By Michael Nnebife and Ebube Edieh
It was a beehive of activities and celebrations galore at Adazi-Nnukwu in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, on Sunday, 10th November, 2024, as the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, paid a pastoral visit to Bubendorff Memorial Grammar School.
Prominent personalities from all walks of life graced the epoch-making event during which Bishop Ezeokafor laid the foundation stone of an ultra-modern storey building housing a refectory, ICT and hall; just as he equally blessed a borehole project by the PTA of the school, among others.
The personalities included a former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Sir Peter Obi; the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubuisi; the Bishop’s Secretary, Rev Fr Evaristus Ifeanacho; the Diocesan Education Secretary, Rev Fr Maximus Okonkwo; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Paul University, Awka, Prof Chinyere Okunna; the member in charge of Anambra State Post Primary School Service Commission, Awka Zone, Dr Uche Okeke; the National Secretary of the Alumni Association of the School, Prof Joseph Adama of the University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, and a number of Catholic priests.
The epoch-making event began with a Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Ezeokafor.
The Bishop, who is the Proprietor of the School, thanked the school Management for their commitment, and the supporters of the school, especially the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sir Victor Umeh, for their contributions to the development of the school.
The Proprietor further appealed for more assistance from the supporters, the parents of the students, the alumni and the general public for continual growth and development of the school.
He urged the school workers, especially teachers, to train the students not just as teachers, but also as formators.
The Prelate also advised the students to be disciplined and obedient to the teachers for them to become useful members of society.
Reflecting on the readings of the day in the Catholic churches world over, Bishop Ezeokafor highlighted the need for quality giving.
He reminded the congregation that filled the gigantic church of Bubendorff Memorial Grammar School, of the cases of Abel, Abraham, the widow of Zarephath who fed Prophet Elijah and a poor widow who gave all she had, admonishing the Christians to emulate those biblical figures.
‘The bottom line of the widow’s mite is giving the last of what one has. So, it is very important that when you are giving, you will feel the pinch of your giving, otherwise you may be making a mistake thinking that you have done much for God,’ the Prelate said.
In his remarks, the School Manager, Rev Fr Augustine Oguine, thanked Bishop Ezeokafor for his love for the school.
He also expressed appreciation to numerous priests, the alumni, the parents, the supporters and the friends of the school for finding out time to come to rejoice with the school.
The Manager, in his address during a reception ceremony shortly after Mass, narrated the success stories of the school.
According to him, four of Bubendorff students were developing a website with modern components for the school.
He disclosed that the Bubendorff students were the champions of Anambra State Governorship Debate, 2023/24 Academic Year Awka Diocesan Quiz Competition, among others.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Theo Afunwa, who is also an alumnus of the school, advised the students to be obedient and take their studies seriously so as to be useful to themselves, their families and larger society tomorrow.
The epoch-making event also featured the confirmation of 223 eligible Bubendorff students who are Catholics by the Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Ezeokafor.
