30 Students, Teachers, Win Prizes, Awards, at Bishop Valerian Okeke Science Competition

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By Jude Atupulazi

No fewer than 30 students and their teachers carted away various prizes and awards in the 2023 Archbishop Valerian Okeke Science Competition (AVOSCO) which results were released at the Shanahan Auditorium, Onitsha on Wednesday, December 14.

The prizes ranging from certificates, cash, laptops, printers and huge whiteboards.

The Archbishop who was physically present, personally gave out the awards to the students and teachers, with the Bishop stating that it was his desire to improve their knowledge and scientific skills.

The competition involved various Archdiocesan secondary schools, their teachers and students, who participated at the Archdiocesan Junior category of the competition.

A student of the Queen of the Rosary College (QRC) Onitsha, Miss Onyinye Cynthia Udoye, clinched the 1st position with 80 percent; while Miss Philips Martha Chinazaekpere Okeke of St Kizito Girls’ Secondary School, Umudioka, scored 79 percent to clinch the 2nd position. The 3rd position was clinched by Franklin Chuka Akwazie of All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha, with 78 percent among other contestants in the Junior category.

In the Senior category, Archdiocesan level, Onyinye Emmanuella Ezeoha of St Patrick’s School, Ugwuagba, Obosi, took the 1st position with 66 percent; while the 2nd position was taken by Mary-Jane Amarachi Nnaemeka of Mater Amabilis Secondary School, Umuoji with 65 percent. The 3rd position was clinched by Chisimdi Basilia Elochukwu of the Queen of the Rosary College (QRC) Onitsha with 64 percent.

Some of the teachers involved in the competition were categorised and also rewarded.

In the Junior category, the names of the teachers were listed from 1st to 3rd positions and their names were given as Evans Anyoku from Queen of the Rosary College (QRC) Onitsha; Solomon Nwoye from St Kizito Girls’ Secondary School, Umudioka and John Ebosie from All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha.

Teachers from the Senior category who were also rewarded were Mrs Rita Obi from St Patrick’s Secondary School, Ugwuagba, Obosi; Mr Elochukwu Orji from Mater Amabilis Secondary School, Umuoji and Helen Mozie from Queen of the Rosary College (QRC) Onitsha.

The Queen of the Rosary College (QRC) Onitsha which was adjudged the overall best in the Junior category, carted away a huge whiteboard, laptops and other prizes; while St Patrick’s, Ugwuagba, Obosi, which was adjudged the overall best in the Senior category, carted away same prizes as QRC.

The event which started with a thanksgiving Mass, was presided over by Archbishop Valerian Okeke who was assisted by many priests, including the Onitsha Archdiocesan Education Secretary, Very Rev Fr Dr Paschal Onwugbenu.

In his remarks before giving out the prizes and awards, Archbishop Okeke said his major aim of giving the prizes and awards annually was to improve the knowledge and scientific skills of the students in order to prepare them for academic excellence and their future endeavours.

According to the Archbishop, natural skills could be further developed by practice. He added that a student might be intelligent but without constant practice, might not perform well.

He urged the students to continue to work hard to reach their desired goals in life.

A motivational speech was delivered to the students by Rev Fr Kingsley Omenyi where he availed the students the secrets of examination success and excellence in academic pursuit.

The Onitsha Archdiocesan Education Secretary, Very Rev Fr Dr Paschal Onwugbenu, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to the Archbishop for his encouragement to the students and what he described as his visionary exploits in education. He also thanked the teachers and students for their interest and performance in the science competition.

Highlights of the occasion were a 70th birthday song for the Archbishop, cutting of his birthday cake, recitation of the Archbishop’s achievements and a question and answer session to the Archbishop.

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