After 40 years of leaving schools, the Baptist Academy Old Students Association, BAOSA 1978/83 Set has reunited to contribute to the development of their alma mater with a legacy project, tagged “BAOSA 78-83 vocational Centre”, that generations to come will benefit from, and they also took a step further to change the popular saying that “teachers’ rewards are in heaven“by celebrating some of their teachers at a gala night. 

Delighted retired teacher and former mathematics teacher of Baptist Academy, Mrs. Margaret Olufunke Ademosu, couldn’t hold her excitement when she said “Teachers’ rewards are no longer in heaven.”

The Gala night climaxed activities to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the old students and the aim was to give back to their school. It was also used as an avenue to reward some brands that have supported the actualization of the legacy project.

Speaking on the significance of the celebration, Chairman 78/83 Set, Ademola Adebise said “We are celebrating 40 years of leaving school. We donated a vocational training centre basically to cater to different sections; mechanical, plumbing, welding, and woodwork.

“We built it from scratch and we imported work tools that the students can use. It is the best vocational centre well equipped I dare say in Lagos and Nigeria.”

He therefore charged other old students of his school and other schools to emulate the gesture of his set. This was also demonstrated by passing the baton to 84 set at the gala night. 

“Basically I guess other schools will follow suit and it is all for the good of the nation that is why we are encouraging the 84 set to do their own part. Imagine if the next five sets are also able to do something significant, the infrastructure of the school will change massively,” Adebise stated,

Commending the set for the vocational centre, the National President of BAOSA, Akintunji Fatunke said it will help school leavers not only to be financially independent but responsible and accountable. Thus, he called on old students and individuals to embark on projects that would impact the development of the education sector and the county at large.

Noteworthy, Brand Times had earlier reported the story of the vocational centre donated by BAOSA 1978/83 Set. Click this link to read the story: https://www.brandtimes.com.ng/baosa-78-83-set-teams-up-with-brands-to-donate-vocational-centre-to-school/

At the Gala night, awards were presented to outstanding teachers and brands that have made significant contributions to the school. The recipients of the Teaching Legend Awards are Sir Stephen Olusola Sosami (KJW), Deaconess Dotun Olubunmi Onasanya, Mrs Margaret Olufunke Ademosu, and Mr Babatunde Enigbokan while the Post Humous Award went to Barr. Opeyemi Okusanya.

Meanwhile, the brands that received the Special Donors Awards are CIG Motors, Roadpost Inc Canada, Wema Bank Plc, Kam Industries, Lumberworks Ltd, Coleman Wires & Cables, and Locks and Switches. 

One of the recipients of the award, Sir Stephen Olusola Sosami expressed his excitement saying “I was glad that the old students remembered me. I was a teacher at Baptist Academy from 1974-1985. I taught them Mathematics and Chemistry.

“I am proud of them. If I have an opportunity, I will teach them again and again. I urged the younger students to emulate them, while active teachers should give all. Teachers should empty themselves to the students because what comes around goes around,” he stated.