LSBSF alumni reward 11 First Class graduates with N500,000 each

Eleven first-class products of Baptist extraction have received a cash award of N500,00 each courtesy of the Lagos Baptist Students Fellowship (LSBSF).

The award ceremony was the highpoint of the 40^th anniversary of LSBSF during the annual Refreshing camp meeting at Shepherd Hill Baptist Church, Lagos.

Refreshing is an annual gathering of Baptist students from churches and tertiary institutions across Lagos for a week of Bible teachings, worship, drama, workshops, fellowship and spiritual renewal.

Among the awardees were graduates of various tertiary institutions in Lagos, including Olwatimilehin Olalere, a first-class Accounting graduate of the University of Lagos, and Olalade Ruth, a first-class Mass Communication graduate of the University of Lagos, who graduated with a CGPA of 4.51 in January 2026. Alumni& Reunions

Speaking on the significance of the anniversary and the awards, the National Coordinator, Student Ministries of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Adesola Adeyemi, described the 40th anniversary as an epochal milestone in the history of the fellowship.

According to him, the annual ‘Refreshing’ programme provides an avenue for Baptist students from churches and campuses to come together for spiritual growth, leadership development and fellowship. Education

“This year is epochal in the sense that this is the 40th anniversary of LSBSF and the wonderful things that the Lord has been doing in Lagos State over the years,” Adeyemi said.

He explained that the programme commenced with a leaders’ meeting and camp before progressing into Bible studies, messages, workshops, drama and other activities, culminating in the anniversary celebration.

On the recognition of the first-class graduates, Adeyemi said the fellowship had consistently promoted academic excellence among its members. Alumni& Reunions

He urged the awardees not to rest on their achievements but to see the recognition as the beginning of greater responsibilities.

“This is just the beginning of the great things that the Lord has empowered them to do. We want to encourage them to go out there and represent God well, represent their families and the churches they come from, and continue to excel on all sides,” he said.

Adeyemi also challenged young people within the Baptist family to take advantage of leadership opportunities, stressing that the church was committed to raising young people who would make meaningful contributions to society.

He said the current leadership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention had demonstrated strong commitment to youth development, noting that young people should no longer be seen merely as leaders of tomorrow but as leaders who must be equipped and given opportunities today.

President of the Lagos State Baptist Students Alumni Fellowship, Sunday Oguntola, said the award was part of the alumni body’s effort to celebrate academic excellence, godliness and commitment to Christ among Baptist students.

Oguntola said the initiative was conceived after the alumni discovered that many Baptist students were excelling academically without receiving adequate recognition.

“It occurred to us that there are a lot of our students doing brilliant work in tertiary institutions, and it appeared that we were not doing anything for them. We said that if we could not start with something else, we could start with something big,” he said.

According to him, the selection process focused on Baptist Student Fellowship members in tertiary institutions in Lagos who graduated with first-class honours and were active in their campus fellowships.

He said the initial target appeared ambitious but the alumni were able to mobilise resources to fulfil the promise.

“Some people did not believe us. Even two days ago, some of them were asking whether we were really going to give them the money or if we were only saying it to make them feel good. To the glory of God, they are receiving the cash award,” Oguntola said.

He described the N500,000 award as a token of appreciation for the graduates’ sleepless nights, academic discipline, godliness and commitment to standing for Christ.

He encouraged students who did not make the first-class category not to give up, but to continue working hard and trusting God for success. Education

For Olalere, the recognition was a testament to the value of discipline, consistency and faith.

The Accounting graduate, who finished with a CGPA of 4.6, said achieving a first class was not easy and required serious study, attention in class and effective time management.

“I want to thank God because it was not easy. It required studying well, paying attention in class and maximising my time properly. I never thought of giving up,” he said.

Olalere said he had set his sights on becoming a chartered accountant and making an impact in Nigeria’s fintech industry.

Another awardee, Olalade Ruth, said she did not enter the University of Lagos with the specific ambition of graduating with first-class honours.

The Mass Communication graduate, who works as a content writer and production assistant at Optima Limited, said she simply focused on doing her best, studying consistently and trusting God.

“I did not plan to have a first class when I was coming to the university. I just wanted to pass my examinations. I studied the way I normally did and prayed to God for success,” she said.

She attributed part of her success to the encouragement she received from her sister, who constantly urged her to give her best.