|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The ruination of most of Nigeria’s citadels of knowledge that produced most of the leading lights in the country has attracted the attention of elder statesmen. Two accomplished Nigerians, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas and Emi Membere Otaji, have thus poured lamentations over the speedy ruination of one particular school, Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, in Rivers, regarded as, once, a landmark school and centre of knowledge.
The two bagged awards as old boys of Baptist High School as ‘Distinguished Old Student’. In his remark, chairman of the occasion and President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Emi Membere-Otaji, a medical doctor-turned shipping magnet, lamented that the history and structure of the school were under serious threat.
The PHCCIMA president mentioned the factors of ruination of the once respected school as ensuing decadence, neglect and systematic encroachment upon its land leading to the near-total destruction of the entire school.
According to him, all hands must be on deck to change the fortunes and reposition the school to its precipice. “As old students we are critical stakeholders, hence we must work closely to preserve the rich history and excellence Baptist High School has been known for,” he said.
He however, said he would continue to have fond memories of the school that was the best citadel of learning in the heydays.
The colourful award ceremony, which was part of events to mark 70th anniversary celebration of the school, witnessed the gathering of the crème de la crème of society, high net worth and prominent individuals from diverse backgrounds and section of the society who had at one time or the other passed through the renowned institution.
“We need to galvanise effort through rallying the influence and positions of old students in various strata of society to get the school back to where it should be. He called for synergy between the school physical neighbours, Rivers State government, and the old students to bring about the needed change,” he further said.
In his remarks, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, four-time minister, and recipient of the Distinguished Baptist Old Students Association award, noted that his life was planted and germinated in Baptist High School, adding that the success or height he has attained today is attributed to the moral and academic upbringing inculcated in him by BHS.
For the school he said: “Yes we need to do more, so that others will also be impacted and the only way is for us all to work assiduously and contribute our resources to bring back the glory days. What is the way forward, I join myself in the plan to donate cash, I will also in conjunction with others see how we can start the process of rebuilding the school library” he was quoted as saying.”
Monima E. Karibi Whyte, the outgoing president of the Old Boys’ Association, said the infrastructural decay was worrisome, but added that it was left to the association to change the face of the institution.
Karibi George, the incoming president, remarked that the task ahead was quite enormous. He called for the support of all and sundry. “As we celebrate our 70 years of existence it is hoped that the ‘old boys’ would rise to preserve their alma mater and restore its lost glory”, he was quoted as saying,” George said.
Replete with an enviable and rich history of excellence, Baptist High School Port Harcourt has churned out many prominent Nigerians in all spheres of life – politics, academics, military, business, among others.
BHS was one of the best public schools in Rivers State in its heydays, with an orientation of hard work, and good moral standard infused in the consciousness of the students. BHS was established on 19th of January 1948 by missionaries from the Baptist Missionary Church of America.
Ignatius Chukwu
