“Olivet Baptist High School Has Produced Many Outstanding Old Students of Which We Are Proud”

“Olivet Baptist High School Has Produced Many Outstanding Old Students of Which We Are Proud”

Dr. Wale Okediran, NOSA President

Dr. Wale Okediran is currently the President of Olivet Baptist High School National Old Students Association (NOSA). A Medical Doctor and published author of 14 novels and 8 biographical works, many of which have won local and international Literary prizes, he is a former National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (2005-2008) and the current Secretary General, Pan African Writers Association based in Accra, Ghana.

Dr. Okediran, who is also a former Member of the Nigerian Parliament (2003-2007), attended the Olivet Baptist High School Oyo from 1967 to 1971.

In furtherance of the preparation for the 80th Anniversary of Olivet, the NOSA President fielded media questions reflecting on his Olivet experience and the Association’s plans for strengthening the bond between the School and its alumni.

What is the significance of the Olivet Baptist High School's 80th Anniversary to your association?

The 80th Anniversary is a chance for thanksgiving and stock-taking of God’s favor, endurance and strength that has brought our alma mater so far since January 29 1945 when Olivet was established by the American International Mission Board.  Having gone so far in life, we wish to use the moment of the occasion to reflect on our rich history and heritage, our dynamic present and to look to the future on how we can continue to contribute towards the growth and success of the school. Over the years, Olivet has made tremendous efforts to develop a balanced curriculum which nurtures the whole-person and the development of each student.  The school’s outstanding achievements in academics, sports, and leadership training fully demonstrate the success of this holistic approach to education.  It is on record that through 80- years of development, great changes have taken place in our dear old school. Apart from setting the pace in many aspects of educational pursuit in Nigeria, our school has produced many outstanding old students of whom we are proud. The number of students has largely increased while cadres of a younger generation of well -trained teachers have been replacing the older ones, and taking leadership positions in the school. This has injected new vitality in and given new challenges, as well, to the growth of the school. Also noteworthy is the fact that Olivet has evolved from being solely dependent on government support to one that has enjoyed a tremendous support from its old students.

What has been your abiding memory of the School regarding your time as student and over the years in your various engagements with the School?

To the glory of God, I still recall with nostalgia my stay in Olivet from 1967 to 1971. In addition to the quality education which was impacted on me by our wonderful teachers, Olivet also laid the foundation for my well balanced life because I had the opportunity to participate in sports as a member of the school’s athletics team as well as a Hockey player. In addition, I was a member of the Olivet Press Club, an important grounding for my current status as a well- known author who later became the National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors despite my medical background. It is also important to locate my incursion into a national leadership position as a member of the National Assembly, Abuja to my Leadership training as a member of the Boys Scout at Olivet.

After leaving Olivet in 1971, I have been involved in many activities involving the school including my 1971 year set as well as NOSA. My deep involvements in these areas led me to become at a stage, the Chairman of my year set before becoming the Vice President 1 of NOSA and subsequently, the current National President.   

Would you say the School deserves to be labelled as an iconic institution? If yes, what are the peculiar features, characteristics or achievements that qualify it for such classification?

Yes. Olivet is certainly an iconic institution. Our strength lies in our incredible ability to harness a multi-dimensional educational asset from our well- trained and dedicated teachers as well as our hardworking and well- disciplined students. These ingredients have been used to build a virile and highly productive citadel of knowledge. From its humble beginnings 80 years ago in 1945 in the premises of the old Baptist mission house at Oke-Isokun, Oyo, to our current site firmly established on Olivet Heights, the profile of Olivet has witnessed a remarkable rise to an epitome of excellence in academics, sports and humanity. For the last 80 years, our Alma Mata has become the reference point for inter-school academic competitions/projects as well as sports in Nigeria. In addition, over the years, Olivet has made tremendous efforts to develop a balanced curriculum which nurtures the whole-person and the development of each student.  The school’s outstanding achievements in academics, sports, and leadership training fully demonstrate the success of this holistic approach to education. 

What roles has the Old Students Association been playing towards sustaining the School's legacy?

The Olivet National Old Students Association (NOSA) has over the years evolved into an innovative, effective, and impactful organization through its excellent network of well- educated and well-connected old students. This impactful result was achieved through a spirit of collaboration among the old students. In carrying out its activities, the NOSA built a balanced collaboration across generations. While the young people are needed to build the future, the importance of the senior old students was not forgotten because of their important role in sharing experience. It was in appreciation of what they gained from Olivet and their readiness to give back that made many old students to join the NOSA. Apart from our willingness to give back to the school, we were also concerned by the deterioration in the standard of education in the country as well as the rickety facilities in our schools. We are all proud of the fact that our National Old Students Association which was founded in 1976 has become a vibrant rallying point for all Olivetians. It is a thing of pride and gratitude to God that our association has succeeded to a great extent in driving educational and infrastructural projects to ensure that current students have the best possible standard of learning. To the glory of God, our members have implemented projects like upgrading of learning facilities and sports complex, construction of school hall, donation of computers and other learning aids, and construction of the school gate, among others. And we are gearing up to continue this tradition of being at the forefront of regenerating the School amenities to sustain the glory of our dear School into the future.

What is your special message to Olivetians on this occasion of the School’s 80th Anniversary?

Olivetians should be proud of their alma mater. Despite the occasional hiccups suffered by the school over the years, our alma mater has continued to go from strength to strength.  However, it is important to remind us all that despite our laudable achievements, we still have a lot of work to do. This has become very necessary when we consider the occasional gaps in the expected support from government as well as the poor state of the national economy.  In view of this, I call on all my fellow Olivetians not to relent on their efforts in supporting their alma mater so that we can have a modern and well-grounded educational institution which we can be very proud of.