Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo,

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

(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 Oyo State is an inland States of Nigeria, state in southwestern Nigeria. Its capital is Ibadan, the List of Nigerian cities by population, third most populous city in the country and formerly the second most populous city in Africa. Oyo State is b ...

(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.

History

The profile of Olivet witnessed a remarkable rise in the 1960s 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 Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until December 1991 fo ...

equipped with hostel facilities, staff quarters, excellent laboratories (sciences, home economics/food & nutrition, fine arts, music), workshops (metal work, woodwork, technical drawing - mechanical/building), an 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 1990s.

Organization of School Houses

Olivet Heights was 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 Intramural sports are recreational sports organized within a particular institution, usually an educational institution, or a set geographic region. The term, which is chiefly North American, derives from the Latin words ''intra muros'' meaning " ...

) 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

Since its founding, Olivet Heights has been led by several educators, all of whom are listed below: *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, 2002-2008 *Mrs. A. Ayoade, 2008 - 2016 *Chief (Mrs.) A.I. Ogunmola, 2016 - 2017 *Mrs. O.A. Awolola, 2017 - 2019 *Mrs O. Dosunmu, 2019-Date

Old Students Association

Olivet Heights has a vibran
National Old Students Association
(NOSA). The Olivet NOSA wa
founded in 1976
to serve as a reconnection point for former students of Olivet Baptist High School. The Association drives educational and infrastructural projects to ensure that current students have the best possible standard of learning. They have implemente
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.

Motto

''Cum Christo Progredere'' (Forward with Christ)

References