Hon. Casmir, principal and others at Ojiako Memorial school Adazi Ani
By Akuma Ebere
Ojiako Memorial Grammar School, Adazi-Ani in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State came alive on March 6, 2026, as students, parents, community leaders and education stakeholders gathered for the school’s 2026 inter-house sports competition.
Hon. Oselu with some students
It was a colourful event that blended athletics, community support and renewed commitment to education.
The event, organised in conjunction with the Anambra State Post Primary School Service Commission (PPSSC), was chaired by Chief Basil Ozor (Eyisi Nwabuluome of Adazi-Ani), while dignitaries from across the community and State graced the occasion.
In her welcome address, the Principal of the school, Mrs Ikejiofor Celestina Adaobi, described the event as a celebration of unity, discipline and excellence among students.
“Today’s theme, Excellence in Motion, is not merely a phrase but a declaration of what this school stands for, ”she said.
“Excellence is not a destination we arrive at and rest. It is a habit , a daily commitment to doing our best in the classroom, on the sports field, in our homes and in our community.”
The Principal noted that the inter-house sports competition provides an opportunity to discover hidden talents among students and build character traits such as resilience, leadership and teamwork.
“One of the most remarkable things about sports is how it reveals qualities in our students that are not always visible during the normal school day. On the sports ground, quiet students become energetic supporters, struggling learners discover athletic abilities and leaders emerge,” she said.
Mrs Ikejiofor also reflected on the school’s legacy, noting that Ojiako Memorial Grammar School had grown into a respected institution through the sacrifices of visionary founders, dedicated teachers, supportive parents and successful alumni.
She urged students to see the competition as preparation for life’s larger challenges.
“The discipline you exercise here, the focus you maintain under pressure and the way you respond to both success and disappointment are rehearsals for the larger competitions of life,” she told the students.
The principal expressed appreciation to several individuals and organisations who have supported the school in recent years.
Among them were Chief Sir Cyril Okoye (Ezeani Adazie of Adazi-Ani), who repaired and refurbished an abandoned school bus; Hon. Chief Gerald Ozoh Mmili Anaocha, who renovated the administrative block; the 2006 Alumni Association, which donated sports wears to students, and the Neni Deanery Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), which paid WAEC fees for ten students in 2025 and 2026.
Others recognised included Chief and Lolo Alphonsus Ezeh for donating exercise books and stationery for academic awards, Hon. Rome Ibekwe, Mayor of Anaocha, who provided school bags for indigent students and donated a whiteboard to the school, as well as house patrons and community supporters.
Despite the progress recorded, the principal highlighted several pressing needs of the school, including fencing of the school compound for security, provision of computers for external examinations, construction of a larger hall for social functions, landscaping to control erosion, provision of pipe-borne water, improved student toilet facilities and repair of the school bus.
Speaking during the event, former councillor of Anaocha Local Government Area, Hon. Casmir Oselu, said he attended the ceremony in a dual capacity representing both the Adazi-Ani Town Union and the youth of the community.
“I am here to represent the Adazi-Ani Town Union led by Prof. Obikwelu Okonkwo, and at the end of the event we supported the school financially,” he said.
He added that the youth of the community also made contributions towards the welfare of students.
“Together with colleagues such as Comrade Chukwuma Eyisi, Mr. Tochukwu Chindo and Lady Ozioma Ezeh, we represented the youth of Adazi-Ani. We pledged to sponsor the Junior WAEC fees of two students and the Senior WAEC fee for one student,” he stated.
Oselu further disclosed that members of the community also rewarded academic excellence among students.
“We represented Nwaweluozor House, while Adaejiejemba through us presented envelopes to the best students from JSS1-3 and SS1-3,” he said.
He also noted that the Chidera Age Grade of Adazi-Ani, led by Mr. Tochukwu Chindo, paid examination fees for indigent students in JSS3 and SS3 classes.
Assessing the event, Oselu commended the school management for what he described as an impressive organisation and commended other house owners like Anah, Eziafakaego and many other houses that participated.
“I give the school management about 80 percent for the organisation of this event. It is a massive and eye-popping ceremony,” he said.
He also praised the Governor of Anambra State ,Prof.Charles Chukwuma Soludo for improving staffing in the school.
“For more than ten years, we suffered from shortage of teachers in this school. But what I am seeing now shows that things have improved greatly because the governor has deployed a good number of teachers here,” he said.
Oselu also acknowledged the renovation of some school facilities by Hon. Chief Ikechukwu Gerald Ozoh and various house owners, describing the efforts as a demonstration of the community’s spirit of giving back to society.
Advising the students, he urged them to take their education seriously.
“I was once a student like them. They must be studious and focused so that they can graduate with good grades and become useful not only to their families but to the society at large,” he said.
The Inter-House Sports Competition featured track and field events, cheering competitions and displays of house spirit among students, drawing enthusiastic participation from the school community.
Closing the ceremony, the principal wished all competing houses success while reminding students that the true essence of the competition goes beyond winning.
“May the best house win, but more importantly, may every student leave this sports ground today a better person than when they arrived. That is the true measure of success, ”she said.
