By Princely Onyenwe, Imo
Remembering where one started his journey, academically, spiritually or public is a thing of proud and that was what His Excellency Professor Placid Njoku just did to encourage the young student of St. Columba’s college Amaimo at this auspicious occasion.
Information revealed to 9News Nigeria in owerri has it that ST. COLUMBA’S COLLEGE AMAIMO ROLLS THE DRUMS FOR IMO DEPUTY GOVERNOR AND DESCRIBES HIM AS A PRODUCT OF GRACE.
Thursday, the 7th day of January 2021 will ever remain indelible in the life of the State Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku as it was the day he was gloriously taken back to his root and received in a grand style.
Speaking with the media aide Joy Opara, the occasion was the historic home coming of the deputy governor to his Alma mater as organized by the management, staff and students of the college.
Preaching a homily at a Holy Mass that preceded the ceremony, the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony J. V Obinna who officiated the mass compared the home coming of the deputy governor to that of Jesus Christ to Nazareth, recalling the biblical question, “can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
Archbishop Obinna who reiterated that the journey of a thousand miles, begins with one serious step, noted that it was the formation Prof. Njoku received at St. Columba’s college that helped him all through his course in life.
The prelate however stated that at a time when our leaders have abused and lowered the standard and importance of education, and a time when leaders with low or no quality education have occupied the seats of power, he is proud to
Identify with prof. Njoku whom he said earned his degrees and positions by dint of hard labour and not by malpractice or certificate forgery.
Archbishop Obinna who told the students that their behaviour today will determine their future, charged them to stand by the best standards no matter the corrupt level of the leaders borrowing a leaf from the life of Prof. Placid Njoku.
In his speech, the celebrant, Prof. Placid Njoku who gave a testimony of his humble beginning, said he came into St. Columba’s college in the year 1960, and from there, rose to greater heights.
Prof. Njoku described his success in life as a great privilege and as a result of hardwork and humility. He told the students to remain focused and resilient even in the face of challenges as it is only them that can stop themselves from succeeding.
Presenting an address, the Principal of St. Columba’s College, Amaimo, Rev. Fr. Maxwell Berechi disclosed that the occasion was conceived to give honour to one of their own who has been blessed and highly lifted by providential grace to the status of the number two of the state.
Fr. Berechi also noted that the ceremony also intented to evoke a nostalgic reminiscence of the humble beginning of a great icon and to stir up hunger and desire among the present generation of students to toe same route of hardwork and dedication in achieving honour and greatness.
Delving into the life of the deputy governor, the principal hinted that as a student, Prof. Njoku had a great passion for learning and had exceptional feats during his time, a time he described as” The Glorious Days of Education”.
The priest however expressed displeasure that those era of glorious education has disappeared with the government take over of schools marked by abandonment, moral decadence, decay of school structures and facilities which resulted in low quality output.
Speaking, the state Commissioner for Education, Prof
B. T. O Ikegwuoha promised that under his watch and the leadership of the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Imo will return to becoming the premier education state in the country and made a donation of about 500 international books to the school.
In his vote of thanks, the Director of Education, Owerri Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Bethran Ujunwa stressed that the role the Catholic/ Mission schools play in the formation of children can never be underrated in terms of quality and functional education and gave kudos to the Archbishop for maintaining that standard in the Archdiocese.
Other Priests at the occasion were the Chancellor and Secretary of Owerri Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Oha, the Parish Priest of St. Columba’s Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Joseph Enyiaka and others.
Others in the Entourage of the deputy governor include: the Commissioners for Agriculture, Dr. Lambert Olisakwe, Intrepreneurship Development, Sir. Noble Atulegwu, Science and Technology, Hon. Iyke Umeh, SA on Special Education, Lady Chidinma Oparaocha, Director, Universal Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Mmirikwe D. A, and the Head of service, Imo State civil service, Dr. Camillus Iwuagwu.
Highlights of the day were interactive session between the deputy governor and the students, presentation of gift items to the deputy governor, dedication of the science laboratory hall attracted to the school by Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, a friendly football match in honour of the deputy governor, and other side attractions by the students.
9News Nigeria (Owerri)
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