Emeka Odogwu
Odogwublog.com
Anglican
Bishop of Awka, Right Reverend Alex Ibezim, PhD, yesterday turned the sod of a
three storey building staff quarters of Bishop Crowther Seminary, (B.C.S)Awka
initiated by the Parents Teachers Association of the school led by High Chief
(Hon) Onwelukwue Aron Nwannebuike Chukwukadibia (JP).
Bishop
Ibezim also blessed the 64 Graduating students of the Seminary, gave them
B.C.S. Awka Charge book as a guide in all they do and dedicated a worship
cross they donated . He also dedicated the musical instrument (a set of band)
donated by the 2004 Old boys.
He said
the launching of his blue print was a great risk but glorified God for
actualizing the dream with the support of the other parents and members of his
executive as well as the teachers and students cooperation.
Onwelukwue
spoke during the Valedictory service/ turning of sod of Staff quarters of
Bishop Crowther Seminary Awka at Archbishop Patterson Memorial Chapel of Bishop
Crowther Seminary Awka , Diocese of Awka , Anglican Communion.
He
thanked specifically the Proprietor of Bishop Crowther Seminary, Rt.Revd
Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim Phd and wife , Mrs Martha C. Ibezim (Mama Awka) and
the principal of the school , Revd Canon Nnamdi B. Emendu PhD for their support
in actualizing his mission statement.
The
Crowther Seminary PTA Chairman reminded that he was surprised when a relatively
unknown member nominated him for PTA chairman on his first day of attending the
meeting, pointing at the Motorized Borehole and modern toilet facilities
already in use and assured that the three storey building would be ready before
next academic session to ensure students are left on their own as their current
abode would be demolished.
‘’.........the
last but not the least is the 3 storey building staff village project, which we
have assembled all the materials for easy takeoff today as evidence herein
......please see the over four thousand blocks packed herein, all sized rod,
sand and stones, cements, water tanks and binding wires etc, all available in
this school compound........having assembled all the materials and men for this
job to take off, I hereby most soberly and respectfully request our Lord Bishop
to kindly turn the sod for the edifice to take off to the glory og
God..........Amen..’’
Bishop
Ibezim in his speech extolled the sterling qualities of Chief Onwelukwue in
galvanizing the support of Nigerians in building a befitting staff quarters for
the teaching and non teaching staff of the famous seminary against all odds
,but said the building must be completed on record time as the students could
not be left alone not even for a week.
He said
his policy is not to abandon any project hence if the parents are not forward looking
to complete the structure as they promised willingly without coercion, they
should let the diocese take over and complete it before the students return by
September for new academic session.
Ibezim
said the seminary has changed more spiritually, physically and morally, hence
more parents are insisting that their children and wards be admitted in the
seminary , thus causing the students and teachers population rise necessitating
the need for new structures and better environment to accommodate all for
continued better and quality education.
The
Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese announced that new schools would be
established at Agu-Awka as new campuses of the Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka
as well as the St Paul’s University College Nibo/Nise to reduce the stress on
facilities and structures sequel to population explosion and to avoid turning
back parents who wish that their children and wards be admitted in the two
diocesan schools.
He
reminded the parents that the Seminary does not tolerate in any way any act of
cultism or immorality or same sex behaviour and does not need a panel to expel
any student caught in the act and encouraged parents to ensure they inculcate
good virtues in their children at home as the staff of the Seminary is doing
their best to ensure their children turn out their best in the society.
‘’......we
monitor the teachers and the teachers monitor the students and we are doing our
best hence the rush by many parents to ensure their children and wards study
here and that has brought competition in admission and everything
..............and soon Bishop Crowther Seminary would be the best institution
in Anambra state as testified by many parents and results we are producing as
well as the products who are scattered all over the world as good Ambassadors
of the seminary.................’’
He further
challenged the Parents Teachers Association to galvanize themselves and ensure
the staff quarters is completed ...we don’t believe in theory , but practical
implementation .....because our teachers cannot be living in tattered
environment and you want the best.....they need a more befitting environment
.............’’
He prayed
that God will magnify the graduating students of the seminary as they enter the
society and prepare for their University education and other endeavours God has
planned for them , hence they are equipped not only morally, spiritually,
academically and otherwise.
In his
remarks, the Principal of the School, Revd Canon Nnamdi B. Emendu PhD, reminded
that the 2015 academic year that started September 26th, 2014 was faced with
political, religious, health and insurgent challenges and thanked God none of
the fears disrupted the academic calendar.
Canon
Emendu commended the dedicated, committed, experienced and disciplined staff of
Bishop Crowther Seminary whom God is using effectively for the effective
running and planning of the school. He thanked the PTA led by Onwelukwue and
Old Boys led by Mr Churchill Okonkwo for their leadership qualities in support
of the institution.
He said
the SSS3 students have passed through the furnace of the institution and have
been remolded, refined and equipped with virtues very worthy of emulation in
the wider society, and he blessed them to go forth in the fear of God alone but
radiate light of integrity, transparently, honesty, diligence and all such
characters that connote good upbringing.
He
announced that the recently released JAMB result that more than 90 percent of
the SSS 3 students scored above 200 points an indication that majority
would gain admission this year as their WAEC is sure, announcing that the set
has been a landmark set and never disappointed in curriculum and extra
curriculum expeditions, competitions and activities .
He thanked
Bishop Alex Ibezim and wife Mrs Martha Ibezim for their interest, encouragement
and continued support towards the vision of the Seminary.
In his
homily, Venerable Onyinye Ilione , Bishop’s Administrative Secretary and Parish
Priest of St John’s Anglican Church, Nise, an Old Boy of the Seminary
challenged the students to ensure the lessons leant from the Seminary guide
them throughout their life time and encouraged them to ensure they are not a
disappointment to the investment by their parents and guardians as well as the
Church on them.
Performing
an induction ceremony on the graduating students , the National President of
the Old Boys Association Worldwide of Bishop Crowther Seminary Awka, Mr
Churchill Okonkwo said they should not fail Anglican Church as its Seminarians
and Ambassadors , throughout their lives. He encouraged them to look for their
old boys anywhere they are for better attention in the spirit of show the
light. He said the Old boys are doing well as they have donated white boards,
Alumaco glasses , fans and a befitting new gate as well as interlocking for the
Seminary premises hence an evidence they are proud of their alma mater.
Bishop
Ibezim gave the Seminary charge to each of the 64 graduating students out of
about 400 that were admitted with them while prizes academic excellence ,
proficiency certificate and discipline as well as character were given to
best students including the Senior Prefect Eze Ifeanyi who from year one
continued to take first position and led the school to many outside
competitions which they emerged victoriously and Chapel Prefect Ike Ifechukwu ,
the best behaved. Some of the awards were donated by Mrs Mary Basil
Orji---books and Bar Okeke Uche who donated N20,000 each for best Igbo
student in each class from year one to final year among others.