By Nna Anulumadu
The Chief Shepherd of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Grace Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, last Saturday, December 7th, 2024, praised the manager, management, staff, and students of Our Lady’s Secondary School Nnobi for achieving academic excellence.
The prelate, who is also the proprietor of the college, poured the accolades during his pastoral visit to the school. He expressed joy that the college has bounced back to its former glory after years of poor management by the government that took over at the end of the Nigeria civil war.
He commended the efforts and sacrifices of the management led by Fr. Vincent Nwanosike, describing the school as “admirable, great, and exemplary.” The Archbishop also congratulated the college for winning the World Challenge Trophy last year and for other academic laurels the school garnered recently.
Earlier in his homily, the proprietor urged the college not to relent in embracing the culture of excellence and ongoing improvement, which can translate into the finest and highest quality. He enjoined students to have a dream, set achievable goals, get a mentor for guidance, plan well, persevere, and back it up with prayers in order to excel at the end by graduating with 9 A’s.
He assured those who may get 9 A’s in WAEC of a full university scholarship in any university of their choice. The college, in a welcome address shortly after the Mass, expressed unalloyed gratitude to the Archbishop for visiting them, testifying that his unflinching support, advice, and encouragement have taken the college to an enviable height.”
In welcome address, the college expressed unalloyed gratitude to the Archbishop for his unflinching support, encouragement. The address highlighted the school’s achievements which includes emerging First place in Southeast techno -novation challenge, adding that their college was shortlisted among top schools in Nigeria and later represented Africa in the global competition.
Rev. Fr. Vincent Nwanosike, school manager, in a speech rained encomiums on the Archbishop, describing him as good Chief Shepherd by every definition, adding that the academic excellence and laurels the school is celebrating is signs of culture of excellence the Archdiocese is championing. “Our Lady’s Secondary School is now a hub of academic excellence and sound character.”
He appreciated INKWELL Foundation China for sponsoring the competition that has greatly assisted the students in embracing the culture of excellence.
Also, the school principal Mrs Eunice Mmodu who spoke to Trinitas Newspaper expressed profound gratitude to the Archbishop for visiting, stating that he is satisfied over the level of academic success the college is recording, assuring parents that the tempo would be sustained. She praised the school manager Fr Nwanosike for his doggedness and sincere commitment in taking the college to unprecedented height.
The traditional ruler of Nnobi HRH Igwe Nick Obi who spoke to the press eulogized the college for academic prowess, stating that the college feats is attracting fame to the town.
Also, the special adviser to governor Chukwuma Soludo Dr. Nelson Omenugha in his view described the college as a center of academic excellence . He expressed happiness that the college has set academic pace.
