Baptist Academy alumni invest in sports to promote students’ mental health

Determined to promote the mental well-being of students in their alma mater, the Baptist Academy Old Students Association (BAOSA), is perfecting plans to rehabilitate the sporting facilities in the school.

The facilities include a main sports arena, lawn tennis court, sports shop, separate changing rooms for males and females, a restroom facility, a gym and an office for the facility manager.
Speaking at the 2023 reunion dinner tagged: ‘An Evening of Distinction and Congeniality,’ held in Lagos recently, Akintunji Fatunke, president of BAOSA, said the Sports Development Project is a strategic plan aimed at promoting physical education and sports at Baptist Academy, Lagos, to foster the physical and mental development of students.
According to Fatunke, sports in school have paved the way for many to achieve greatness, and many still ride on school sports to achieve greatness in societies where it is considered an essential part of human capacity development.

He said that sports provide a positive outlet for youths to properly channel their exuberant energy.

“The BAOSA Sports Development Project initiative involves developing sports infrastructure within the school premises, implementing a maintenance plan, and engaging the necessary human capacity to effectively utilise the facilities,” Fatunke said.

He called on parents and guardians to contribute their quota to the development of the future generation of leaders.

Also, the Association recognised 13 old boys’ students at the school who had displayed uncommon services, professional accomplishments and integrity in their various fields of endeavour.

According to Fatunke, the recognition is for those old boys whose dedication over the years has exceeded industry expectations, showcasing through their services to humanity a significant impact of what the school stands for.Baptist Academy alumni

Fatunke said the criteria for honouring the awardees is based on recommendations from class sets that identify excellence and those who have served without blemish and have left positive legacies.

“The award is significant because it shows the impactful strides and commitment the alumni have shown through their positive contributions across professional, academic and public services.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Jones Usen, a veteran broadcaster, advocated for a move away from a certificate-centric society to focus more on substance over credentials.

Usen called for a swift return to an era where education had value, where parents guide their children against shortcuts in academic pursuits.

Some of the awardees include ambassadorial recognition to Anthony Ofulue (1970 to 1974); Oladapo Sowunmi (1971 to 1975); Sylvester Adebomi (1973 to 1977); Jerry IIimezekhe (1976 to 1981); Olugbenga Onasanya (1978 to 1983) and Omotola Ifafore (1979 to 1984).

Wole Alakija (1954 to 1958); Jones Usen (HSC 73); Wale Soyingbe (1971 to 1975); Babatunde Adelaja (1976 to 1981); Adewale Ajayi (1979 to 1987) and Olugbenga Duroshola (1982 to 1987) received awards for professional excellence while Olusola Shodipo (1975 to 1980) received integrity in public service award.