PART 2 OF 2022 PRINCIPAL ADDRESS AT VALEDICTORY AND PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY

to do exploits for Jesus Christ, yourself, family, community and humanity in general will always abound for you in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me to affirm that for any educational institution, having good academic results is a critical parameter and true indication of staff’s commitment and their individual contributions towards enabling good and diligent students to achieve their full potentials. Also, I affirm that the staff of this Convent are qualified enough and that they work hard to facilitate world class teaching/ learning experiences and high academic achievements among students. Thus, it they should be provided with requisite tools and enabling environment and motivated regularly and appropriately. In this respect, we laud our father and Proprietor of this institution for his passion, personal sentiments and concerns about the educational development of the girl-child, and especially, the day to day running of this Convent, which helps to keep us focused and result-oriented. Our Golden Mother, Mama Nnewi, Mrs Ukamaka Zipporah Obi, the Bishop’s wife feeds us during Mothering Sunday week and creates time out of her very tight schedules to come and speak to the girls on salient topical issues. This session, her concern for the progress and goodwill of this noble citadel of learning prompted her to, among others, pay the WAEC fees for one of our students.

We applaud the passion and generosity of our Benefactor, who, together with his brothers- Ven. Barr. Amaechi, Dr Chinno and Hon Azuka Okwusa; their entire family members; friends and associates is committed to the course of providing needed infrastructural facilities; boosting the Convent’s image; monitoring, supplementing costs and actively participating in programme implementation; and motivating the students and staff on regular basis. For instance, this month, we were blessed with a much-desired present of four new Convent Billboards, mounted at different strategic locations, including the Convent’s gate. The Oil Serve, a subsidiary company of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation gives prizes and gifts to the staff and prizes, gifts and scholarship awards to students. The company gave prizes to all the winners of the first, second and third positions of all the sporting events, including invitation relay and staff races during our inter-house sports competition, held on 19th March, 2022. During the 2020/2021 Prize-Giving Ceremony, the company gave 124 prizes and gifts on different subjects. Today, Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation plans to replicate the package for last year, among others.

Furthermore, our Benefactor has set plans in motion for his contractor to move into the Convent as soon as we vacate for the session, to carry out necessary renovations in our hostel, for the comfort of our students by the time they resume in the 2022/2023 Academic Session. He has also concluded

arrangements for the commencement of the project of an ultra-modern hostel for the Convent. Indeed, Sir Emeka Okwuosa, his brothers- Ven. Barr. Amaechi, Dr Chinno and Hon Azuka Okwusa; their entire family members; friends and associates; and all the Directors and staff of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation are God-sent to this Convent. May our God reward and always remember them for good, Amen.

We also appreciate and pray God Almighty to reward other groups and individuals who have been helping the Convent in one way or another, including the artisans who answer our distress calls for repair and maintenance works. Please, permit me to place on record that the policy directions and constant guidance of the Diocese transmitted through the Board of Governors of this Convent, ably led by a true father and an astute manager, Ven. Dr Charles Nnaemeka, are instrumental to the Convent’s stand on a pedestal. The Parents, as individuals have been strong backbones, making their payments, offering godly criticisms, counsels, prayers and providing material supports, including bags of rice, to supplement the students’ food supply. As a body, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), ably led by diplomatic and goal getting Ven. Azubuike Ifejirika has laudable plans for the Convent. Just this month, the PTA bought and installed three new 1000litre water tanks for the convent, in a bid to ensure constant water supply.

We have a long list of godly individuals who have been assisting the Convent in diverse ways. They include, Ven Pat. Nweke, Chairman Diocesan Education Board; Dr (Lady) Joy Ulasi, Co-Chair Diocesan Education Board; Ven. Henry Nduka, Secretary Diocesan Education Department; Ven, Dr Iyke Okafor Archdeacon Oraifite Archdeaconry, Ven. Nelson Iluno, Ven. Nelson Emeonu, Archdeacon Oraifite West Archdeaconry; Ven. Temple Madunagu, Archdeacon Otolo Central Archdeaconry; Rev. Canon Tochukwu Egwuatu, the immediate past Principal; Rev. Chukwuka C. Okwuolisa immediate past PTA Chairman; Chief Ozo Okeke, Dr Chike Obidigbo (Osisioma Umunnya), Sir Sunday Igboanugo, P. G. Oraifite; Sir Oseloka Offor, Professor Anene Okwuosa, Sir Tony Nnajiofor, Sir Emeka Nzewi, Mr. Emeka Nwizu, Mr Chuka Eze, and Engr. Paul Erinne (Ugogbe Anaedo). In fact, Engr. Paul Erinne awarded full scholarship, covering all fees and levies to five students in 2019. He conscientiously honoured the ward to the effect that two of the beneficiaries graduated in 2021, while the remaining three are among today’s graduands. Our prayer is for God to keep them; always embarrass them with His providence; and remember them for good.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we cannot but answer Oliver Twist at this stage in our development. This is because our needs are still numerous and it is

becoming very difficult to meet them due to dwindling purchasing power of the resources at our disposal, occasioned by the current economic meltdown, with its attendant escalated cost of living. We are, therefore, passionately soliciting for more incentives and support to the Convent and also implore our parents to understand and cooperate with us whenever we call on them.

As we look forward to successful completion of this session and prayerfully plan for the 2022/2023 Academic Session, we passionately request for assistance in providing the following:

10 desktop computer systems;

5 laptops;

5 printers;

1 projector and 1 projector screen;

5 sewing machines for pre-vocational studies;

35 double beds for new students;

Public Address System for the Convent’s Chapel;

1 school bus;

Medical supplies for the Convent’s Clinic;

Scholarship awards to best performers in academics, sports and other areas;

solar system supply of electricity; and

Weekly supply of diesel and petrol, for regular supply of electricity.

Once again, my lord Bishop, Honourable Commissioner for Education, Anambra State, our dear Benefactor, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our joy is beyond measure for your esteemed presence in our midst. Thank you, very, very much for making out time to be with us. Thank you for what you have already done and what you will still do today, as you rejoice with us. May we all be fulfilled at the end in the might name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I thank you all for your attention.