree has been unparalleled and we thank the old students for their commitment. We are one of the best if not the very best. Our Principal also testifies that when she attends their meetings, her colleagues acknowledge what BHS, Iree Alumi Association is doing. We are grateful to God.
What are your words for the government considering how much you’re doing and your words for the students and other stakeholders?
To the students, I will remind them that we started like them. We were there as students, we didn’t know what would happen in the future. They should, therefore, as much as possible be focused on their life and their education. They should know that nowadays, it is not only what you learn in school, but they should also get a vocation and learn a skill so as to support their education. For the government, we must charge them to pay much more attention to the education sector. Education has been neglected for a very long time. There are no physical and other forms of development. There is nothing to write home about until people like us rose to the occasion. We will invite the governor to come and see what we have done and we hope that would serve as a challenge to the government. We believe that if an alumni association can do this, then there’s a lot more the government cannot do.
When was the school founded?
The school was founded in 1959 and the first principal was Mr Isaac Adedoyin. During the 60th anniversary of the school, we held a big occasion which I think prompted many of the old students to decide to do what they can to support the school.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
