Olivet Baptist High School

Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, Nigeria (formerly Oyo Baptist Boys' High School), located on a hillcrest named Olivet Heights, was founded by American Southern Baptist Mission on 29 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]

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 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 Heights 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.

Organization of School Houses

Olivet Heights is a predominantly residential high school. The hostel structure was organized into four "houses" named after two indigenous and two American Baptist pastors - Atanda, Odetayo, Locket, and Pinnock. In addition to the residential arrangement for boarding students, non-residential students were also assigned to the 4 Houses for annual inter-house (intramural) quiz, debates & sports competitions which are used to unearth promising talents for regional and national competitions. In recent years, two new houses were added - Homer Brown and JBP Lafinhan - in honor of the last American (missionary) Principal and the first Nigerian Principal.

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.

Alumni websites & related:

• Official website: http://www.olivetheightsnosa.com/
• North America: http://www.obhsoyo-na.org
• http://tundecanhelp.com/olivetheightsoyoreunion2013/
• http://www.geocities.ws/edeninitiative/home.html (Last updated 2004)

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

See also

Federal Government College Ogbomoso

References