…Blesses Fully Equipped Science Laboratories, Others at St. Anthony’s Catholic Comprehensive Institute, Agulu
By Michael Nnebife and Ebube Edieh
The Bishop of Awka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, says the Church ventured into education for the integral formation of human beings with a focus on the spiritual aspect of life, while taking care of the Academic Development of the child.
The prelate admonished parents to make a right choice, as regards schools for their children, reiterating the importance of the moral aspect of children’s, lives without which, he said, their academic excellence would leave much to be desired.
Bishop Ezeokafor was on a pastoral visit to St Anthony’s Catholic Comprehensive Institute, Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, on Friday, 22nd November 2024, where he blessed the Biology and Chemistry Laboratories equipped with modern facilities for 21st Century Education.

He also blessed other projects at the Institution which included a renovated two-storey classroom block which also houses the science laboratories, and a modern entrance gate with a security tower, as well as visitors’ room.
Speaking in a homily during a Pontifical Holy Mass for the epoch-making event, the Bishop expressed satisfaction with the infrastructural development in the Institution.
Bishop Ezeokafor, who spoke among other things, extolled the aesthetics of the Institution, thanking her Management and the staff for their commitment and excellent service, advising the teachers to train the students not only in academic work but also on morals through good behaviour as good role models.
He also enjoined the students to be disciplined and obedient to the teachers, charging them to take their studies seriously.
In his remarks, the Manager of the Institution, Rev Fr Valentine Ezenduka, thanked Bishop Ezeokafor for his paternal care and concern.
The Manager, who expressed the belief that Ezeokafor’s visit would reinvigorate the spiritual and academic lives of the Institution, told the Bishop and other dignitaries the success story of the Institution.
‘We’re happy to let you know that our students always register 100% success in external exams namely, WAEC, NECO, and BECE.
‘In 2022/2023 Academic Session, one of our students, Uzochukwu Okaforeze, scored 8 A1s and 1 B in NECO, and 305 in UTME. Currently, he is studying Medicine and Surgery at UNIZIK,’ Rev Fr Ezenduka said, adding that the Institution had also excelled in quiz, sports, and music competitions, including morals.
He however said the Institution needed a new coaster bus to ease the transport needs of her students coming from faraway towns; as well as solar panels and inverters to cushion the effects of high cost of fuel in the running cost of the school bus and generator.
‘We solicit the people of goodwill and philanthropists for help to realize these dreams in order to create a better, conducive environment for teaching and learning,’ the Manager appealed, and thanked the individuals, as well as the dignitaries in the occasion, for their various supports.

In remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion and Director, Anambra State Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Chief Ozo Uchenna Ezeani, thanked the Awka Catholic Diocese for its excellent performance in education.
While urging parents to take the education of their children seriously, Chief Ezeani attributed the cause of youth restiveness and insecurity in Nigeria to lack of opportunity for education among many children in the country.

The inauguration of the 2024/2025 Academic Year by Bishop Ezeokafor, presentation of awards of academic excellence to best students of the institution, confirmation of 315 candidates through the administration of the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation, among others, were parts of the event which attracted a heavy presence of Catholic priests, government officials and community leaders in Agulu and environs.
