Bishop Ezeokafor Commissions Ultramodern Workshop Complex in Awgbu

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Cutting of tape and blessing of the school building

By Michael Nnebife and Ebube Edieh

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, has commissioned an ultramodern two-storey workshop complex at All Saints’ International Technical College, Awgbu in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, built by an illustrious son of the community, Chief Sir Jonas Ifinta, to enable young children in the area to acquire skills earlier in life for economic empowerment.

Speaking while delivering a homily during a Pontifical Holy Mass heralding the event, Bishop Ezeokafor expressed satisfaction over the quality of work done on the magnificent edifice and thanked the donor, Chief Sir Ifinta, for investing his wealth in building a better society for tomorrow, praying God to reward him.

Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor delivering homily

The Bishop also thanked the pioneer Manager of the College, Rev Fr Innocent Nwafor, not only for his support, but also for initiating the idea for the establishment of the College.

He further extended gratitude to various individuals that contributed in one way or the other to the successful completion of the project, and also appealed for support, noting that a lot more needed to be done to enable the College to meet its objectives.

Bishop Ezeokafor, whose Priestly assignment began at Awgbu Community 40 years ago, expressed satisfaction over the development of the community, especially as it concerned education.

‘When I look at things now, I feel fulfilled in some developments, especially on the side of education.

‘It is education that gives light to society,’ Ezeokafor said, adding that without having good education, people would not know their left and right.

He thanked teachers and those contributing to educational development, noting that when an individual was trained, a society was built.

He admonished the students to take their studies seriously for them to succeed in their academic pursuit and become useful to themselves and entire society.

The Prelate who frowned at what he called over pampering of children, advised parents against the act for self-independence of their children.

The School Building

Reflecting on the readings of the day, the Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese admonished Christians to match their lives with their belief as true witnesses to Jesus Christ.

‘The readings of today emphasize the fact that we are the believers of Christ, and the need for us to keep on bearing witness to Him.

‘It is not enough to believe in Christ, but you must live it out, because faith without good work is dead. Our Christian life must be seen from the way we live our lives.

The Manager Rev. Fr. Paschal Okafor, giving Vote of thanks

‘We must remember well that the early Christians lived their lives so much with love and faithfulness to the teachings of Christ in such a way that people who were around saw them and wanted to join them.

‘But today, the way some of us who are Christians and are baptized live their lives remains far away from what is expected of us,’ the Bishop regretted.

‘We shall live our lives as Christians in firm truth in Christ,’ he admonished.

In his remarks, the Parish Priest, All Saints, Awgbu, Rev Fr Hyacinth Okafor, thanked Bishop Ezeokafor for his fatherly care and concern for All Saints’ International Technical College, as well as the entire Awgbu Catholic Community, and all the guests on the occasion, for identifying with the College.

Presenting an address of welcome, the Manager of the College, Rev Fr Paschal Okafor, said the event marked another turning point in the History of the College founded in 1917 by Rev Fr Nwafor as Manager and the then Parish Priest, All Saints, Awgbu.

According to him, the foundation of the magnificent workshop complex was laid by Rev Fr Hyginus Egbonu as the College Manager with the assistance of Rev Fr Nwafor as a sponsor.

Fr Okafor, who appreciated Fr Egbonu, as well as Fr Nwafor, for their contributions, and Sir Ifinta, including his wife, for completing the complex, prayed God to reward them abundantly.

Fr Okafor however, enumerated the challenges facing the College to include an urgent need of a well-equipped science laboratory, school buses, shoes and bag making machines, classroom and hostel blocks, library, information communication technology centre, computers, among others.

He therefore, appealed to affluent individuals in society to assist the College in providing those facilities to enable it to operate optimally.

In an interview with Fides, Chief Sir Ifinta said his motive for embarking on the project was to give the students of the College technical know-how and skills that would enable them to be economically self-reliant at early stage of life.

Noting the importance of education for a good society, Chief Ifinta expressed the belief that when young people had technical knowledge and morals from early stage, poverty and crimes would be drastically reduced.

Also speaking with Fides, the Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr Earnest Ezeajughi, who represented the Anambra State Government on the occasion, described Chief Ifinta’s kind gesture as a fantastic and excellent response to the Public Private Community Partnership Development Policy of the State Government.

The Soludo’s aide, who is an illustrious son of the community, urged other affluent individuals in the community to emulate Ifinta by contributing their quota, especially in providing any of the needs of the College.

Also, an Awgbu Community leader, Hon Egbuo Edmond Chinweuba, while speaking with Fides, said the workshop complex was a game-changer in the area of human capital development in the community, advising other affluent individuals to emulate Ifinta for all-round development of the community.

The event which took place on Thursday, 2nd January, 2025, attracted the presence of Catholic priests and religious, top government officials, Awgbu Community leaders, who included the President General, Engr Christian Okoyeudor; successful captains of industry and businessmen from the community, among others.

Fundraising for further development of the College was among the highlights of the event, chaired by Chief Aloysius Okoye.

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