By Michael Nnebife and RA Yakubu Wise
The Principal and Manager, St Michael’s Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State, Rev Fr Dennis Uche Nwabueze, has bagged the Anambra Man of the Year, AMTY, Award as the best School Administrator in the state in 2024.
The Chairman, Planning Committee, AMTY Awards, 4th Edition, Mrs Amaka Ezeno said, the award was to recognize and honour distinguished service, dedication, commitment and exceptional leadership styles of Rev Fr Nwabueze and those of others that were also honoured along with him.
Mrs Ezeno, who said the AMTY Award initiative was designed to inspire, motivate, and recognize brightest individuals in Anambra State, and foster a culture of excellence within the state and beyond, noted that Fr Nwabueze and the other AMTY Award recipients, had demonstrated exceptional commitment in their fields.
‘Their work had a profound effect on our community, and, like we need food, water and shelter, the awardees need to be acknowledged for their efforts,’ Ezeno said.
‘Your hard work, innovative thinking, and selflessness have propelled you to the apex of your respective domains and earned you a place among the best in Anambra State.
‘You are shining examples of what can be achieved through unwavering determination, indomitable spirit, unparalleled talent a commitment to excellence,’ she told the award recipients.
Congratulating them, Mrs Ezeno enjoined the award recipients to allow the recognition, fuel their ambitions and inspire them to reach even higher pinnacles.
Speaking with Fides, Fr Nwabueze expressed happiness for receiving the prestigious award, which, he said, came unexpectedly.
‘I didn’t see this award coming, but I feel very happy for at least the little work I have been doing is recognized by not just those inside, but also the world at large,’ Nwabueze said, and revealed to Fides what earned him the award.
‘I, with my team, have been working daily to see to the progress and growth of our school; to see that things will keep on changing for better; and we are seeing the results in our students, as they keep on growing and achieving greatness on daily basis,’ Nwabueze said.
‘We offer off all we have, financially, our energy and anything that we have for the growth of our school,’ the Principal continued, and expressed readiness to put more effort to ensure greater improvement and progress of his school.
The award-winning principal thanked the Proprietor of his school and the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, for giving him the opportunity to be serving as a principal; and the Education Secretaries of the Diocese, led by Rev Fr Maximus Okonkwo, for their support he said he enjoyed.
He extended his gratitude to a former Education Secretary of the Diocese, Rev Fr Hilary Nwajiagu, whom, he said, inspired him for this work; his predecessor, Rev Fr Walter Okafor; his assistants, past and present, Rev Frs Calistus and Damian, for their support; his classmates, Awka/Ekwulobia Diocesan Priests of 2015, and the organizers of the AMTY awards, for recognizing his service.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Chike Obidigbo, highlighted the significance of the award, which, he said, lay not only in the recognition itself, but also in the inspiration it provided to others.
He congratulated the award recipients and urged the mammoth crowd of guests to allow the achievements of the award recipients motivate them to strive for greatness and make a positive impact in Anambra and the world at large.
For her part, a keynote speaker for the AMTY Award Ceremony, Prof Cecilia Amaoge Eme, of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, emphasized the need for parents of Igbo extraction to inculcate the use of the Igbo Language in their children.
Special presentation by Masters WICO Choral, Onitsha, and Egwuobi Cultural Dance Group, Umuoji, added glamour to the Awards Ceremony which took place at the Stanel Dome, Awka, on Saturday, 22nd March, with the theme, ”Gbakotanu Ka Anyi Dozie Obodo Dike”.
Thirty-three individuals, who included the Chairman, Board of Directors, Keystone Bank Plc, Lady Ada Chukwudozie; and a former Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Charles Esimone; as well as 12 institutions, were honoured for their respective distinguished excellent services to society in the epoch-making event.