Olivet Heights, Oyo, Nigeria

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Olivet Baptist High School, Olivet Heights, Oyo, Nigeria (formerly Oyo Baptist Boys' High School) was founded by American Southern Baptist Mission on the 29th of January 1945 on its original site in the premises of the old Baptist mission house at Oke-Isokun, Oyo, Oyo State (now occupied by Baptist College of Theology, Oyo) where Rev. Pinnock, the first Baptist missionary to the ancient empire of Oyo established a mission post.[1]


Contents

[edit] History

The profile of Olivet witnessed a remarkable rise in the 60s when the school was noted for all-round excellence in academics and sports, the school had facilities for O'level and A'level (HSC) candidates at that time. The A'level program was abolished in 1989. The school was one of the few schools in Nigeria outside Lagos that were equipped with hostel facilities, staff quarters, excellent laboratories (sciences, home economics/food & nutrition, fine arts, music), workshops (metal work, wood work, technical drawing - mechanical/building), agricultural center with poultry/fish pond and sports facilities. As a result Olivet was a domineering force in the Western part of Nigeria in inter-school academic competitions/projects as well as sports: soccer, basketball, hockey, handball and athletics. Also available in the school were facilities for Lawn Tennis, Cricket, Squash, Badminton, Volleyball, Chess and Table Tennis. Most of the facilities witnessed a steady decay from the 90s.

[edit] Principals

  • Mrs. J. C. Powell, 1946
  • Deacon T. A. Okanla, Headmaster 1945-1952
  • Rev. Carl F. Whirley, 1948
  • Rev. W. Joel Fergeson, 1948-1951
  • Rev. J. B. Durham, Acting Principal 1951
  • Rev. M. L. Garrett, Acting Principal 1952-1953
  • Mr. E. A. Iyanda, Acting Principal 1955-1957
  • Rev. Homer A. Brown, 1957-1962
  • Rev. J. B. P. Lafinhan, 1962-1972
  • Chief R. F. Fasoranti, 1973-1975
  • Chief S. O. Omitade, 1975-1977
  • Chief J. I. Popoola, 1977-1982
  • Mr. I. A. Adisa, 1982-1989
  • Mr. A. A. Adeniran, 1990-1994
  • Mr. A. A. Adeniji, 1994-2000
  • Mr. S. O. Okegbenle, 2000-2002
  • Mrs. F. M. Taiwo, 2002-?

[edit] Alumni

The school has a versatile alumni association. The association has been particularly helpful in providing facilities for the current students of the school. A massive perimeter fence and a well-equipped health center were built in 1985 to mark the school's 40th anniversary, while a memorable 60th anniversary in 2005 was marked with an overhaul of the physical structures of the school.

[edit] Notable alumni

  • Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State[2]
  • Rasheed Ladoja, Governor of Oyo State[3][4]
  • Tokunbo H. Ogunbanjo, author[5]
  • Dr. Adegbola Olarinde, psychologist[6]
  • Benjamin Titilayo Oluokun, expert in personnel management in Nigeria[7]
  • [[Isaac Adebiyi Adisa (Late)]], First Old Student to be a Teacher (1955), Vice Principal (1978 -1979) and Principal (1982 - 1989) of the great School[8]

[edit] Houses

The school houses are Locket, Odetayo, Pinnock, Atanda, Homer Brown and JBP Lafinhan ( The last two were recently added to the age long Four Houses).

[edit] Motto

Cum Christo Progredere (Forward with Christ)

[edit] Anthem

1.

 The foresight of God's own People
 A new school created
 Where the truth of God 
 And all academic knowledge
 Shall future noble men
 And heroes of our land make
 As the motto re-echoes
 Cum Christo Progredere

2.

 By the highway stands the school
 Clearly visible to passers by
 Breaking, Moulding, Preparing, for the future
 Olivet Heights my school, oh my school

3.

 My school Olivet, (Olivet)
 My school Olivet, (Olivet)
 My school Olivet
 May the Lord bless thee
 Olivet Heights (Olivet Heights)
 Olivet Heights (Olivet Heights)
 O L I V E T !!!
 Music: By Revd. E. A. Akinleye
 Words: By Revd. E. A. Akinleye, Mr. Gbadebo Omoni,and Dr. Ayo Ojo

[edit] References