WELCOME ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT, BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL SHAKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA (BHSSAANA), MR SUNDAY M. ADEGBOLA
At the 12th BHSSAANA Convention
Held in Houston, Texas on August 15-17th, 2025.
Members of the Executive of our Association, Fellow Alumna/Alumnae and Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, It is both a profound honor and a great pleasure to stand before you today as the President of our esteemed Association—the Baptist High School Saki Alumni Association of North America (BHSSAANA). Every time I find myself among fellow alumni, a flood of cherished memories returns—reminders of the formative years we spent at the great Baptist High School Saki. While time will not permit me to recount them all, I ask for your gracious understanding if any significant recollections go unmentioned. Today, with immense joy and deep gratitude to God, I welcome you to our first post-pandemic gathering and the 12th National Convention of our Association. These reunions are more than just social events—they are opportunities to reconnect with the community that shaped us, and to reflect on how the education and life experiences we gained at BHS Saki have empowered us in our various endeavors. Your presence here today is a testament to your unwavering commitment to the growth and development of our Alma Mater. In fact, our actions today embody the very essence of the word “alumni,” which means “to nourish.” Baptist High School Saki nourished us—and now, it is our turn to nourish her. I commend each and every one of you for the sacrifices you continue to make for the upliftment of our beloved school. Let me also pay heartfelt tribute to the founding fathers of our Alumni Association, and especially to those who laid the foundation for our North American Chapter. Their vision and dedication created this unique platform through which we can give back meaningfully. That we are gathered here today—despite the challenges of an increasingly unstable political, social, and economic climate—is a testament to our collective resolve and passion. Distinguished guests, this year marks the second year of our administration’s second term. I am proud to report that, with the support of capable and committed leaders, we have met—and in many cases exceeded—your expectations. Our meetings are timely and efficient, information is shared swiftly, and we have maintained a high level of support for our members. Our scholarship program awarded a total of ₦850,000 to twenty-two outstanding students at BHS Saki—an accomplishment we are proud of. We have also extended moral and financial support to deserving members of our community. Membership drives continue to yield positive results, with new members joining us as recently as last week. I extend my sincere appreciation to our executive team for their dedication and tireless service. As I’ve said before, the future of this Association is bright—provided we sustain our enthusiasm and commitment. I recognize the additional demands this organization places on us: our time, our resources, and above all, our unwavering dedication. We are in our twentieth year as an organization. Twenty years is a significant milestone in the life of any organization. It is a time for reflection, for evaluating our goals, learning from our missteps, and charting a path forward. We have no excuse not to make this Association the very best it can be. To accelerate the implementation of our programs and projects, I urge each of us to honor our financial commitments through the prompt financial contributions. Let us remember what we do today becomes the legacy of tomorrow. As proud products of BHS Saki, our personal histories are incomplete without mention of our Alma Mater. Let us, within the limits of our God-given resources, give back to the school that gave us so much. May the Lord, in His infinite mercy, continue to bless and enrich us all. Finally, I am pleased to share that our Alma Mater continues to distinguish herself in academic and co-curricular activities across the state and surrounding regions. Her performance in national examinations and major competitions remains exemplary, as the following highlights will show:- 1st Place – ANCOPPS Quiz Competition (Local and State Level)
- 2nd Place – ANCOPPS South-West Zonal Quiz Competition
- 1st Place – Essay Competition, Saki West Local Government
- WAEC Results: The school maintains an upward trajectory in performance, especially in core subjects like Mathematics, English language, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Literature in English, Government, Financial Accounting etc.
- True to its mission of holistic education, Baptist High Schools fosters cultural awareness, leadership, and social responsibility through regular school-wide events, including:
- Cultural Day: A colorful celebration of cultural heritage and traditions, promoting cultural pride and identity among students.
- Social Events and Clubs: Students actively participate in a wide range of Clubs and Societies, debates, talent-shows, and inter-house competitions that help build confidence and trust
- Similarly, I am delighted to inform you that some of our Alumni back in Nigeria whom God has put in positions of influence at National and State levels are executing some projects in the school.