BIFOBA (HEADQUARTERS) NIGERIA, in an exciting, well attended and fun-filled Homecoming/Thanksgiving Dinner on Saturday, 27th April 2013, raised an approximate sum of N35.1 Million (Thirty-five Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira Approx) towards the Multi Purpose Hall Project planned for our Alma Mater, while also conferring BIFOBA’s Highest Honours on 4 Distinguished Old Boys.
More details of the Event and Photographs will be posted on the Website soon.
WATCH-OUT!!!
Signed
MR. PAUL ADAMS
PUBLICITY SECRETARY
BIFOBA (NATIONAL)
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My seven-year period as the general secretary (NA chapter) had been a rewarding, enjoyable, and challenging experience.
I found all my academic background put to good use and the freedom to innovate (which you great freemen across the globe encouraged) a delightful situation.
Even though I spent a considerable portion of my time writing correspondences, summoning meetings, attending, recording and keeping minutes of all such meetings, I nevertheless involved in a wide variety of communication tasks. These tasks included welcoming all new alumni on the website, announcing and broadcasting all of BIFOBA events (national, chapters, and graduation sets), creating and writing news stories of interest to members, editing and promoting BIFOBA website (headlines, texts, artworks, and layout); tracking site visitors and many more.
These written messages are the ones that reached the global audience with the greatest initial impact and long-term influence, resulting in good image of BFHS embedded in their minds.
Having said this, there is a beginning and an ending to everything. Last Saturday in Dallas, NA chapter has a new general secretary. The new secretary is an alumnus of a good character: a man of integrity; he is equal to the tasks.
Before I finally dropped-out of the picture from this very moment, I would like to thank you all great freemen across the globe for your supports, and the friendship showed to me: it went beyond anything I had expected.
Finally, I want to thank my good friends: Dr. Olumide Aderoba for his wonderful support of me, Dr. Chinedu Ndubuisi Okere and Ras. David Tunde Lowo for their remarkable contributions to the richness of our website.
Blessings!
Up School! Up BIFOBA!
Foluso Adeyemi ’75set
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Thomas Birch Freeman (December 6, 1809 – August 12, 1890) was a missionary of Anglo- African descent who established the Methodist Church on a firm footing in the Gold Coast and extended its work to Lagos and Badagry, in Nigeria.
He was born in 1809 in Twyford, near Winchester, Hampshire, England. His father was an African freeman called Thomas, and his mother was Amy Birch, an Englishwoman who had had three children by her first husband, John Birch. His father died when he was six and he lived with his mother in Twyford.
He was introduced to Methodism as a boy by a shoemaker on whom he and his playmates used to play tricks. Like his father, he first worked as a gardener, and was a keen student of Botany. He became Botanist and head Gardener to Sir Robert Harland at Orwell Park, near Ipswich in Suffolk. He had a good knowledge of Latin botanical names and read avidly.
Years later when he was in West Africa, he corresponded with Sir William Hooker (1785 – 1865), the first Director of Kew Gardens near London, the world’s leading botanical institution, on West African flowers and trees. Freeman also collected information on tropical fauna for Kew Gardens.
His enthusiasm for Methodism displeased his employer, Sir Robert Harland, who told him to choose between his job and the new religion. The Methodist Mission Society in England had just made an appeal for missionaries in Africa, and Thomas felt he had been called by God to go there. He left his job and after he had preached a good sermon at a Methodist conference in Leeds, England in October 1837, was appointed as minister, on a trial basis, at Cape Coast. He had been ordained in Islington Chapel, London on October 10, 1837. A few days later he married Elizabeth Boot, Sir Robert and Lady Harland’s housekeeper, and sailed with her for Cape Coast on November 5, arriving on January 3, 1838.
But Thomas fell ill and had to be nursed by his wife, who then died suddenly. Thomas recovered from his illness and from the blow of his wife’s death and started work. Freeman was the first Methodist Missionary to arrive at Badagry in Nigeria on September 24, 1842, accompanied by William de Graft and his wife. They were permitted to establish a mission there and had completed a mission house and a chapel there by the end of November and William de Graft was put in charge.
Freeman and de Grafts left for Abeokuta at the written invitation of the Alake (ruler), Shodeke. They were well received and preached in the palace courtyard. Freeman presented a Bible to the Alake.
Before retiring, Freeman supervised the building of several churches, held religious revival camp meetings and wrote a couple of books one of which is ‘Missionary Enterprise No Fiction’. Among other things he had to face opposition from a Muslim sect which came to the Fante area from Lagos, but neutralized its influence by opening a school in the area. He opened a new chapel at Mankesim, and baptized several converts with his son, Thomas Birch Freeman Jr. who had also been ordained a Methodist minister.
After being the principal preacher at the jubilee of the Gold Coast Methodist Mission, held in 1885, he retired, living in a small house near Accra until his 81 years. His final days were spent in the Methodist Mission House in Accra, when he died on August 12, 1890.
UK Chapter Takes off in a Grand Style in March 2012
The meeting started with the singing of the school’s hymn, and Mr. Adekunle Afuwape lead the opening Prayer.
It was agreed that based on seniority, Mr. Oduwole of the 1978 set should chair the meeting. The history of the school was the initial point of discussion, followed by members asking about their long, old, lost friends and trying to find out where they are and what they are doing. Members also conversed about issues surrounding the school: the current size of the school, the new gate, and BIFOBA Nigeria (headquarter) and North America chapter in general. During the discussion of BIFOBA, Nigeria, Minutes of their general meeting held in the school’s hall, when Mr. Theo Odunlami was in Lagos, was passed round for members to read.
The selection of interim executives was then conducted. It was agreed that Mr. Olayinka Oduwole would be the interim president, Mr. Emmanuel Warrie: interim general secretary, and Mr. Theo Odunlami: interim financial secretary.
Members also agreed that the next two meetings will be at the same venue and consented that each member should encourage and invite other old boys they know to come to the next meeting on Sunday, April 22nd 2012. Members were excited, and everyone promised to bring along a new member to the next meeting.
The National President Mr. Feyisola Oladejo Dinyo called in while the meeting was in progress. He expressed his views about the first inaugural meeting of the UK chapter. He was pleased that the chapter has taken off and spoke with each member. He thanked everyone present for taking the time to attend and pledged his support for the chapter.
The North America President Mr. Femi Morgan also called in to the meeting. Expressing his delight and heart-feel joy for the commencement of the UK chapter, he said a big “thank you” to members at the meeting and encouraged every one to work hard to make the chapter a vibrant one. Pledging his support for the chapter, Mr. Morgan promised to give the chapter access to the BIFOBA national website and also promised to assist and work with the start-up team.
When Mr. Adekunle Afuwape was leaving the meeting, he contributed £50 to the association. Mr. Afuwape’s donation prompted other members into action. Donations as follows: Mr. Theo Odunlami £40, Mr. Sola Joseph £20, Mr. Olayinka Oduwole £20, Mr. Emmanuel Warrie £10, Mr. Olugbenga Haastrup £20, Mr. Stephen Shotonwa £20, Mr. Femi Akinlotan £20, and Mr. Taiwo Enilolobo (Pledged) £50. It was a cheerful moment when each member gave without being asked to do so (This is a proof of our school’s motto: Trained for Duty and For Thee). The total contribution for the day was £200 plus £50 (Pledge).
Small refreshment was served. Members ate, drank, and merry together. The bill for all the merriment was settled by three members who felt it right to honour others at the first inaugural meeting.
The next meeting was fixed for the 22nd of April 2012 at 6pm. With the singing of the second stanza of the school’s hymn, the meeting ended at 8pm. And immediately followed by a short photographing session
UP UK Chapter! UP School! Up BIFOBA!
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Consistent with the Global President’s Year 2012 Report, with specific reference to the inauguration of the subject Committee, kindly be informed that the 11-man Constitution Review Committee (CRC), under the Chairmanship of Barr. Kingsley Essien (Vice President, School Affairs (BIFOBA National) will be formally inaugurated during BIFOBA (Headquarters) Nigeria’s General Meeting of Sunday, 10th March, 2013 commencing at 4.00 pm Nigerian time.
All BIFOBA members and particularly, the CRC members in Diaspora are advised to connect Lagos (the meeting) on Skype to join in and/or witness the Inauguration ceremony.
Listed below for Old Boys’ information and use are the contact details of members of the CRC.
Members are enjoined to actively participate in the Constitution review process to fashion out an acceptable yet enduring Constitution to guide BIFOBA affairs going forward by sending memoranda by e-mail, addressed to the CRC Chairman and copying all other CRC members.
For BIFOBA (Headquarters) Exco’s use, all such memos should also be copied to BIFOBA’s e-mail address viz: bifoba@gmail.com.
On Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20, 2014, (BIFOBA) North America chapter organized the seventh alumni reunion in Memphis, Tennessee. The event was held at Homewood Suite, Hilton Hotel in Memphis. Alumni, families and friends across North America gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the past, review the present, and look toward the successful future for the chapter and BIFOBA as a whole.
On Friday of the event, members started arriving at the venue as early as 8 am. By 2 pm, members already gathered in the hall of the venue, exchanging pleasantries, regaling one another with tales of their times at BFHS, and wearing T-shirt (dedicated in honor of the two departed illustrious members: Dr. Igbuan Oyakhire and Ras. David Tunde Lowo).
By 4 pm, it was a fun time: alumni, families, and friends gathered by the swimming pool of the hotel for a delicious cook out of “Suya” meat, roasted plantains and corns, mixed vegetable salads and fruits, along with red and white variety of great Italian wine. The cookout celebration continued until early Saturday morning.
On Saturday, breakfast was ready by 6 am and, by 8:30 am, morning session of the reunion kicked-off with a prayer. After prayer, Mr. Niyi Fagbamiye, North America President, reminded members of the theme of the 2014 reunion: “Living In America”. The “theme” denotes the daily essential of making a quality living pertaining to – Physical Health Check-up, Estate Planning, Family Togetherness and, much more, the NA president explained.
During the session, Dr. Olumide Aderoba talked extensively on the essentials of having regular medical check-up and the importance of doing annual (medical) physical, while Mr. Kayode Elutilo and Mr. Barry Adebowale (CPA) spoke at great length on the importance of having a good personal financial planning, a living will, and a power of attorney respectively.
By 11 am, the session ended and immediately followed by refreshments of a variety of sandwiches and snacks, with cool drinks (plus wine) to wash it down.
The annual general meeting of the reunion began at 2 pm, with a prayer from Pastor Samuel Ogunyooye. With many members across North America joining the meeting via satellite telephone-conference, members deliberated extensively on the accomplishments of the chapter, reviewed the present, and discussed about future programs and the overall successful future for the chapter and BIFOBA as a whole. Members discussed thoroughly on how the chapter could improve on its financial reporting.
At the end of the general meeting, alumni in Atlanta, led by Mr. Idowu Etefia, expressed their wish to host the next reunion again. Since there was no other city vying with them, all members voted for Atlanta, Georgia to host 2015 reunion.
One of the climaxes of the general meeting was when BIFOBA president Mr. Feyisola Dinyo called in from Nigeria. All members were thrilled to hear his voice and thanked him for his excellent leadership. The president apologized for his inability to attend this year NA reunion, and specially thanked the host of the reunion: Dr. Olumide Aderoba and Mr. Charles Adadevoh. BIFOBA president urged members to spare a thought for our dear departed Colleagues (Mr. Lowo and Dr. Oyakhire). The president gave members a brief update on the events at the national level and wished everybody a very successful reunion. (Expect news on national events as reported by BIFOBA president)
Shortly after President Feyi Dinyo’s call, the national vice-president Mr. Ladi Lewis (government affairs) also called in from Nigeria. Mr. Ladi Lewis wished all members a happy reunion.
By 4 pm, the annual general meeting of North America chapter was over and followed immediately with another light refreshments and photo session.
The main event took off at 7:30 pm, with a prayer and singing of the school’s hymn. After singing, Mr. Niyi Fagbamiye (North America chapter’s president) delivered his speech. He thanked members and their families for coming and officially welcomed everybody to the 2014 reunion.
After the NA president’s speech, the buffet party took off in a grand style. Members ate, drank, exchanged pleasantries, and socialized (dance, dance, dance) all night long until early Sunday morning.
During the buffet party, live band show from Mr. Benjamin Adadevoh and his wife, children game competitions, raffles, and auction sales – all these activities – added colors and excitements to the grand occasion.
By 5:30 am on Sunday, the 2014 North America chapter’s reunion in Memphis, Tennessee finally ended.
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BIFOBA Gentlemen,Find attached the new Master Plan for BFHS as put together by BIFOBA National Exco and adopted by the General House. The new Master Plan and all the workings accompanying same will ultimately lead to:-1) Permanent deflooding of the School, which process began a few days ago based on the series of meetings between National Exco and officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment.2) Fencing of the un-disputed portion of the School land to improve the security of the school which has completely broken down on account of the porous nature of the premises. Again,given the series of meetings held with the Commissioner of Education and her officials. the fencing of the School should start in earnest shortly.The new Master Plan as shown is descriptive of a future Birch Freeman High School that is Solid, Compact and will be one of the most competitive and sought after schools (with Boarding facilities) in Nigeria.As Exco continues its pursuit of the development of BFHS in accordance with the agreed Master Plan we will continue to keep Old Boys worldwide abreast of developments as they occur.Best Regards,FEYI DINYOGLOBAL PRESIDENT
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