By Regina Igwebuike :
The Management and students of Mater Dei Secondary School, Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area have celebrated the 2022 graduands, gave award of excellence and raised fund for the new Science laboratory project.
The event, which took place in the school compound on Oct. 16 attracted parents, friends and well-wishers of the great cidatel of learning.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Joseph Igwebuike congratulated the graduands for making their parents and school proud by recording 99.9% in external examination.
Mr Igwebuike told the graduands that they were going into the higher level for apprenticeship, explaining that their parents and school management have given them tools, well equipped them to be better citizens.
The chairman while explaining that life is all about choices; usefulness or uselessness, enjoined them to choose the right path.
He pleaded with them not to disappoint their parents and their Alma mater during their tertiary stage, urging them to make judicious use of their time.
He commended the school management for imparting positively on the graduands, noting that all round education is a panacea to a healthy society, emphasizing that students from mission schools exhibit good characters wherever they found themselves.
“The school has given you good foundation at the early stages of your life so that you will not mess up in your later life. You are blessed to be trained by the church; so be good ambassadors of your Alma mater.
“Do not waist your time on irrelevant things, rather put lots of your energy on your studies for every minute you spend on your books means a lot.”
Mr Igwebuike stressed on human capacity development, calling on parents, government, lovers of quality education to donate generously toward the new science laboratory project for the good of the children “the tomorrow that is here with us today”.
The Principal of the School, Rev. Sr. Uzonna Orakwue in her farewell address said that it was a very tough task and a difficult journey pruning the graduands through their childhood and adolescence stages to what they were presently, expressing happiness that they were able to impact on them positively.
Sr. Orakwue announced that the graduands made their WAEC results, praying that these excellent results begin their success stories and remain a starting point of many future testimonies yet to be accomplished in their lives.
While noting that life is full of challenges, she advised them never to give up, rather to continue to go ahead having strong confidence and believe in themselves.
“It is your belief, courage, patience and hard work that would lead you ahead and give you bright future.
“I strongly believe that going by the values inculcated in you by the school management, you will surely overcome every obstacle by the grace of God.”
She enjoined the graduands to always see themselves as good ambassadors of Mater Dei Secondary School and never allow selfish interest to blemish the integrity they have nurtured over these years in this great noble school.
The principal charged them to always remember the ‘Divine love’ the school inculcated in them; be kind and good to people they meet on their way up and use their power to make others happy and not sad.
“Allow the word of God to guide you as you journey to greatness. Think big thoughts and be optimistic in whatever you are doing. The future according to Eleanor Roosevelt belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
“Never surrender to any bad situation and keep strong belief in yourself. Go and earn name, fame, greatness and come back to us to tell us your success stories. My good wishes are always with you and the blessings of your Alma mater will go with you.
“We are sending you as Mater Dei ambassadors to the four walls of the university, your families, marital homes and the society at large to showcase the high standard of morality and academics which distinguished you from your equals.
“Remember that the obligation you owe yourself, your family and your Alma mater, which you represent is to apply the moral principles and the knowledge you have acquired to the challenges awaiting you in the future.
“I wish you good relationships, amazing experiences and happy adventure. Keep in touch with your Alma mater, attend our programs and keep us updated with your good and bad moments of your lives.”
The principal lighted candles and presented them to the graduands as a symbol of light to always remember that they are Mater Dei ambassadors and to continue to be the light for others to see wherever they found themselves.
Sr. Orakwue thanked the teachers of the graduands for playing indispensable roles in their holistic formation, praying God to reward them abundantly.
She also thanked the parents and guardians for their financial commitments toward the students and the school, praying that the graduands will bring blessings and not disappointment to them.
While thanking the chairman and his wife for their love toward the school, the principal urged the rest of the students to emulate the strength of the graduands and to improve in their weaknesses.
The principal in a special way thanked the outgone Vice Principal, Rev. Sr. Christabella Ugwu, noting that her short stay in the school was impactful, bidding her farewell.
She prayed God to grant all present journey mercies back to their respective destinations.
Ms Ijeoma Nwankwo, the outgoing Senior Prefect said that words are not enough to express her gratitude to God for making them to witness this awaited day, thanking him also for his protection and providence.
Ms Nwankwo commended the school management and teachers for nurturing them, praying that their labour would not be in vain here and hereafter.
She extolled the Principal, Sr. Orakwue who she described as a sweet mother, a woman of steel with the sense of organization and neatness, thanking her for her relentless effort to seeing that the vision of the school is achieved in their lives, asking God to continue to strengthen her.
The outgoing senior prefect who won the overall best students award urged the present school functionaries to always do the right thing and serve as role models to their subjects.
Speaking to her fellow graduands, she enjoined them to stand firm and behave themselves, striving hard to achieve their goals to the full potential.
She commended the efforts and doggedness of the parents for seeing them through financially and otherwise, praying God to replenish their pockets.
The Chairman, Parent Teachers Dialogue (PTD), Mr Nwabueze Muotuanya on behalf of the association presented a sendforth package to Rev. Sr. Christabella Ugwu the outgone Vice Principal.
He also on behalf of PTD, presented a token to the outgoing senior prefect for emerging the overall best students, urging others to emulate her.
Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, a professor of Law at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka thanked God for the successful celebration, urging the graduands to keep the flag flying even as he enjoined the rest of the students to be studious.
He prayed that God would lead all safely back to their destinations.
Cutting of send-off cake and cultural dance display added glamour to the event.
