Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Bifoba NA chapter’s President
2014 Reflection from the NA President
Looking back at 2014, I believe the year has been a busy and successful year for Bifoba NA chapter.
We have come a long way and still have a lot to accomplish as a growing association. I will encourage all present members to make it a promise to themselves to at least bring two new members every year to join the association – with more members we can accomplish more.
Accomplishments over the past year:
Membership increased
More constructive and positive discussions
Financial and moral supports for our departed members and their families.
Donated dictionaries/gazetteers to the Junior school
Successful and memorable reunion in Memphis, Tennessee.
Goals and Aspirations for 2015
Family matters (Promote and encourage more time spending with family)
To create more sub chapters in different cities and states all over North America.
Bifoba NA chapter’s collective aspiration for Birch Freeman High School (Every member is welcome to make suggestions directly to the president and other executive members on issues of interest about the chapter or BIFOBA in general).
As a member or mentor, what legacy do we want to be remembered for (Let Question ourselves what Legacy are we living behind???)
All above mentioned accomplishments could not have been possible without God and the help of each and everyone of you. I am truly honored and blessed. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Prosperous New year in advance.
Up School !!!
Thank you all.
Niyi Fagbamiye
President Bifoba NA.
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Wow! Saturday, April 30, 2016 had come and gone but the memories of the day would remain indelible in the hearts of all Old Boys of Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Lagos, their friends, spouses and well wishers who attended the Annual Home Coming Event of the Old Boys, which was held on the said date in BIFOBA built school Auditorium.
The event commenced at about 4.00 pm Nigeria time. It was an evening of great excitement and splendor as Old Boys, with their spouses, gorgeously dressed, gathered to celebrate the Annual Home Coming, which was ably tagged “A new song”
The Chairman of the event was His Excellency Chief (Senator) Segun Bamigbetan Baju (former Nigeria Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba), who in his opening remarks, commended the leadership of BIFOBA and the entire members of the Association for their unmatched commitment to the development and advancement of their Alma Mater and, also, congratulated the new Global President, Barrister Kingsley Essien, on his inauguration, while urging him to improve upon the previous administration’s achievements.
Other dignitaries who attended the event amongst several others were Most Reverend Luke O. Odubanjo, the Archbishop of Lagos Methodist Church of Nigeria, who led a delegation of over ten priests of the Methodist Church to the event.
The Archbishop – in his brief address on behalf of the Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. S.C.K Uche JP, and the entire members of the Methodist Church of Nigeria – Archdiocese of Lagos – congratulated all the Old Boys and prayed that the 2016 Home Coming will not be the last for all the Old Boys in the land of the living.
The Revered Archbishop also appreciated the leaders of BIFOBA who, according to him, honoured God when they attended a meeting summoned by him with the Church leaders on his assumption of office on the 8th of March 2016. He assured BIFOBA that Methodist Church, under the leadership of His Eminence, Dr. S.C.K Uche, will not relent on her efforts in repositioning the school, since there is a strong synergy between the Church and the Old Boys Association. In conclusion, the Archbishop made the following commitments on behalf of the Methodist Church Nigeria. (a) A Minister will be posted to Birch Freeman High School by October this year as a full time chaplain to facilitate the spiritual development of the students. (b) The Church would facilitate a meeting with the Executive Governor of Lagos State to resolve the issue of giving back to Methodist mission the management of the school.
The outgoing Global President, Mr. Feyi Dinyo, in his farewell speech, highlighted the BIFOBA’s achievements during his tenure as Global President. He particularly thanked all the members of his executive for their commitments and doggedness in ensuring that the ideals of BIFOBA were upheld. He promised to cherish their support for as long as he lives. He also appreciated members of the Guild of Awardees, Body of Past Presidents and the entire BIFOBA worldwide for their support.
Highlight of the event was the inauguration of the new Global President and members of his executive. The inauguration was ably conducted by Mr. Oluwemimo Ogunde, SAN. And, thereafter, in a colourful ceremony, members of the Body of Past Presidents, led by Mr. Francis Van – Lare, escorted the outgoing Global President from the high table to the podium to perform the rites of handover to Barrister Kingsley Essien. They pledged their support to the new executive and, in one voice, supported the handover by Mr. Feyi Dinyo to Barr. Kingsley Essien.
While Barr. Kingsley Essien took his oath of office and was being decorated with the insignia of the office of the Global President, the photograph of Mr. Feyi Dinyo on the wall was being stylishly replaced with that of Barr. Kingsley Essien. Immediately after assuming office, president Kingsley Essien performed his first duty of ringing the bell, while Old Boys stood to receive instructions from him to be seated. Barr. Kingsley Essien’s acceptance speech highlighted his determination to further advance the ideals of the Association. Members of his Association of Lions Clubs International were well represented to lend their support to the new BIFOBA Global President.
The Birch Freeman High School twenty-man Choir and Orchestra entertained and inspired the guests with the rendition of the Classic “ E Korin Ayo” song. This Song further reiterated the theme of the Home Coming ‘‘A New Song.’’ The N 3.2 Million musical instruments donated by the North America Chapter added colour to the event.
Members of the 1976 Set, dressed in their white traditional attire and green Aso Oke mufflers, marched out in a colourful parade for their thanksgiving presentation to celebrate 40 years of graduation from Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Lagos. The set Chairman Mr. Tim Faminigba ended his thanksgiving speech by presenting to the school the Set’s gift of a “Multipurpose Sport Pavilion” comprising of a Volley Ball, Lawn Tennis, and Basket Ball Courts. Immediately after the speech, old boys of 1976 set, members of the high table, and other guests were accompanied by a musical band to the pavilion for the commissioning of the courts.
The programme rose to a crescendo with the conferment and subsequent admittance of Engr. Boniface Ehirim as a member of the Guild of Awardees. Engr. Ehirim was conferred with this honour based on his commitment to the ideals of BIFOBA and Birch Freeman High School. Engr. Ehirim served as the 2nd President of BIFOBA. It was a colourful ceremony as members of the Guild welcomed him to the Group. After the admittance ceremony, members of the Guild then proceeded to the front porch of the auditorium where the chairman of the event His Excellency Chief (Senator) Segun Bamigbetan Baju unveiled the BIFOBA’s honours roll engraved in marble, such that the names of the Guild Members are immortalized, which would serve as a motivation for other aspiring Old Boys to be members.
The well-attended event ended at about 8.00pm.
It was indeed a glorious outing and members look forward to future Home Comings.
Olise – Emeka Nwachukwu
National Publicity Secretary
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Fellow Old Boys Compliments of the season as I express sincere thanks to you all for the show of support since my take-over of the Presidency of our Association.
As part of my responsibilities, I write in connection with the BIFOBA Blazer Project (an outstanding issue handed over to me by the immediate past Global President (Mr. Feyi Dinyo), to give an update of the current situation and the plan by the current National Executive Council (“Exco”) to resolve the issue once and for all. Let me assure that I, like every other Old Boy who has paid for the said Blazer is desirous of getting the Blazer as quickly as possible consequently, my Colleagues in Exco and I have resolved to do all that is necessary to ensure that the Project is executed immediately and the Blazers delivered to Old Boys soonest.
It may be necessary to give a background information on the BIFOBA Blazer Project to educate Old Boys on the immediate past Exco’s genuine good intention and efforts to procure the Blazers at a “low” Cost based on Bulk (Volume) purchase which plan unfortunately could not be implemented fully. As the Vice President (School Affairs) of Exco at the point in time, I was involved in the whole process, from the conception stage, through to the implementation and the current stage where everything appears to be in limbo and consequently state as follows:-
BACKGROUND INFO
i) The Retail Price given by the Manufacturers was US$300.00 per Blazer which Price was arrived at based on the light-weight type woolen Fabric chosen by Old Boys, the specialised Olive-Green colour chosen, the various effects; in terms of the type of buttons to be affixed, “patched” breast & side pockets, double Side Vent cuts etc. and the specialised (totally uncommon) shape of our School Badge. Consideration was also given to the fact Exco had in 2009 made a purchase of 75 Units of the old, thick Blazer from the same Company to mark our School’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in February, 2010.
ii) Based on the existing relationship and the promise to purchase even a larger quantity than 2009, Exco negotiated a Bulk (Discounted) Price of US$200.00 per Unit which was agreed to by the Manufacturers on the promise that Exco places a minimum Order of 150 Units (double the Order of 2009) in the first instance, and commence to place additional Orders of up to 500 Units to make the transaction worth the while of the Manufacturer’s investments since they were going to specifically produce the Olive-Green fabric chosen by BIFOBA which nobody/School currently uses.
iii) The deal was sealed by Exco at a Discounted Rate of US$200.00 per Unit and Exco was expected to place an Order for and pay for the first 150 Units.
iv) Having negotiated the Discounted Rate of US$200.00 per Unit, Exco calculated and requested Old Boys to pay as follows:-
BIFOBA Headquarters (Nigeria) – N30,000.00 per Unit North America Chapter – US$200.00 plus $50.00 Delivery Cost U.K. Chapter – £170.00 plus £30.00 Delivery Cost
v) In the wisdom of our Old Boys in Diaspora (both North America and U.K Chapters) who felt it was cheaper to buy same in Naira (given the prevailing Foreign Exchange Rate at the point in time) chose to pay N 30,000.00 per Blazer stipulated for Old Boys in Nigeria and went further to convince Exco to forget about delivery costs assuring that they will arrange to take the Blazers to America and the U.K respectively on their own private arrangements which Exco acceded to.
It is important to inform that what Exco received from all Old Boys world-over for the Blazers was Naira (not US Dollars or Pounds Sterling).
vi) Exco unfortunately was and is still unable to meet the deadline for the 150 Units Order till date. The total Order received from Nigeria, North America and U.K thus far is for just 82 Units. Exco had requested for an extension of time by 3 months, and another subsequent 3 months and a further 3 months all of which lapsed because Exco could not come up with the 150 Units Order.
It was in the process of trying to get the first 150 Units Order that the Foreign Exchange Rate in Nigeria skyrocketed and eroded almost completely, the value of the N 30,000.00 per Unit paid by Old Boys Naturally, the Manufacturers are upset with BIFOBA, having already invested a huge sum in the production of the Blazer Fabric in a large quantity to meet this Order and future ones which according to them is looking (as it were), like a loss situation.
SOLUTION The current situation in Nigeria, based on consensus is that Old Boys will pay an additional N 10,000.00 each per Blazer and that Exco should go ahead and place an Order for the current 82 Units as they can no longer continue to wait indefinitely for the Blazers especially since the Exchange Rate is increasing on a daily basis. For Old Boys in Nigeria, the most important thing is to get the Blazers now before the value of the N30,000.00 earlier paid is completely eroded.
Prior to Mr. Dinyo’s retirement as Global President, I am aware that there had been on-going discussions between Exco and the Presidents of both the North America and U.K Chapters on the Blazer issue, both of whom are also of the view that Exco should go ahead and place an Order for the 82 Units for which funds already are in Exco’s possession and that their members will also be willing to pay the additional N 10,000.00 (payable by members in Nigeria) provided that the Order will be placed immediately and will arrive within 90-days from the expected Order placement date which tentatively is put at 31stJuly, 2016 by which time we believe that all of the N10,000.00 additional payments will have been received and necessary Foreign Exchange for the Order procured and wire-transferred to the Manufacturers.
It is pertinent to mention at this stage that Exco received one (1) isolated case (from the U.K Chapter) of an Old Boy requesting that his money be returned to a U.K Bank Account because the BIFOBA Blazer Project according to the said Old Boy had dragged for too long.
Exco needs to reiterate that what we got from the U.K Chapter and indeed from all Old Boys who paid towards the Blazer is N30,000.00 each, (not Pounds Sterling or Dollars). While Exco has no problems returning the N30,000.00 to any Old Boy emphatically insisting on a refund, we however wish to advise against same as such an attitude will be inimical to the “spirit of unity” and camaraderie being fostered in our Association.
We do recognise that the transaction has dragged however, this Exco is more favourably disposed to finding a lasting solution to the issue and ensuring that Old Boys get their Blazers in the shortest possible time trusting that we shall receive the cooperation of all Old Boys involved.
To enable Exco move forward on the Blazer issue, my Colleagues in Exco and I wish to specially appeal to our members in the North America and U.K Chapters respectively to assist BIFOBA in paying the N 10,000.00 additional sum either in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling such that the total Naira amount to be converted to US Dollars for wire-transfer to the Manufacturers (at the current rapidly rising Exchange Rate) will not be so much, as paying in Naira will still create the problem of having to source for scarce US Dollars currently unavailable even in the parallel market in Nigeria.
Helping to pay this difference in Foreign currency (US$ or £) will go a long way in assisting Exco to get the Blazers produced by the Manufacturers and delivered to us in Lagos much sooner than later such that everybody is happy.
I trust that I can count on our Old Boys to assist in doing the needful as requested. Yours Sincerely BARR. KINGSLEY ESSIEN GLOBAL PRESIDENT
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My dear distinguished fellow Executive Council Members and fellow Old Boys of Birch Freeman High School Old Boys Association (BIFOBA).
It gives me the greatest honour to address you today as the Global President of our great Association – BIFOBA. I address you with the greatest sense of humility and with a total and complete submission to the will of God.
Let me acknowledge and thank the Immediate Past Global President, Mr. Feyi Dinyo for his selfless service to this Association in the past four years and for lifting the Bar in terms of service to our Association. He, along with other members of his Executive Council which I had the privilege to be a part of, worked tirelessly to ensure that this Association is placed on a firm footing. I am proud of my bosom friend and indeed I am also proud of the contributions made by all the past presidents and the Executive Councils of the Association. Of course, my thanks also go to all our members who have remained committed to the cause and ideals of the Association. Through the selfless commitment of all of us, Great Old Boys, we have ensured that our Alma Mater, which was being tagged an abandoned property, is revamped and all of us are now proud to tell anybody loud and clear that we attended Birch Freeman High School, Surulere. I promise to contribute my quota in maintaining the standard which has been ably set in ensuring that the labour of our heroes past is not in vain.
GLOBAL PRESIDENT’S THEM OF THE YEAR
Distinguished fellow Old Boys, my Theme for the service year 2016/2018 shall be “STRENGTHEN THE PRIDE”. In order to strengthen our pride which we achieved through serious and concerted efforts and to maintain the prestige and patriotism of the good stories of our past achievements, we must continue to be accountable for our actions with unswayed integrity. We must re – examine our commitment to the cause and ideals of the Association. Our participation and attendance at general meetings in the last few months had dropped significantly. Our financial position which determines greatly our ability to embark on projects that will raise the standard of our Alma Mater is nothing to write home about as members shy away from paying their dues which was deliberately brought low to encourage payment. In order to effectively execute our plans and strengthen the pride, our attitude must come with extra effort as plan is a function of attitude.
We cannot therefore afford to expect that things would go according to plan when we do not make the concerted effort to ensure that we implement and fund the plan. I therefore enjoin all members of this great Association to join me and my executive towards writing another success story. The success of this Administration would be another success story of our great Association and not the success of an individual. By the Grace of God we shall have another success story of moving this Association forward to a greater height.
How do we achieve this success story that will strengthen our pride? I believe that although we have an Executive Council, all members of this Association are integral part of the Global President’s team. Attaining the Association’s goals is therefore our collective responsibility. Having goals and making plans to achieve them are two key steps to being successful. Every member has his important role to play and by working together, our Association will be able to meet its full potential and strengthen the pride. This Global President belongs to everybody and needs the support of all members of this Association.
ASSOCIATIONS ADMINISTRATION
You will recall that in November 2015, we gave to ourselves a brand new Constitution and Bye – Laws. We shall strive to administer the Association in accordance with the provisions of our Constitution. I sincerely believe that if we lay strong structures, there will be foundation for the coming Administrations to build upon. Everybody will know what to expect and there will be certainty and the Association will become a place where equity, fairness and justice shall prevail with emphasis on proper accountability of our lean resources. There is need for us to follow the best practices obtainable in the running of an International Association. The Executive Council decisions shall be our compass while members at our General Meetings shall have the opportunity to ratify Executive Council decisions.
BUDGET
Based on our projections and plans for 2016 – 2017 service year, a proposed budget is hereby attached for your deliberation and approval.
DUES
Membership due for the year 2016/2017 service year (May 2016 to April 2017) will remain at N12, 000.00 (Twelve Thousand Naira) Only. I have deliberately resisted the urge to push for an increase despite the fact that I know, just as I am aware that you all know that given the present circumstances, the sum of N12, 000.00 per member as dues, is grossly inadequate for the execution of all the responsibilities of this Association. However, with prudent management, I believe that we shall make some impact.
I therefore call on members to please pay their dues promptly so as to give the new Administration something to take off with. I must add that in the course of the service year, we shall call upon and encourage members whom the Lord has lifted higher, to please reciprocate the gesture by giving something back to the Association. I want to say therefore that whereas the minimum dues for the service year is N12, 000.00, members are at liberty to “donate” much more than N12, 000.00. I trust that most of us will honour this call. I thank you in advance as you do so.
MEETINGS
Executive Council meetings shall continue to hold as usual on the second Thursday of the month while General Meetings will hold as usual on every second Sunday of every month. Members are encouraged to sponsor General Meetings. General Meetings venue remains the school compound (Our Auditorium). Early attendance at General Meetings shall be emphasised and encouraged as time management is very crucial and sacrosanct during conduct of all meetings. Meeting shall commerce at 3.30pm prompt. Our General Meeting shall henceforth be conducted in a formal and businesslike manner.
Invitation of speakers to our General Meetings is also very key for the purpose of knowledge acquisition. In the absence of external speakers, members would be encouraged to handle topics in their areas of specialization.
Every member must familiarise himself with the use of social media and must be internet compliant with functional e-mails. Minutes of Meetings shall be sent to members e-mail addresses prior to meetings while few copies would be printed in order to save the cost of printing and to enable shortest possible time to be spent on reading of Minutes at meetings.
MEMBERSHIP
This is the most important core project of this Administration and shall be given adequate attention. We shall go outside the box to encourage and identify all our old boys. I believe in the saying that, the more, the merrier. We shall take the attraction and sustainability of our members as our watchword. We shall encourage sets to scout for their set members and membership strength shall be rewarded.
WELFARE
Welfare of members shall be given proper attention. Visit to elder members by set members and report of their state of health during General Meetings shall be encouraged. Members are encouraged to attend and play various roles of assistance whenever we are invited to social engagements by members. My Administration will also introduce a welfare scheme to be known as BIFOBA WELFARE SCHEME. The BIFOBA Welfare Scheme shall be a total concept, which is intended to bring about the desirable state of existence involving the physical, mental, moral and emotional well being of every member of the Association. The aim and objective of the scheme shall, amongst others, be to provide financial, moral and other relief to members in case of emergency.
I have discovered that for members to be motivated to contribute their quota in the affairs of BIFOBA, there is the need to assure them that they will be supported when the occasion arises.
The introduction of the welfare scheme is therefore expected to bring about a sense of belonging towards the Association.
BIRTHDAYS
Members will be celebrated during the month of their birth at the general meeting. Such celebration shall be encouraged with cutting of cakes, taking of photographs and the presentation of birthday cards. This celebration will ensure a spirit of conviviality, brotherhood, and unity.
OUR AUDITORIUM
The Lord has been Gracious unto us. Miraculously, we have made tremendous progress towards the execution of this project. However, we are yet to attain the standard of the Auditorium of our dream. The completion of this Auditorium up to the standard we have set for ourselves is now our collective responsibility. We must dig deep into our collective ingenuity and figure out ways to raise fund to complete this project.
The Auditorium Building and management committee shall be reorganized and reinvigorated to hit the ground running and to ensure that this project is completed and managed to the Glory of God and for the benefit of our Alma Mater, the students, members of the Association and of course mankind.
STANDING AND OTHER COMMITTEES
Under and by virtue of Article XV Sections 1 and 2, of our Constitution and Bye – Laws, your Association is entitled to seven standing committees. The Global President is also empowered to set up other committees as may be required for the effective running of the Association and for the adequate attainment of the Associations Aims and Objectives.
The Standing Committees are:
(1) Academic Committee
(2) Physical and Environmental Committee
(3) Welfare Committee
(4) Sports Committee
(5) Social/Publicity Committee
(6) Auditorium Building and Management Committee and
(7) Web – Site Management Committee
All these Committees and those yet to be formed require committed and dedicated members who will help to realize the aims and objectives of the Association through the effective performance of the duties of each Committee. I hereby call for voluntary membership of the Committees. Remember that during the introductory part of this Address, I assured you that we will all serve together. We will all succeed together and God will take all the Glory. If you ever loved this Association, this is the time to prove it. Be an active and a responsible member of a Committee and contribute your quota towards the realization of the Aims and Objectives of this Association.
SETS ACTIVITIES
I want to thank all active sets for their efforts in keeping the hope aims and objectives of BIFOBA alive. I also want to use this medium to encourage non active sets to emulate the active sets and not to be left behind.
However, I have observed that some members erroneously prefer to limit their services to their sets. They find it convenient to attend their sets meetings and activities but would have nothing to do with the National Body. For these kind of members, let me remind them that without the parent, there can be no child. The parents and the children must co – habit together and in constant harmony. The children are expected to under study their parents and to imbibe the fine ideals that their parents have to offer. When the children grow up, they are expected to team up with their parents and together they form a formidable team and serve better.
In this instance the National Body is the parent while the sets are the children. There must be a synergy to work together. I liken the relationship to that of a pair of scissors. The two pairs must come together before it can cut whatever is there to be cut. Each pair will bring its sharpness and join it with the sharpness of the other pair and cutting will be done easily and smoothly. BIFOBA can only achieve its aim and objectives if we learn to behave like a pair of scissors. Please take note that the National General Meeting holds on the second Sunday of every month. Do not fix your set meetings for that day. Encourage your set members to attend the National General Meeting and to participate in the activities of the National Body.
GUILD MEMBERS
My Dear Fellow Guild Members, I salute the courage and commitment of some of our members who have remained committed to the discharge of the oath of allegiance that we each took upon our admittance to this privileged group. However, I regret to say that some of our members have not shown enough commitment to the Aim and Objectives of BIFOBA which we swore to up – hold and defend. There is a saying that to whom much is given, much is expected. Really, much is expected of us as a group. I urge you to please put yourselves together and walk your oath. This is the only way we can say thank you to God for making it possible for us to have been selected to be members of this special group. I will be calling upon you individually and as a group from time to time. When I do, please answer my call.
MEMBERS IN DIASPORA
My Dear Members of the North American and United Kingdom Chapters, I salute your courage and commitment especially in the last two years to the ideals of our great Association. You have proven without doubt that you were trained for Duty and for God. Your contributions towards our school are well noted and documented. I assure you that when the roll is called, you will be given your proper place and recognition.
I will however advise that you do not rest on your oars. Let each emerging executive be determined to improve upon the achievement of the past executive. Let the spirit of brotherly love completely overwhelm the bad spirit of envy and divisiveness. Bear in mind at all times that together, we achieve more. I urge you to key into my theme for the year which is – strengthen the pride. I believe that we have every reason to be proud of our past as an Association and that we should strengthen the resolve to achieve even more so that we can have a proud past and a hopeful and bright future.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I salute the courage and the dogged commitment of all members of this great Association all over the world for the sacrifice made in the past to keep the Association’s flag flying. I am using this opportunity to assure you all that I will contribute my quota to the success of this great Association.
I therefore crave the indulgence and cooperation of all members towards this success. Let us all pledge, commit, cooperate, donate our time, write a cheque and improve our Alma Mater. Let us not renege in our commitment to growing this Association to better the lot of our Alma Mater and our students who are future Old Boys and who need us most. Let us keep on inviting new members to help position this Association for success and keep working to make our Alma Mater a better school. Let us set a bar below which Birch Freeman High School must never sink. Let us have the ability to respond to the unexpected in order to show the strongman in us. Let us ignore what gets us claps and do what our conscience tells us is right. Let us ask ourselves “why do we try hard to fit in when we were born to stand out”.
Let us bear in mind that we cannot change the past but that the choices we make today can change the future. Let’s learn not to throw in the towel when we are challenged rather, let us use the towel to wipe the sweat off our faces.
I also respect the verse in the Holy Bible (Matthew 7:12) that says “do unto others what you would have them do to you.”
But in all, I take to Jack Welch’s famous word: “Leadership is not a popularity contest, so lead.”
Let me therefore appreciate all of us for agreeing to come on board with me on this demanding journey. A journey of a thousand years, they say, begins with a first step. Let the journey begin.
Above all, I wish to thank the Almighty God, the miracle worker for granting me the opportunity to serve this Association in the position of a Global President. I know that he shall not forsake all of us as we sacrifice our time and other resources to serve and lift the standard of our Alma Mater.
God bless you all.
Yours in Service
Barrister Kingsley Iniobong Essien
Global President, 2016/2018 Service Year.
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Welcome to the month of October. October is a very important month in the history of our great country – Nigeria. This is the month that Nigeria, our dear Country got her independence. Our Country is now 56 years old. Your Alma Mater, is also 56 years old. As we celebrate Nigeria, for remaining as one nation up to 56 years, let us also celebrate our Alma Mater and by extension, ourselves for having attended a school that shares the same age with Nigeria. Congratulations.
Gentlemen, I am in a good mood, I appeal to all of you to please join me in thanking and appreciating our dear 1972 set for being the first set to respond to my plea that we must take our destiny in our own hands and look for ways to complete our dear Auditorium.
Recall that in my briefing to you dated September 14, 2016, I attached a quotation for the supply and installation of powder coated Aluminium casement windows and fixed light and swing doors to our Auditorium.
Items needed were broken down into nine (9) as follows:
(1) 13nos Supply and installed powder coated
aluminium casement windows glazed with 5mm
thick clear glass, with sub-frame size 1500 × 1700mm
(7) 4nos Ditto, 10mm 2-side fixed double swing door
D1 size 2400 × 2200mm high (Back Hall)
@ N491, 557. N1, 966, 228
(8) 2nos Ditto, 10mm fixed double swing doors
D3 size 1800 × 2200mm high (Toilet main entrance)
@ N400, 761. N801, 522
(9) 5nos Ditto, 10mm fixed double swing door D4 size 1500 × 2200mm high (Kitchen & store)
@ N332, 877. N1, 664,385
I am happy to inform you that our dear 1972 set graciously adopted item No 1 which cost N1, 437, 033.00. They also raised a Bank draft for the said sum in our favour. 1972 Set, thank you very much. May God bless and replenish all of you. I assure you on behalf of Exco that your money will be put to use for the purpose it is meant.
Gentlemen, this is a challenge to other Sets. What can we do as a Set to help complete our Auditorium? I will be delighted to have announcements from Sets as to what they intend to do during our General Meeting of Sunday October 9, 2016.
Please attend early as it promises to be a great meeting.
DATES TO REMEMBER
My dear brothers, please permit me to remind you of the following date
1. FOUNDERS DAY – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2017
This day is our Founders day. Please note the date in your Dairy and keep it free. As it is our tradition, we shall celebrate our Founders day. The publicity secretary will keep you informed of the details of the celebration.
2. HOME COMING 2017 – SATURDAY APRIL 29, 2017.
This day will be our Home Coming day for the year 2017. Please note this date in your Dairy and keep it free. Further details about the day will be made available soon. Watch out.
God bless you all. Have a beautiful day.
Yours sincerely,
Your Global President.
Barr. Kingsley Essien.
https://bifoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BIFOBA-National-Logo-Low-res-JPEG-1.jpg00Bifobahttps://bifoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BIFOBA-National-Logo-Low-res-JPEG-1.jpgBifoba2022-01-01 06:38:322022-01-01 06:38:34The Global President Appreciation
THE DESK OF THE GLOBAL PRESIDENT BARRISTER KINGSLEY ESSIEN barrkingsleyessien@yahoo.com
To: ALL MEMBERS OF BIFOBA
SUBJECT: PERIODIC BRIEFING – OCTOBER 2016
My Dear Brothers,
Peace of the Lord be with you today and always. This is my briefing to you on the activities of our Association from the 14th of September 2016 (the date of my last letter) to today, October 20, 2016. Please do me a favour. Forward this mail to members of your set or other Bifoba members whose e–mail addresses are available to you. Be informed also that the main reason of this briefing is to keep you abreast of your Association’s activities within the period under focus and to provide you with an opportunity to contribute your ideas to the running of our dear Association.
1.00. MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING
1.01. Our mandatory monthly General Meeting was held on Sunday, October 9, 2016 inside our Auditorium. I use this opportunity to thank all the members who attended the meeting. Attendance was not encouraging at all. I plead with members to kindly find time to attend our statutory meetings so as to fellowship with other Old Boys and to contribute ideas towards the running of the Association. I like to repeat what I said in my last briefing – you do not have to attend twelve meetings of the year. However, I am sure that with determination, you can attend either six (6) or four (4) meetings out of the twelve meetings prescribed under the constitution. Please let us make the effort. I also want to congratulate those whose birthday fell in the month of October who were celebrated during the meeting. Once again I say, “Happy birthday to you all, long life and prosperity”. I urge all members whose birthday falls in the month of November to please confirm by return mail either to me on this e –mail address or to the Welfare Officer Mr. Lanre Hassan on 0802537550 to enable us plan for you.
2.00. OUR AUDITORIUM
2.01. Gentlemen, I am very happy to report that the 1972 Set responded to my call which was contained in paragraph 5.0 of my last briefing. The distinguished set donated to us the sum of N1, 437, 03 to cover the supply and installation of Powder Coated Aluminium Casement Window Glazed with 5mm thick clear glass with subframe (5 of them), with the size of 1500×1700mm high, and another five windows with size 1500×750m and double swing door with 2 side fixed glazed with 10mm thick clear glass size 2200×2400mm high.
2.02. This means that the windows and door on the right side of the Auditorium have now been taken care of by the 1972 set. Contract for the production and fixing of the windows and door was awarded on Wednesday October 19, 2016. By the time we attend our General Meeting for November, the contract would have been executed. On your behalf, I hereby thank our 1972 set very profusely for this kind gesture. May the Lord continue to bless you all.
3.00. FURTHER BREAKDOWN OF THE COMPLETION OF THE AUDITORIUM.
3.01. A lot of sets and individual members have been calling me and requesting for a more understanding breakdown of the different segments of the Auditorium and their cost implications. By popular demand and further to my promise, please find as attached, the breakdown of the further works in form of the windows and the doors of the completed parts of our Auditorium. They have been broken down as follows.
(1) Left side of the Auditorium from the entrance N 1, 461,868.70
(2) Right side of the Auditorium from the entrance (Gone, Courtesy 1972 Set) N 1, 461, 868.70
(3) Back side of the Auditorium i.e. the side facing the entrance N 2, 486, 294.60
(4) Round house 1 – i.e. the first round house from The Mushin gate N 2, 458, 591.00
(5) Round house 2 – i.e. the 2nd round house from Mushin gate N 2, 458, 591.00
3.02. After the windows and the doors, we shall move on to other items. I am confident that so long as our Redeemer liveth, we shall complete our Auditorium to the Glory of God. Items nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5 are still available please. You can take 100% or 50% or share with other sets.
4.00. SET MEETINGS
4.01. I congratulate all the Sets that held their meetings within the period under focus. I hope that members read my goodwill message which was posted on our Bifoba Global Platform on Sunday, October 16, 2016. I hereby encourage sets to take their set meetings seriously. Those sets who are yet to inaugurate their set meetings should please do so urgently. I am aware that up to four sets held their meetings on Sunday, the 16th of October 2016. I hope that my goodwill message guided you in your deliberations.
I was able to personally attend the inaugural meeting of 1987 set which was held all the way at Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah. I thank members for the warm reception accorded to me. I hope that now that I have sent the comprehensive breakdown of the glasses and doors and the cost implications, you will be guided accordingly. Congratulations and welcome on board.
I instructed the V.P Government, Mr. Dada Ajai – Ikhile to attend the 1992 set meeting which was also held on the 16th instant. I have been given a feed back and I want to particularly thank this young set for their interest in the development of a football field for our Alma Mater. May God in His Infinite Mercy strengthen you and make it possible for you to accomplish this your lofty desire. I love you all. Thank you.
5.00. SET AND BIFOBA GLOBAL WHAATSAPP PLATFORMS
5.01. I hereby plead with sets who are yet to have platforms to please do so. It makes communication easier. Please hook me up to your platforms with my phone no. 07080378023. I advise that members should please visit the Bifoba Global Whatsapp Platform for information regarding our Association. Members should also contribute meaningfully to the Platform. For more details on the Bifoba Global Platform please contact the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olise – Nwachukwu on 08023469613.
6.00. FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION
6.01. Our Founders Day comes up on the 6th of February 2017. It is our practice to commemorate this day. Details of celebration will be forwarded to you by the Publicity Secretary. However, I hereby remind our members who created endowments to get prepared to do the needful. The General Secretary will soon get to you to refresh your memory about what is required of you. In the mean time, please keep the 6th of February 2017 free to celebrate with our students and to personally present your awards.
7.00. HOME-COMING 2017
7.01. Our Home Coming 2017 will hold on April 29, 2017. Exco has graciously pegged dinner fees once again despite the galloping inflation at N10, 000.00 only. There will be no room for gate crashing this time. Every member must pay his dinner fees. This N10, 000.00 covers a member and his spouse (female please). I plead with you to start to plan for the Home Coming now. You are allowed to pay instalmentally. Kindly pay into our A/C No: 10102215457. Our Bankers remain Zenith Bank Plc. After payment, please call Mr. Bayo Bakare, the Treasurer on 08023138869 and report payment so that your payment will be properly captured. We need money to be paid in advance to enable us plan the event.
8.00. INSURANCE SCHEME
8.01. Please refer to my briefing on the above during my September briefing. You can find the briefing on paragraph 9.00 of my briefing dated September 14, 2016. By the Grace of God, this scheme will commence on the 1st of November 2016. You still have two weeks to join. Please do so.
9.00. PAYMENT OF DUES
9.01. Gentlemen, the 6th month of the BIFOBA CALENDAR is nearly over. Our calendar year runs from May to April. I can count on my finger tips how many members have paid their dues. No Association can survive without money. I beg of you to please pay your dues of N12, 000.00 only into our A/C with Zenith Bank A/c No: 1010228516. Upon payment, please inform the Treasurer, Mr. Bayo Bakare on 08023138869. Thank you.
10.00. MONTHLY BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS
10.01. Gentlemen, we are only just beginning to compile data of member’s month of birth. Please call us – 08023043967 (GP) 08025357550 (Mr. Lanre Hassan, (Welfare Officer) and confirm your birth month to enable us plan how to celebrate with you. Please do this for us. All members born in the month of November should please confirm to us accordingly at least a week before the General Meeting.
11.00. DVD OF HOME-COMING 2016
11.01. The DVD for Home Coming 2016 is ready as promised. It costs N 500.00 each. It was on sale during the October meeting and will also be on sale during the November 2016 General Meeting. Try and get a copy for yourself and buy for your set members please.
12.00. NEXT LECTURE – NOVEMBER 13, 2016 GENERAL MEETING.
12.01. In keeping with our promise, our next lecture will be on PROSTRATE. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PROSTRATE. Our Dear Professor, David Adewale Oke, Professor of Cardiology, Chief Medical Director of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, has graciously agreed to educate us on this very important health condition. Attend our next General Meeting and avail yourself of the opportunity to educate yourself. Please tell others. Meeting starts at 3.30 pm prompt. Please take notice that if you are 40 years and above, it is in your best interest to attend and listen to this lecture. The Holy Bible tells us that “People perish for lack of knowledge” come and acquire knowledge.
13.00. CELEBRATING SETS DURING HOME-COMING 2017.
13.01. Our Home Coming for 2017 will hold on Saturday, April 29, 2017. The celebrating sets are 1977, 1987 and 1992. These sets would be celebrating their 40th, 30th and 25th years of leaving Birch Freeman High School. I encourage each set to start serious preparations as to how they would like to celebrate. I also hereby put all members on notice of the event to enable you to start saving your gate – fee. Don’t be caught unawares.
14.00. GENERATING SET
14.01. Please refer to my briefing in respect of the above as contained in my briefing of September 14, 2016. I am still waiting for response please. Thank you.
15.00. CONCLUSION
15.01. My dear brothers, once again. I thank you for sparing the time to read this briefing. To encourage me, please let me know that you at least received this mail. All set chairmen are to please forward the briefing to their members. Thank you and God bless you all. See you at the next General Meeting and please accept the compliments of my best regards. Remain blessed.
I remain,
Yours Global President
Signed Barr Kingsley Essien
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Compliment of the season. On behalf of the Exco National, I wish all of you the most pleasant Christmas ever and a very prosperous new year 2017.
This is my briefing to you on the activities of our Association from the 29th of November 2016 to December 19, 2016.
As usual, please do me a favour. If you are lucky to receive this briefing, please forward same to your set members or other Bifoba members whose e –mail addresses you may have access to. Please spread the Gospel of BIFOBA. Thank you.
1.00. MONTHLY EXECUTIVE MEETING AND GENERAL MEETING.
1.01. Our compulsory monthly executive meeting took place on Thursday, December 8, 2016 while the compulsory General Meeting also took place as usual on Sunday, December 11, 2016. I seize this opportunity to thank all Exco members and all members who found time despite their very busy schedule to attend those meetings. I also use this opportunity to greet all members whose Birthday fell into the month of December. On behalf of all our members worldwide, I wish you once again, a very happy birthday. Those of you who attended the General Meeting will recall that we provided a cake to celebrate the occasion. We will continue to celebrate members birthdays monthly. We, however, encourage members to also reciprocate by attending at least the General Meetings of the month that their birthdays fall. You may also call Lanre the welfare officer on 0802537550 to find out the modalities for hosting.
2.00. OUR AUDITORIUM
2.01. Dear fellow old boys, In my November briefing, I informed you that we were making progress. I am very happy to inform you that the progress and success story continues. Our North American Chapter brothers answered our call to service. They took up the fixing of all the four swing doors on the back side of the Auditorium facing the entrance. Please see paragraph 3.00 of my November briefing. Your Exco was able to work out something which enabled us to take care of all the four doors, and all the windows. As I write to you, all the windows and all the doors on that side of the Auditorium are fixed and the beauty of your Auditorium is beginning to really show.
2.02. Wait for it! Another miracle. The left side of the Auditorium with ten windows and one swing door are being fixed. Thanks to 1982 Set. Thank you guys. God bless you all.
2.03. Fixing of the Round office at the Mushin end of the school has been taken up by the 1983 Set. Work will soon start. Gentlemen, little by little, our Auditorium is taking shape. Please join me to thank the 1972 Set, North American Chapter, 1982 Set and 1983 Set. God bless you all for heeding my call.
2.04. Round office at the Akobi Crescent side of the school compound is now begging for attention. I call on any Set that is touched to please call me on 08023043967 and let us talk.
2.05. TOILET. Our toilet is in a complete state of disrepair. I have directed that a comprehensive cost of total rehabilitation be made available to me. However, I call on any set/person who may wish to take up this important part of our Auditorium to please call me on 08023043967 and let us talk. God bless you as you call. I will post the quotation for all of us to see.
3.00. MINI STADIUM
3.01. The 1992 Set is on top of the game with our mini stadium. They have assured me that the stadium will be ready for commissioning during the Home Coming 2017 – April 29, 2017. I don’t want to say more about this project. You only need to attend the Founders day on February 6, 2017 to behold the progress of this project. Thank you 1992 set.
4.00. FOUNDERS DAY 2017
4.01. My briefing in respect of the above dated November 28, 2016 refers. I now call on all endowees and gift donors to please get in touch with me or the welfare officer or the VP school- Arc Ladi Lewis – 08034706278 or the Publicity Secretary – Mr. Olise Nwachukwu on 08023469613, 08096603333. Please also watch out for information on our Global Platform and other set Platforms and our web site.
5.00 HOME-COMING 2017
5.01. I hereby encourage Sets to organise themselves to pay for tables so as to enable them sit together. I hereby remind you that the date is Saturday April 29, 2017. Dinner fee is N10, 000.00. per couple. This fee covers each old boy and his spouse. A table for 10 will sit five (5) old boys and their five (5) wives. If we have a set that will have up to twenty (20) members in attendance, it means that that set will need a table for forty (40)ie 20 boys and 20 wives. A table for 10 is N100, 000.00. Table for 40 will be N400, 000.00. Please gather your Sets together and start to pay now. Next year’s Home Coming will be organized on Set bases. Please spread this news and start to work on it.
5.02. CELEBRATING SETS–The celebrating sets are = 1977–(40yrs), 1987-(30yrs) and 1992- (25yrs). Unfortunately, it is only the 1992 Set that is in touch with Exco and that is working towards what they intend to show case come April 29, 2017. I don’t know what 1977 and 1987 Sets intend to do. I however advise that they please as a matter of urgency start holding their meetings and then get in touch with the V.P School, Arc Ladi Lewis on the phone number I gave earlier.
6.00. INSURANCE POLICY
6.01. By popular demand and pleading, we have decided to extend the date of commencement of this policy to February 2017 General Meeting. You are hereby advised to take advantage of this extension to pay your N10, 000.00 into our Zenith Bank Plc A/C No. 1010228516. Please pay in your name and scan your teller to barrkingsleyessien@yahoo.com. This new date will not be extended. Please take note.
7.00. BLAZER
7.01. I have received a lot of calls in respect of the above subject. Let me assure all members who have paid N40, 000.00 and sent their correct jacket sizes that by the Grace of God, you would have your blazers before the Home Coming 2017.
8.00. REWARD/APPRECIATION FOR TEACHERS.
8.01. Recall that we plan to give two teachers, laptops, two teachers, Tablets and two teachers I phones during the Founders Day celebration which comes up on February 6, 2017. In my November briefing, I called for sponsorship. I have not received any response as I write this briefing. I hereby repeat my plea for sponsorship of these items. Please, if the spirit moves you, do call me or Olise or Lanre or Ladi Lewis. Our phone numbers are in the earlier paragraphs of this briefing. Please, let us appreciate these teachers.Thank you.
9.00. ANNUAL DUES
9.01. It is eight (8) months into the 2017/17 BIFOBA year, yet most of us have not paid our dues. Now I ask you, how do you expect exco to run the affairs of your Association? Once again I plead with you to please pay your dues of N12, 000.00 only to our account with Zenith Bank Plc A/C No. 1010228516 and please confirm payment to the treasurer, Mr. Bayo Bakare on phone No. 08023177876 or e-mail- bayucular@yahoo.com.
10.00. CONCLUSION
10.01. My dear brothers, we must thank God for the journey this far. The challenge has been enormous. However, because we were trained for duty and for God, HE has not deserted us. I pray that we will all witness the end of the year 2016 and see many more years in good health and that BIFOBA will continue to grow from strength to strength.
MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. God bless you all.
Yours Sincerely
Barr. Kingsley Essien, MGA
Global President
BIFOBA
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1997 Set Elected Executives During the Set First Reunion
1997 set organised its first reunion on the 22nd of January 2017. The occasion was graced by BIFOBA Global President, Barr. Kingsley Essien, BIFOBA National Publicity Secretary, Olise-Emeka Nwachukwu, BIFOBA Assistant National General Secretary, Rasaq Sanusi, Mrs. Mojirade Babatunde, Principal Birch Freeman High School, and two former teachers of the school: Mr. Ajayi (Mathematics) and Mrs. Odor Idalu-Josephe (English Teacher).
It was an exciting evening as members of the set wined and dined and shared memories of their days at Birch Freeman High School. The event reached its climax with the election of the Executive Committee Members conducted by Olise-Emeka Nwachukwu.
The Elected Executives
Qudus Bombata: Set Chairman
Kayode Kalejaiye: Vice Chairman,
Chidiebere Ohalete: Vice Chairman Diaspora
Raji Babatunde: Gen Secretary
Kayode Adeboye: Assistant General Secretary
Femi Odeyemi: Treasurer
Aneidi Samson Akpan: Financial Secretary
Obadina Olamilekan: Welfare1
Babajide Makinde: Welfare 2
Ayo Munis Moses: Publicity and Social Secretary
The Executive Committee members were inaugurated by BIFOBA Global President, Barr. Kingsley Essien.
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A TALK GIVEN ON THE 57th FOUNDERS’ DAY CELEBRATION OF BIRCH FREEMAN HIGH SCHOOL, SURULERE, LAGOS, ON MONDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 2017
By: Mrs. Oluwayemisi Omowo
A Good morning to:
Our Special Guest of Honour: The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Oluranti Adebule ably represented by the Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Education
The Global President, BIFOBA: Barr. Kingsley Essien
The Past Global President, BIFOBA: Feyi Dinyo
The 1st Vice President, BIFOBA: Arc. Ladipo Lewis
The 2nd Vice President, BIFOBA: Mr. Frederick Dada Ajaikhile
All Old Boys’ present at this occasion
All Past Principals of the school present
The Principal Senior School: Mrs. M. Babatunde
The Principal Junior School: Mrs. Oresanwo
All Our Esteemed Teachers
All Our Wonderful Parents
All Students present.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I will like to start by acknowledging the “I am that I am”, the Almighty God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ who made it possible for me and indeed all of us to be part of today’s 57th Founders’ Day Celebration of February 6th 2017. Truly, God’s mercies endure forever and are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.
I feel greatly honoured to be called upon to give a talk here today. Asking me to give a talk on “GETTING THE BEST OUT OF STUDENTS: MY EXPERIENCE” implies that my former students who made the request are telling me that I had by my actions, inactions and attitudes helped them be at their best and this is very encouraging because while they were my students, my middle name was “wicked”. “Wicked” because I insisted on students doing the right things at the right time and flagrant disobedience would not go unpunished. I am glad I did not relent doing what I knew was good and right in those days.
Before I go further, I would like to pay tribute to three great men who have distinguished themselves in life and have influenced my actions and attitudes very greatly:
Jesus Christ who became my Lord and personal Savior at an early age of 13 years and has been responsible for sharpening my thoughts and behavior since then.
Mr. Titus Olatawura Ogundahunsi of blessed memory – my father who showed me love and demonstrated that he believed in me in my early years. He was my idol until I met Jesus Christ.
Dr. ‘Funso Omowo, my darling husband without whose help I would not have performed well in all the schools where I taught. He has been a great support, encourager and leader. He willingly served the children and I all the years I couldn’t drive; and I cannot recall Him ever putting me under stress till date. May God continue to bless him greatly. Amen.
Why be a Teacher?
As a young lady of 19 years of age, I taught in a private nursery/primary school somewhere in Ikeja. There I observed the neglect suffered by children of career women and so I decided to read education so I can have plenty of time for my home, because I wanted to raise God-fearing children. As I started teaching, I looked around and I discovered that children of committed teachers never languished; “he that waters will be watered” according to the Bible.
During NYSC, I realized that to get the best out of my students, I had to spend time with them and for them in preparing my notes, make sure they were well taught in class so I would not become jittery during their exams. The student who is able to stand tall and compete favourably with his/her peers in academics, comportment and mannerism is definitely doing well. Today, I have no regret and I feel fulfilled.
SOME HELPFUL IDEAS/HINTS FOR TEACHERS:
1. Let God help you make decisions:
From experience, I know that we need God’s guidance as we take decisions that involve the lives and affect the future of children. There are many straight-forward situations and there will also be knotty situations and because we are limited in knowledge, we may not be able to make the best decisions always.
2. Know your subject matter and do your work well:
Prepare very well for each lesson. There is no substitute for lesson preparation. Put in place everything that will make your work easy. I had to study hard, use between five and seven textbooks and refer to other authors.
Be passionate about passing the knowledge across:
Good preparation will aid class control. Give your students good foundations in your subjects. Note that mediocrity is not a virtue but a vice in the community of achievers. Excellence is the word to watch out for because competition is great. I hope we know that average is an enemy.
I usually gave a lot of assignments in Geography so that when a student did all my homework by himself, he was sure to pass the WAEC exam. I also did not tell them when the next class test would take place but I told them to expect a test once a topic is concluded. We usually did so many tests during the term. I equally found out that if a child is guided and given the right atmosphere, he/she will not fail exams. The solution to failure in examinations is hard work and not cheating. The student who cheats or is helped to cheat to pass exams is being ruined gradually. Invigilate exams very well. Once the students are well taught and they can read and work through past questions, there may be no need for lesson teacher at home or elsewhere. To read hard is stressful but it is worth it.
3. Comport yourself before the students in order to earn their respect:
Do not ask students for favours. Do not cheat them or exploit them. Be a man/woman of integrity before God. Do not be indifferent to students’ misbehaviour and never engage in physical combat with students.
4. Be disciplined – have self-control:
Do not do things impulsively. Always do things that need to be done even if you do not feel like doing them. Please do not punish students for personal reasons, gain or revenge. Punishment should be meted out whenever school rules are flouted. Refrain from negative discussion about students in the staff room. Get to know what is right and do it even if you are the only one who sees it. Also, note that you do not need students’ endorsement to do the things that are right.
5. Be truthful and sincere:
When I started teaching, I learnt that ‘order’ in a community is paramount for its smooth running. So, where I saw disorder, I tried to enforce discipline within the limits of my power and authority. My sphere of influence expanded with time. I, usually, told the students that rules were to be kept so that the school could run well. Students who came across me had to button their shirts and tuck in, put on only brown sandals; enter my geography class before me. Food vendors must not sell food before break time etc. Where there were offences, they were dealt with on the spot. Discuss your challenges with colleagues with a view to finding solutions, not with a view to accuse or fault others.
6. Treat the students like your siblings or your children:
Be responsive: as much as I like to be firm and tough, I try to be sensitive to their feelings and needs e.g. when a big boy sheds tears because of two strokes of cane, I realize that there is more to it than meets the eyes. I stop and investigate. Do not humiliate a student in front of his peers. Do not do things that amount to child abuse. Try not to compare a student in a belittling manner.
Be friendly: Every teacher should be a parent and a counselor because every student needs guidance. Most teenagers do things they feel like doing not necessarily what they are sure is right.
Everyone responds positively to love. Love is not pampering/indulging a child or looking the other way when he has done a wrong thing or being permissive. The home situation of a child may affect the child’s output and disposition, so whatever comes to your notice, deal with it in the fear of God. Go the extra mile; go out of your way. Find time to talk and discuss outside the class work; tell them, educate them about real life situations. Tell them the truth about life if you know it. Encourage them to have the fear of God in their lives.
Where opportuned, help them overcome hatred, unforgiveness, malice and other negative emotions. Please, do not betray their confidence. Do not refer to their weakness when they annoy or offend you. Some teenagers have inferiority complex and need to have their self-esteem propped up or restored. Some are unstable and find it difficult to trust anyone especially if not treated fairly at home. Every teenager wants to be reckoned with; he wants to impress his peers. You may need a “conference time” to resolve issues in the class or school. Let the students talk with you.
You may need to explain your actions to him/her/them and may need to help him/her/them see how and why he/she/they are wrong. When you are wrong, either they know or not, do not hesitate to apologize. Take note of small details. A student may be physically present but absent minded. If you do not look at them when teaching, you will not know.
7. Be strict, firm and fair:
I try to follow issues to logical conclusions. Avoid preferential treatment; “what is good for the goose is good for the gander.” Be strict, get things done properly, this means that you too must obey rules set by higher authorities. I used the cane freely as I did for my biological children but I varied the punishments. When they know that you follow-through every situation to a logical conclusion, they will be careful to do the right thing in your presence. Even though they felt I was wicked, when they wanted fair judgment, they looked for me.
As you insist on doing the right things, you will step on toes but be sure God is on your side (if you are doing the right thing with the fear of God; God’s protection is sure over you). Throughout my journey as a class/subject teacher, Vice Principal and Principal, God protected me from being harmed physically. I can attest to the fact that God’s protection is real. Surely, I got a lot of threat letters, warnings and car vandalizations but no bodily harm.
A WORD FOR OUR STUDENTS:
My experience in Birch Freeman High School (BFHS) was very significant; I came in as a classroom teacher on grade level 8 and left on grade level 15 as Vice Principal having spent 14 years in the school. When I came in 1982, I was skinny and we had big boys in schools, I had not been too enthusiastic about deployment to an all-boys school. Since I believed that my steps were ordered by God, I took courage because we had heard stories about boys beating up difficult teachers. As a teacher, I observed that students who did well were those who were interested in their work. I remember some would always wait after school in the Physics or Chemistry laboratory to read and discuss.
Mr. Bright would wait behind to teach them Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography and Mathematics at no extra cost. When Mr. Bright left and Mr. Ochem came, he too was encouraged to groom our boys. Those boys were interested and took part in Science competitions where they defeated Kings’ College boys many times.
In Science Competitions: we were well known in Hembridge studies and the Jet/Young scientists’ competition. Those students put in good efforts despite the lowly home background of some of them. Notwithstanding, I recall the case of a boy whose father dropped him at about 7.30 am at the Surulere gate and he would walk through and go out at the Mushin gate and come back to enter the school a few minutes after 2 pm. to go back home with his peers. Another came to school with a small bag which contained some pieces of frozen fish and would walk past the school gate to meet his friends with whom he went to fry and eat the fish.
In BFHS, we had a good cross-section of the society and all were exposed to the same learning conditions. Those who were interested in their studies always succeeded; those who were not interested dropped either along the way or in their penultimate years. Your interest in your studies as a student is crucial, make up your mind to read and excel. I could also tell the stories of some of them who made efforts to excel. After closure from school at 2 p.m., one boy would report in his mother’s shop to work with her till about 4.30 pm, he would thereafter withdraw to a corner piece with his books. Another boy closed from school, found something to eat, played basketball for about 30 minutes and at about 4 pm would go back to the class to read when other students would have gone home. He never failed one subject. A student once told me that if his exam script was marked by anybody anywhere, even on the moon, he would score nothing less than 70%.
I want all you students here to examine yourselves. Are you interested in coming out in flying colours or you are reading just to please your parents? Why are you in school? What do you want to do with your life? You are the only one who can stop your progress. My advice to you is “read as if you will die if you do not read but you know you will not die”. Those who want to impress their friends or who want to sound tough do not go far because only empty vessels make plenty of noise. Once there is a will, there will always be a way. You may have to read a topic two or three or four times for you to score 80% even though your friend needs to read only once to score 80% – know your capability and act accordingly.
I found the following instructions useful in helping students to read:
(a) Daily, read through topics taught that day. Pick your timetable and read the last topics taught in the subjects you have the following day
(b) Do homework and assignments fully or in part depending on deadline.
(c) At weekends, read all topics taught during that week
(d) Conclude home-works and assignments; read again the last topics taught in subjects for Monday.
(e) No television till holiday time. After all, it worked for my own children; it will work for you also. I told every student who cared to listen.
Let the fear of God have a place in your life. It is only God who cannot let you down, so get to know Him and allow Him rule your life. Humility is essential for every human being, no matter your level of intelligence or how rich your parents are, you will do well to be humble. Remember, pride goes before a fall and God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
TO OUR DEAR PARENTS:
To the glory of God, he gave me the privilege to raise four children. My husband and I were to be held responsible and accountable for them. By God’s grace, we have been able to nurture and train them giving them legacies that cannot be taken from them. It is not about money. It is about being available for them and doing the right thing at the right time.
Dear parents, you have great duties toward your children. As long as God did not cleave or open the sky to drop these boys, you are accountable and responsible for them. The word for you is MONITOR. Monitor your children at school, at home, in the church or mosque, in the community and on the playground. You are responsible. Please be available, be accessible, be friendly and be principled. Do not spoil your child, make them sit down and read. Hard work does not kill. Education is always a springboard to achieving great things in life.
Finally, I would like to say that the school is a work place where I think things should be done officially and so words like mummy, mama, daddy, uncle, aunty etc should be discouraged. I would rather be greeted by students like this – “Good morning Mrs. Omowo” and I think this will go a long way in getting things done properly.
In my teaching career, I had tried to treat students either as my siblings or my children and I can tell you with all sense of responsibility that God has been my helper and sustainer. There had been difficult times but I had never been discouraged doing this job because I meet with students from time to time who say we now know better, you were not “wicked”.
I cannot end this presentation without paying tribute to my late mother; Mrs. M.Y. Ogundahunsi, a primary school teacher who single-handedly raised me and my siblings after the demise of my dad when I was 14 years old. I am the eldest amongst my siblings. She made sure that we had a good education despite her poverty. May she continue to rest in peace with Master Jesus.
I, also, thank all my Principals who tutored me on the job. Notable amongst them are Mrs. C. O. Odutola of blessed memory, Mrs. A. Adegbite, Ms. Adetoro Karunwi and Mrs. S. Sanmabo. May the Good Lord grant that you continue to receive the fruit of your labour. Amen
Thank you all for listening.
Mrs. Oluwayemisi Omowo. 6th February 2017
https://bifoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BIFOBA-National-Logo-Low-res-JPEG-1.jpg00Bifobahttps://bifoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BIFOBA-National-Logo-Low-res-JPEG-1.jpgBifoba2022-01-01 06:26:302022-01-01 06:26:33A Speech Delivered by the Guest Speaker, Ms. Oluwayemisi Omowo, During BFHS’ 57th Founders’ Day Anniversary
May the peace of the Lord continue to be with you.
I am delighted to write to you once again. I pray that this briefing meets all of you in good and perfect health. Please do me a favour. As soon as you receive this briefing, kindly forward same to other Old Boys till it gets to all Old Boys globally. Thank you.
1.00. FOUNDERS DAY – FEBRUARY 6, 2017
Gentlemen, this month the 6th to be specific, we celebrated our Alma Mater’s 57th Birthday. The event was a huge success. First of all, the ceremony took place inside our Auditorium with all the doors and windows in place. Entertainment was supplied by our students using the musical instruments supplied by us – The North American Chapter.
The preacher was one of us, Major General Paul Toun (Rtd) 1972 set.
The Guest Speaker was one of our former teachers, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Omowo who rose to become one of our Vice Principals. Call it self sufficiency if you like, but I call it the special Grace of God.
The event was well attended. I use this opportunity to thank all of you who found time to attend and remained with us from the beginning to the end. I specially thank Major General Paul Toun for accepting to deliver the Homily and for all his encouragements. Her Excellency the Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Commissioner for Education was ably represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education – Mr. Adesina Odeyemi who was amazed at the level of our commitment to our Alma Mater and wished he was one of us.
Our brothers in the UK also celebrated the event in a fantastic way. They had a thanksgiving service in a church owned and presided over by one of our own – Rev. Olu Adams who also preached the Homily. Rev. Olu Adams is of the 1971 set. I want to use this medium to thank the UK Chapter Exco for the very wonderful way they celebrated the Founder’s Day. More grease to your elbows. I advise that all Chapters should in the future celebrate our Founders Day – 6th February.
2.00. MINI STADIUM
2.01. Gentlemen, I urge you to please continue to pray for our 1992 set for God to grant them the ability to deliver on their promise to get our mini stadium ready for commissioning on the 29th of April 2017.
2.02. I am particularly impressed by the devotion, determination and the sacrifice of the 1992 set and I pray everyday that God in his infinite mercy should make our dreams to come true through the instrumentality of the 1992 set. Amen.
3.00 REWARD/APPRECIATION FOR TEACHERS/STAFF
3.01. I am pleased to inform you that we were able to reward and appreciate our teachers and non-teaching staff during the Founder’s Day. We did that to encourage them to continue with the good work that led to our Alma Mater scoring 100% in their final school certificate examination. I can safely report that they are very pleased with us. Please permit me to use this opportunity to thank all our Old Boys who made it possible for us to fulfil our plans. God bless you all.
4.00. COMPLETION OF WORK AT OUR MALE AND FEMALE TOILETS
4.01. Gentlemen, let me thank one of us. Theo Odunlami who singly sponsored our borehole. The borehole is meant to supply water to our toilet that serves the Auditorium. The truth, however, is that we still have a lot to do to bring our toilet up to standard and ready for our Home Coming. We have a quotation for N600, 000.00 to take care of this project. I hereby appeal for sponsorship. Please call me on 08023043967 or 07080378023. Thank you.
5.00. CONCRETE CESS POOL
5.01. Gentlemen, when we have a toilet in a marshy area, we must have a cess pool. If we do not, there will be no where to channel the waste. In our case, we have a toilet. We cannot run away from a cess pool where we have to channel the waste from the toilet. We have a quotation for
N650, 000.00 Exco believe sincerely that in view of the traffic we are likely to have during the Home Coming, we should tackle these two projects and complete them before the 29th of April 2017. Please discuss these two projects at your meetings and help make them a reality. Thank you.
6.00. HOME-COMING
6.01. Please refer to my earlier briefing in respect of the above. The date remains Saturday, April 29, 2017. Dinner/gate fee remains N10, 000.00 per couple. A table for 10 i.e. five Old Boys and their spouses cost N100, 000.00. This year’s Home Coming will be Set based. Please get your Sets together and pay in bulk to purchase your tables. I urge you to please pay now to enable the Home Coming Committee, to plan ahead. Please spread the news. Pay into our Zenith Bank Plc A/C No. 1010228516.
7.00. CELEBRATING SETS
7.01. The celebrating sets are 1977 (40years) 1987 (30years) and 1992 (25years). I call on 1977 and 1987 sets to put themselves together and be prepared for 29th April 2017.
8.00. ANNUAL DUES
8.01. Gentlemen of BIFOBA in Nigeria, Let me be frank with you. Our attitude to payment of dues is very sad and embarrassing. As I write, I am not sure that up to ten members have paid their dues for this Exco year. It is by the special Grace of God that we have been carrying out the little activities that we report. You will agree with me that without money, your good ideas remain in your head. I hereby plead with you to come to our rescue by paying your dues. Please pay to our Account with Zenith Bank Plc A/C No. 1010228516 and please pay in your name. Dues is N10, 000.00 per Exco year which runs from the 1st of May to the 30th of April of the next year.
9.00. STRONG SET
9.01. I encourage strong set base. If we have strong sets, that will help Exco. Sets will be able to plan together, and carry out projects that will benefit the Association. Sets will be able to collect dues on behalf of the National Body and remit same. Set meetings should not only be a forum to wine and dine. Rather, Sets should complement the National body just like the chapters are doing. Please think about this and help to move our Association forward.
10.00. INSURANCE POLICY
10.01. You still have the opportunity to partake of this policy. Please pay your premium into our Account with Zenith Bank Plc A/C No. 1010228516 and call me to confirm payment. Please pay in your name. Premium is N10, 000.00.
11.00. BLAZER
11.01. We are still working on this issue and by the Grace of God. Our Blazers would be ready before the Home Coming. Please pray for us.
12. 00. CONCLUSION
12.01. My dear brothers, once again, we thank God for making it possible for us to enter the year 2017. I pray that all of us will see the end of this year in good health and happiness. We have been able to achieve quite a lot because of our unity of purpose. I pray that we remain united because together we serve better and achieve more. Thank you for the confidence you continue to repose in me and my Exco. God bless you all. Amen.
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