…Commends School Management for Initiative
By Daniel Udo
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has commended the Management of Udoka (St Patrick’s) Nursery and Primary School, Awka, Anambra State, for the new play ground facilities provided for pupils.
Bishop Ezeokafor made the commendation on Tuesday 14th July, 2026, during the commissioning of the new play park facilities at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Catholic Diocese of Awka, Anambra State.
Speaking on the significance of the facilities, Bishop Ezeokafor emphasized the vital role of physical activity in children’s development.
’Exercise is one of the best medicines for human life and fitness,’ he said.
He cited the scripture from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, which read, “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win, every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we are an imperishable one. Thus, I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were Shadow Boxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified”.
The Bishop said they had gathered to bless the facilities for sports at the school.
’We remain grateful to those who provided the facilities, and I can see how clean and beautiful the environment is,’ Ezeokafor stated
He lauded the Manager of the school, Rev. Fr Cyriacus Ezeamaechi, teachers and everyone who had contributed immensely for the success of the initiative.
The newly commissioned play park boasts of such facilities as, bench swings, single swings and spring seesaw.
In his response, the Manager, Udoka (St Patrick’s Nursery and primary school), Rev. Fr Cyriacus Ezeamaechi, expressed his what he described as his sincere appreciation to Bishop Ezeokafor for gracing the occasion and officially commissioning the equipment.
Speaking further, Ezeamaechi, who spoke through his representative, Mrs Clarissa Obiakor, stressed that reading without playing could affect a child’s learning.
’We constructed this play ground to aid pupils’ learning. We achieved this initiative through collective effort.
’Building the facilities is one thing, maintaining them is another thing,’ he pointed out, urging pupils to use the equipment cautiously to avoid having injury and to also maintain it to last long for others to come.
For her part, the head of the pupils, Grace Angela, thanked the school Management for building a new play park for them; even as she advised her colleagues to use the facilities carefully in order not to injure themselves.
Present on the occasion were the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubisi; Assistant Secretary to the Bishop and Deputy Director of Fides Media, Rev. Fr. Constantine Okoli; the Education Secretary of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Maximus Okonkwo; the Education Secretary of Awka Region, Rev. Fr. Angelo Obiako; the Financial Administrator of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Paulinus Okonkwo; the Diocesan Bursar, Rev. Fr. Nichodamus Izuchukwu; and other priests.
Teaching staff present included, Head Teacher Mrs. Obiakor Clarissa; Nebo Ifeoma; Okafor Chioma; Nwimo Uju; Obiekwe Blessing; Ezemenike Vivian; Albert Amuche; Nworah Happiness; Nwankwo Chinweogo; Okpala Catherine; Iwino grace; Ukoha Chinenye; Okpala Catherine; Ikedimma; Oluchi; Henry C. Nzekwe; and Ozoemena Chidimma.
