By Akuma Ebere
It was a colourful blend of faith, gratitude, culture and achievement at St Michael’s Boys’ Secondary School, Eziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State, as the school community held a double celebration featuring the pastoral visit of the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye, and the Feast of St Michael, the school’s patron saint.
The colourful ceremony, held within the school premises, commenced with a Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Okoye, during which he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to some students.
The celebration also featured the graduation of outgoing students, reception of new students and blessing of their school uniforms, exhibition of students’ skills, celebration of three years of the school’s orchestra, as well as presentation of awards to students who distinguished themselves in academics and discipline.
In a joint welcome address, the management, staff and students described the occasion as epoch-making, stressing that St Michael’s Boys’ Secondary School (SMBSS) was more than just an academic institution.
“SMBSS is not merely a school, but a house of formation dedicated to shaping the minds, hearts, character and future of our students. Our school is known for discipline and academic excellence. We combine intellectual learning with skills acquisition, thereby developing and harnessing our students’ talents,” the address stated.
The school also announced plans to establish a JAMB Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre, disclosing that it currently has 100 laptops but requires an additional 100 computers to meet the target.
Speaking shortly after the ceremony, the Principal of the school, Rev. Fr. Ambrose Umeanolue, described the celebration as remarkable and fulfilling.
“There is no magic. We were formed and trained by others and when we look back and saw how it ends positively, it is the same spirit and techniques we apply to these young ones,” he said.
Fr. Umeanolue acknowledged that understanding the present generation of students could be challenging but expressed optimism that, with the resources available to the school, the best could still be achieved in the students.
He prayed for the success of the graduating students in their future endeavours and urged them to uphold the discipline and values inculcated in them during their years at SMBSS.
Tags: St Michael’s Boys’ Secondary School, Ozubulu, Bishop Jonas Okoye, Nnewi Diocese, Anambra State
