Historical Trend
Through the years of Baptist Mission in Nigeria since about 1855, church activities at every age level were mixed with particular reference and attention paid to spiritual growth of church members and new converts. Activities of Baptist youth were restricted to the Baptist Youth Peoples Union Training Scheme later sub-planted by the Baptist Training Union, which was a training scheme for Baptist young people.
Further into the history of Baptist Youth Organization, we must go back to Lagos, where several attempts were made at several times to establish a youth organization. The first Baptist Church, 24A Broad Street Lagos played a leading role in getting the Baptist Youth organized.
The then Church Pastor, Late Rev. Dr. J.T. Ayorinde in consultation with the Church Executive Committee, granted that youths be allowed to organize themselves and plan youth activities.
In 1958, the youths of the church came together as a youth organization and since then youths were allowed to execute youth programmes including youth week activities.
At association youth meetings, youths from the First Baptist Church Lagos continued to shine in the activities held from time to time. Notable active officers were names like Bro. Abel Oketola, Bro. Odukoya, Deaconess F.O. Iyanda, Mrs. Ajomale Adedayo, Bro. Noah Ola Iyanda, Bro. Jide Ayuba, Mr. Oladipo Ayorinde, Mr. Gbola Olagbade, Mr. Kunle Oshodi and Deacon Oguntokun (Now a Reverend) in early 60s.
In the 70s, were names like Bro. M.O. Ojo, Bro. Victor Adesina, Mrs. Margaret Titi Ilori (Nee Ojo), Mr. Tunji Cole, Mr. Simeon Ola Ojo, Mr. Segun George, Mr. Ezekiel Titilola, Mrs. Bose Balogun, Mrs. F. George, Mr. Adeitan Odutan, Mr. Dayo Oladipo, Deacon Tunji Oladipo, Mr. Doyin Odusanya, Late Mr. V.A. Maye, Late Segun Folaranmi, Late Miss Bolaji Folaranmi, Mrs. Shade Koleosho and others.
In the 80s, were names like Late Deacon Adewunmi Adesesan, Late Dokun Abioye, Late Demola Adeyemo, Late Segun Adeyemo, Mr. Bode Idowu, Dn. Enahoro David, Mr. Kehinde Amao, Mr. David Olaleye, Mr. Tunde Adebari, Mr. Michael Awolade, Mr. Jide Akande, Mr. Tunde Macaulay, Mrs. Funke Adesesan, Sis. Joke Ade-Nash, Mrs. Yemisi Folaranmi and others.
In the 90s, were names like Toye Odewunmi, Ayoola Ajekigbe, Tunrayo Bode-Idowu, Debo Ojo, Aderibigbe Olaniyan, Lara Adebari (Nee Odusanya), Bunmi Danmola (nee Allison), Dapo Ojo and others.
In this millennium, are names like Seyi Idowu, Dimeji Iyanda, Popoola Matthew, Tokunbo Iyanda, and others.
At the national level, it was at the First Baptist Church Lagos that the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference was initiatied on June 20, 1972. The Nigerian Baptist Convention youth conference was inaugurated on Thursday, 3rd August 1973. At the end of this inauguration, Mr. Noah Ola Iyanda was elected the first national youth secretary and he was also privileged to be elected the first vice-chairman (Africa) of Baptist World Youth Department.
The current crop of Youths thriving at the local, Association, Conference, and even the national Convention level includes but not limited to ‘Shola Adedeji Awotula, who was the immediate past President of the First Baptist Church Youth Fellowship, and current President of both the J.T. Baptist Youth Association, and the Lagos Central Baptist Youth Conference, besides being the Chairman of Strategic Planning at the National Convention level; Damilola Alaba, the current president of the Youth Fellowship, Olushola Adekunle, Vice President and also the PRO of the Lagos Central Baptist Youth Conference, Segun Mamora, Secretary of the Fellowship and Evangelism Secretary of The J.T. Baptist Youth Association; Oluwafisayo Amobi, current Treasurer of the Fellowship and Treasurer of the J.T. Baptist Youth Association. Others include Anu Alaba, Jide Ajagbe, Aderinsola Adekoya, Tobi Omotosho, Seyi Akinwumi, and many others who are trailing the blaze set by the pioneers of previous years.
The “Motto” of the youth fellowship is “Heaven’s Light Our Guide.” The fellowship is committed to its aims and objectives with a particular emphasis on promoting spiritual, moral and social activities among its members.
