Obasanjo walks 18km to celebrate 100 years of alma mater
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo played the role of a senior prefect as old and current students of his alma mater Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta embarked on an 18-kilometre walk on Monday, January 16 to celebrate the institution’s centenary.
The 85-year-old is heard in videos recorded during the walk telling the students to “form three lines”.
The national president of BBHS old boys’ association Prof. Kayode Oyesiku led the walk.
They sang the school‘s anthem, among other songs, as they walked through Oke Egunya, Igbore, Oke-Igbein and the palace of Oba Omolade, at Omida.
The journey also took them through Isale Ake, Adatan and Kugba Road before entering the rehabilitated Saje Road into the school premises.
Hundreds of Abeokuta residents praised Obasanjo and echoed his name for his prowess, energy and endurance to embark on the walk despite his age.
Among those who hosted Obasanjo and his team were the Olu Ibara of Ibara, Oba Jacob Omolade; a former Minister of Finance, Onolapo Soleye; and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.
Obasanjo became a student at Baptist Boys’ High School in 1952 and his fees were partly paid by state grants because of his poor background.
He wrote his secondary school leaving exams in 1956 having borrowed money to pay the entry fees.
Unable to afford university education, he joined the army in 1958 and would go on to become Nigeria’s military head of state from 1976 to 1979.
He returned as civilian president from 1999 to 2007.
