Olivet Heights, Oyo, Nigeria

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. [ [http://www.geocities.com/edeninitiative/tribute.html Olivet Newsletter No. 3 - January 2003] Retrieved 2007-10-13]

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.

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-?

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.

Notable alumni

*Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State [ [http://www.ekitinigeria.net/News/News1E.htm Governor donates building to Olivet Heights, Oyo State - Ekiti State - News] Retrieved 2007-10-13]
*Rasheed Ladoja, Governor of Oyo State [ [http://www.oyostategov.com/BIOGRAPHY.html Profile at Oyo State] Retrieved 2007-10-13] [cite web
last =Omonijo
first =Bolade
title =New governors: The road to Government House
publisher =Vanguard
date =2003-05-28
url =http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2003/may/29/0139.html
accessdate = 2007-10-13 ]
*Tokunbo H. Ogunbanjo, author [ [http://writersebook.com/authors/tokunbo/ Profile on Christian Writers E-Book Net] Retrieved 2007-10-13]
*Dr. Adegbola Olarinde, psychologist [ [http://yorubaalliance.org/Newsletter/newsletter502.htm Yoruba Alliance] Retrieved 2007-10-13]
*Benjamin Titilayo Oluokun, expert in personnel management in Nigeria [cite web
last =Olayinka
first =Bola
title =Benjamin Titilayo Oluokun (1940 - 2002)
publisher =The Guardian
date =2002-10-03
url =http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/ngguardian/2002/oct/03/article32.html
accessdate = 2007-10-13 ]

*Isaac Adebiyi Adisa (Late), First Old Student to be a Teacher (1955), Vice Principal (1978 -1979) and Principal (1982 - 1989) of the great School [ [http://www.geocities.com/edeninitiative/tribute.html Tribute to the founding fathers ] ]

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).

Motto

"Cum Christo Progredere" (Forward with Christ)

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

References