Speeches

Golden Jubilee Anniversary Of Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Lagos

Feb 6, 2010 - Let me start my remarks by making references to some quotations that set the tone for our event today. Someone says "Train everyone lavishly, you can't overspend on training" and of course the holy book says "train up a child in the way he should go and when he grows up he will not depart from it". Obviously, the founding fathers of this great school must have been motivated by some of those timeless truths. For those who have passed through Birch Freeman High School, the tradition of excellent training, and training in excellence has always been the core value of this great School. I will always trace the foundation for whatever successes or achievements I have recorded in life to my formative period as a student in Birch Freeman High School. It is, therefore, my pleasure to welcome you all to the golden jubilee celebration of our alma mater "Birch Freeman High School" where we were nurtured in the highest standards of social responsibility and dignity of labour according to the school's valued motto "Trained for Duty and for Thee".

I am very happy to see in our midst, many of our "Old Boys" who have contributed immensely to the development of our Country in diverse ways, in the Academia, Government, Business & Finance, Healthcare, Armed Forces, Law Enforcement, Agriculture and in other human endeavours. What gladdens my heart most is seeing the shining faces of our "Young Boys" who are being motivated by what we have been able to do for our community and for ourselves. I am sure that this is a challenge and a tradition that they have to uphold in the future.

Oh, how time flies; just a few years ago, we were all students in this same institution imbibing the tradition and culture that has nurtured us into who and what we are today. The call to reflect and look back on the journey so far has been captured in the theme for this celebration "Trained for Duty and for Thee. How well?". This is another opportunity for us to look inwards and think of ways by which we can add value to our community and people."

I am happy to observe that activities slated for the week-long celebration are anchored on community service and good neighbourliness which are hallmarks of tradition in" the Birch Freeman High School.

At this period in our lives, we should reach out to the less privileged and the needy in our community and put smiles on their faces. We should look beyond the events slated for the week-long celebration and adopt a personal commitment to the theme adopted for this occasion. Let us reach out to people in our neighbourhood and assist indigent families, by sponsoring their children through school or by donating much needed school furniture to schools in our locality. We have come a long way from when we were young and impressionable students moving from one classroom to the other under the watchful tutelage of our teachers then. And I am personally gratified with the smiles of happiness and contentment dancing on the faces of those of our "Old Principals and Teachers" who have come to celebrate with us. I am sure that they must be having that sense of fulfilment we have all turned out as good ambassadors of the "Birch Freeman High School".

I will, therefore, urge the present crop of "Young Boys" to imbibe the tradition of service and excellence for which Birch Freeman High School is noted. In fact, I will not only challenge you to emulate them but also surpass, the "achievements of your predecessors. You are the future of our Nation and it is your responsibility to keep the flag aloft.

Today, also, marks the flag-off ceremony for the next fifty years of development in the history of Birch Freeman High School and I urge all "Old Boys" present at this occasion to contribute to the development of our Alma Mater by endowing academic and non-academic awards in various subjects. By that demonstration of good sense social responsibility we shall further motivate our young students to continue in the best tradition of our School.

At this juncture I will commend the efforts of the Executive Committee of the Birch Freeman High School Old Boys Association (BIFOBA), especially Members of the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee for sacrificing their time to package a week-long ceremony with events that reflect the time-honoured tradition of Birch Freeman High School. Also, I am grateful to our former Principals, Teachers and Non-Academic Staff who are present to celebrate with us. I thank you for your efforts invested in us years ago and which has contributed into what we are today.

I thank all "Old Boys" and their Family Members for finding time to partake in the events slated for the 50th Anniversary celebration of our Alma Mater. And to the "Young Boys", I urge you to stand firm and be good ambassadors of your families and Birch Freeman High School.

I thank you all for your attention and God bless.

Eko o Ni Baje o!

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Executive Governor, Lagos state