Baptist Academy Old Students Unveil Order of Excellence Plaques, Honour 170 Distinguished Alumni

The Baptist Academy Old Students Association (BAOSA) has unveiled its Order of Excellence Plaques, establishing a permanent tribute to 170 distinguished alumni in what stands as one of the association's most significant legacy projects to date.

According to BAOSA, the initiative was designed to create a lasting monument honouring alumni whose lives and accomplishments reflect academic excellence, professional distinction, leadership, character and selfless service — qualities the association says have defined generations of Baptist Academy graduates.

Delivering his presidential reflections at the unveiling, titled "Honouring Excellence, Preserving Legacy," BAOSA Global President Olumide Ajomale described the occasion as far more than ceremonial, framing it instead as a reaffirmation of the enduring values that have shaped Baptist Academy over the decades. He said the permanent monument would ensure that the honourees' legacies continue to inspire generations yet unborn, describing the recipients of the Order of Excellence as representing the finest traditions of their alma mater.

Ajomale noted that the honourees' accomplishments across scholarship, professional distinction, national and global service, philanthropy and devoted service to BAOSA illustrate what becomes possible when discipline meets purpose, and when lessons learned within the school's walls are carried into the wider world with genuine conviction.

Underscoring the importance of preserving institutional memory, he observed succinctly that "institutions endure when they remember," noting that the monument stands as a lasting expression of BAOSA's gratitude toward the men and women whose achievements have elevated Baptist Academy's reputation over the years. He added that the honour would serve a dual purpose: recognising those whose names are inscribed upon it, while also standing as a continuing challenge to future generations to pursue distinction, serve humanity, and uphold the ideals on which the school was founded.

Providing background on the project's conception, Lanre Idowu, Chairman of the BAOSA 170th Anniversary Honours Rolls Committee, explained that the Order of Excellence Plaques were conceived specifically as part of BAOSA's plans to commemorate Baptist Academy's 170th anniversary, functioning as a permanent "tablet of remembrance" intended to preserve the legacies of distinguished alumni while inspiring those who come after them.

Idowu said the 170 honourees emerged from a rigorous selection process that weighed academic excellence, professional accomplishment, service to BAOSA, community impact, leadership, character, and national or international distinction, ultimately producing a consensus list reflecting the collective judgment of the association's leadership. He expressed hope that the initiative would deepen alumni pride, strengthen the bond between graduates and their alma mater, and encourage other alumni associations across Nigeria to undertake similar heritage preservation projects of their own.

Also speaking at the event, Olaolu Akinkugbe, a member of the Board of Trustees, commended the National Executive Council for its commitment to preserving and strengthening Baptist Academy's heritage. While acknowledging the improvements already made to the school in recent years, he urged alumni to remain steadfast in supporting their alma mater, and challenged current students to uphold the values, traditions and enduring legacy of Baptist Academy through lives defined by character and excellence.

The Order of Excellence was formally instituted as part of BAOSA's broader commemoration of Baptist Academy's 170th anniversary, recognising alumni whose contributions in scholarship, professional practice, public service, business, academia, philanthropy, leadership, community development and dedicated service to BAOSA have distinguished both themselves and their alma mater.

In his vote of thanks, Tunji Akingbade, Communication Officer of BAOSA, expressed hope that the monument would continue to inspire generations of Baptist Academy students and alumni to pursue lives defined not only by achievement, but also by service, character and lasting impact on their communities.

The high point of the event was the formal presentation of Order of Excellence Plaques to a number of honourees, including Olaolu Akinkugbe, Trustee and Past President; Lanre Idowu, Trustee, Past President and Chairman of the BAOSA 170th Anniversary Honours Rolls Committee; Akintunji Fatunke, Immediate Past President; and Oyeyemi Onifade, Chairman of both the BAOSA 170th Anniversary Planning Committee and the BAOSA Ongoing Projects Committee, among numerous other distinguished alumni recognised on the evening.