A SHORT HISTORY OF EKITI BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL (EBHS), IGEDE – EKITI.
The idea of a post-primary institution for Igede-Ekiti had long been conceived by the early literate leaders in Igede such as the Chief (Rev.) Nathaniel Faboya Fatunla, Chief (Mrs) J. A. Fatunla, the Chiefs S.O Ogundana and J. O. Osuntoyinbo, Mr. J. O
Famuyiwa and Chief E. O. D. Adedipe, to mention a few.
But the idea could not be translated into reality until the early fifties. The earliest taste of a post-primary institution was the granting of Igede, by the Nigerian Baptist Convention, a Preliminary Teachers’ Course (popularly known as ‘PTC’) in the year 1953, under Mr. J. S. Adelowo, as the headmaster. The PTC was a one-year course for preparing the would-be probationary teachers or those aspiring to gain admission into the Teacher Training Colleges after the completion of three years as probationary teachers.
The institution was phased out in December 1954. However, 1955 saw the beginning of the Baptist Secondary Modern School with Mr. G. A Akintola as the first headmaster. Beginning with 1953, the Ekiti/Akoko Baptist Association was looking for something higher than a mere P.T.C. or a Secondary Modern School; so the Association under the supervision of the missionary adviser, the Rev. J. S. McGee, put pressure to bear on the Nigerian Baptist Convention to establish a Secondary Grammer School in the association’s territory. Other bodies that joined the crusade were: the Igede Progressive Union (Later called Igede Progressive Association) Igede Literate Union (now defunct) and Ekiti Baptist College Students’ Union.
The Nigerian Baptist convention came out with the idea of granting Igede a Grade Three Teachers College. But the good people of the Ekiti/Akoko Baptist Association, especially the Igede members insisted on a Secondary Grammar School because, as the saying was at that time, “all Igede elites are teachers or pastors, we want lawyers, doctors, engineers, architects etc.” When it appeared that the Nigerian Baptist Convention was dragging its foot on this matter, then certain dynamic people such as Chief (Mrs) J. A. Fatunla, Messrs. S. A. Fajemilehin, E.O.D. Adedipe, S. T. Omole, G. A. Akintola, J. O. Falua, S. F. Osajuyigbe, Chief E. A. Adekunle and some others, put their heads together and sought help from elsewhere.
Thereafter, the people met Chief J. O. Osuntokun who was at that time, a Minister in the then Action Group Government of Western Region of Nigeria. Chief D. A. Durotoye, the then Area Supervisor of Baptist Schools, was also brought in to help. The matter was thus brought to the notice of Chief Okusaga, the then Minister of Education. In short, the matter received the blessing of the Minister of Education and a secondary grammar school was granted to Ekiti/Akoko Baptist Association. The news of the approval of a Secondary Grammar School for the Association took the Nigerian Baptist Education Secretary, Rev. L. R. Brother by surprise; but he could not undo what had already been done.
Mr. Richard Cowley, a young American Graduate was appointed by the Nigerian Baptist Convention to start the school. Mr. Cowley met a young energetic teacher in the person of Mr. G. A. Akintola, and immediately requested the area supervisor of Baptist schools to post Mr. Akintola on secondment to the new grammar school in January 1956.
However, Mr. Cowley left Igede ever before the school was opened, for reasons known to him and the authorities of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. Upon the exit of Mr. Cowley, it became the responsibility of the Rev. J. S. McGee and Mr. G. A. Akintola to
start the school and kept it going. Thus, on 6 th February, 1956, the Ekiti Baptist Boys’ High School (later called Ekiti Baptist High School) was officially born with thirty-three boys, as pioneering students, and the Rev. J. S. McGee, the Missionary Adviser as the Acting Principal while Mr. G. A. Akintola, Headmaster of the Baptist Secondary Modern school was invited to face squarely the duties of the Secondary Grammar School, while Deacon D. O. Fadelu was to take charge of the Secondary Modern School.
THE EFFECT OF THE SCHOOL ON THE COMMUNITY
The school provided avenue for students from various parts of the Federation (mostly the Baptists) to attain their secondary Education and thus prepared them for further studies. Strong educational offerings, both academic and moral, enabled the school to produce leaders in various fields of endeavor. Among them are Bank Managers, Accountants, Auditors, Business tycoons, Professional teachers – Lecturers, Principals, Matrons of schools, Doctors and Nurses, Military Personnel (Honor to late Major Carl. Ademola Adeleye, who died during the Nigerian Civil War), Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, Lawyers, Magistrates, Managers of Companies, Insurance Magnates, Agricultural officers, Police Officers, Reverend/Pastors, News Editors, etc.
The following table shows the graduates from the school:
The initial problem of the early students was lack of qualified teachers, especially in sciences. But with self-denial and the cooperation of the following members of staff: Rev. J. S. McGee, Mr. G. A. Akintola, Mr. J. B. Hill, Mr. E. I. Oyewole, Dr. O. Soleye, Deacon J. Olu. Faromika, Mr. E. O. Ogunwuyi, Mr. E. O. Olaniyi, Rev. A. M. A. Olaleye, Mr. Olarinde Ogundare, Mr. S. O. Sobowale, Mr. O. Alabi, E. A. Adekanmbi, Mr. E. O. Olofin, Mr. A. Adeyemi, Mr. Akande, Mr. J. O. Fasanya, Mr. E. A. Adelakun, Dr. O. Ajolore, Mr. A. O. Lawore and a host of others, the School was able to produce few graduates with Arts biased, and a few struggling ones with Biology, Mathematics, and Geography as the only science subjects. But today, the curriculum of the school has expanded to cover Arts, all Sciences and some vocational education.
The school brought the Ekiti and Ondo States Baptist Associations and Igede Community into the Nigerian Geographical map. It also led to the physical expansion of the town as well as the increase in its population. It provided employment opportunities to the citizens and contractors, who erect the beautiful structures on the site.
On Sundays, Students of the School participate in religious services, some attend the mosque on Fridays. In other words, their interaction with the people in the town added color to the moral life of the community. The strategic location of the school, in the heart of the town, provided avenues for meetings, development fund launching programs, social functions like wedding receptions, especially in a situation where there was no befitting town hall in the community. Overall, it has been a good story.
Adapted from:
“Ekiti Baptist High School is Twenty-Five (1956-1981)” by Late J. O. Adetunberu – (26th January 1981).