- Prelate commends Rector Fr Aniekwe for tarring school compound
By Nna Anulumadu
St Joseph’s Seminary Special Science school Awka Etiti on Tuesday, March 19, bubbled with Joy as the school staged a spectacular event to celebrate the feast of St Joseph ( their patron saint) and to receive the Chief Shepherd of Onitsha Archdiocese Most Rev Valerian Okeke who paid a pastoral visit to the school.
The event attracted priests, government functionaries, community leaders, parents and friends of the Seminary who gathered to celebrate with the school.
In his Homily during a holy mass this Kick-started the event, Archbishop Okeke called on students not to relent in embracing the culture of excellence by competing with themselves.
According to him, a student who wants to excel academically must compete with himself. ” Don’t look at those you are better than, rather, struggle and strive to work hard in order to be at the top position all the time.” He reminded them that St Joseph was a hardworking man, urging them to imitate the life style of St Joseph.
In address presented the event, the Seminary rained accolades on the Archbishop for his fatherly support to the school, disclosing that he is the brain behind the huge academic success the school is recording. They revealed that most of their products are doing marvelouslly well in different places, adding that two of their graduates are now with foreign football club in Spain.
Responding, Archbishop Okeke praised the efforts of the new Rector Fr Charles Aniekwe in transforming the Seminary, enjoining him not to relent. He recalled that at the time the government handed over schools back to mission, the St Joseph college Awka Etiti was in shambles as forest had already swallowed few dilapidated buildings at the school due to total neglect by the government. He expressed satisfaction that today, the school has bounced back to former glory. The prelate disclosed that the school which later became a Seminary was the most affordable in terms of fees , adding that it was just a token the students are paying when compared with what is obtainable elsewhere. He charged students to target making 9 As in their external examinations in order to reflect the quality and holistic education the Seminary is offering.
The rector Fr Charles Aniekwe in appreciation poured encomiums on the Archbishop for his fatherly support, encouragement and generosity to the Seminary, disclosing apart from his usual magnanimity, that he provided them with bags of rice, loaves of bread and other food materials same-day to ensure the students feed well. He thanked the teachers for their total commitment in giving the students the best of training. He also appreciated parents for believing in the Seminary, pledging that their children will get the best of formation one can think of.
The PTD chairman Mr Ilo Richmond in his remarks praised the Archbishop for visiting the school, testifying that the school is witnessing great transformation courtesy of the Archbishop, disclosing that the new rector is currently taking the seminary to an unprecedented height.
Also Mr and Mrs Sunday Aniekwe ( parents of the rector) who spoke to the press said they are happy over the great transformation the college is witnessing, praying God to grant the rector wisdom, strength of mind and body to take the Seminary to an enviable height.
Few parents including Mr Emmanuel Okoli and Mrs Ngozi Obiorah who spoke to the press expressed satisfaction over sound morals and academic prowess their wards are exhibiting at home each time they return for holidays, positing that they are lucky to have their children in that school. While expressing heart felt gratitude to the Seminary, they urged the management to sustain the tempo.
Earlier in the Mass, a good number of the seminarians received sacrament of confirmation.
Featured the event include cultural dances, parading of different types of masquerades, MOD parade, band drill, etc that spiced up the event.
.
