… As Bishop Ezeokafor Confirms over 200 Students
St. Michael’s Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nimo, last Sunday, 29 October celebrated its 60 years Anniversary in grandeur. The school which is located in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, marked the event with an array of activities that brought together priests, students, friends of the school, colleagues, and well-wishers.
The celebration began with a solemn Pontifical Mass officiated by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus C. Ezeokafor, in the School premises.
During the Mass, the Catholic Clergy celebrated the students and teachers of the school, both living and dead, who had made significant contributions to the school’s growth and development. Bishop Ezeokafor also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on 236 students of the great citadel of learning.
During the homily, the Catholic prelate called on Catholic faithful to live a life that portrayed love, saying that confessing love was not enough as most Christians lived a live that was far from it.
‘God is love, that was the reason he gave his only son to die for our sins,’ he said.
The climax of the event was the presentation of awards to the school’s best graduating students and major donors. The awards were given to those who had shown exemplary academic performance and had helped to support the school in various ways.
Cutting of the Diamond Jubilee Cake and cultural dance performances were major highlights of the event.
The celebration was not only to commemorate the school’s the 60th anniversary, but also an opportunity to show appreciation to the people who had contributed to the school’s development. It was a moment to reflect and appreciate the hard work and dedication that had gone into making the institution what it is today.
Fides recalls that St. Michael’s Model Comprehensive School, Nimo, recently produced one of the students that represented Nigeria at Malaysia for an International Debate Competition and was not just declared the best speaker at the debate but won the trophy for Nigeria.
Furthermore, the college, has proven to be a worthy institution in Nigeria’s Educational sector. With 60 years of existence, the school has impacted many lives through quality education and the anniversary celebration was an indication of bigger things to come.
Reacting to the development, Rev. Fr. Denis Nwabueze, Manager of the school, who spoke to Fides, briefly after the ceremony, thanked Bishop Ezeokafor and everyone who attended the event.
He said, ‘Our students will continue to make the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Anambra State and Nigerian proud. He added that he was feeling fulfilled that the Diamond Jubilee was a huge success. He attributed the success of the event to God, the Planning Committee, led by his Assistant Manager, Rev. Fr. Callistus Nworgu, the teachers and students of the school.
In an interview with some of the old boys of St Michael’s Model Comprehensive Secondary School shortly after the warm reception, Prof Emmanuel Onwubaya, who served as the Senior Prefect of the school during his time, Sir Samuel Otuba Chikeluo, the Deputy National Vice President of old boys of the school and Barrister Judge Akpamgbo, President of 1990 set, thanked God for the privileges to witness the 60 Years Anniversary of St Michael’s and the bishop for deeming it necessary to come and bless the students and the entire people of Nimo.
They also urged the Management and the students of the school to keep up the work they were doing.
‘It wasn’t easy on us then but we are enjoying the whole thing now as the old boys, we will always support you to make sure you get the best education as a group and individuals,’ he said.
In the same vein, Sir Charles Ifeanyichukwu Okulu, who represented the Chairman of the Occasion, and who is also the Chairman of the Planning Committee, thanked God for the success of the event.
He said, ‘I feel elevated that the bishop honoured the event that I am chairing, that was why I said during the opening remarks that since the bishop is here and his name is Paulinus, obi anyi nile ga bu Paulinus Paulinus rukwu mgbe anyi ga ala be anyi.
‘And for the planning of this event it was not easy at all. I never slept for one day because initially, most of the members were lackadaisical but picked up as time went and we all are happy for the success of this day and I pray that God who knows how to reward will reward all that contributed to the success of the event.’
