…Recognizes Deserving Individuals
By Michael Nnebife
The atmosphere at Egbengwu Field, Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State, was calm and filled with melodious songs on Friday 15th December, as the students of Consolers International College, Nimo, marked her Maiden Christmas Carols and Festival of 9 Lessons in the area.
Consolers Choir, alongside her St Vincent Catholic Church, Nimo counterpart, Divine Mercy Choir, melodiously thrilled the guests and the audience with usual Christmas songs after each of the 9 lessons read by the students of the college.
During the event, which was activity-loaded and filled with fanfare to the joy of the smart Consolers students and their parents, including their friends and well-wishers who were present, the young college launched the maiden edition of her publication, ”The Seeds Sapientia Magazine”, and also honoured some prominent individuals with awards of excellence in recognition of their distinguished selfless service to humanity.
The prominent individuals included a member representing Njikoka II Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Jude Akpua; the Director, Fides School of Theology and Evangelization, Rev Fr Dr Celestine Muonwe; Rev Fr Anthony Mbanusi of Cave City College, Ogbunike; a Nimo community leader, Engr Dan Anakpe; his women counterpart, Dr Ify Mbelede; among others.
Presenting an address of welcome titled, ”Christmas Speech”, the Proprietor of Consolers International College, Nimo, Mr Basil Ezekwe, said Christmas day marked the celebration of the triumph of the good.
Mr Ezekwe stated that Christmas carols were sung by kids and adults to welcome Christmas Day, noting that without carols, the celebration was empty.
He further expressed gratitude to the award recipients, some of whom, he said, had sponsored scholarships for some students of the college whose parents were not well off.
Responding, Hon Akpua described the ceremony as a thing of joy and beautiful.
The lawmaker applauded the college for coming up with her magazine which he described as a fountain of knowledge.
He thanked the management and the staff of the college for their good service to society through the institution and advised the students to always take their studies seriously.
In an interview with the press, another award recipient, Rev Fr Dr Muonwe, expressed joy over the honour done to him and others, praying God to bless the college’s proprietor with enabling grace to actualize the objectives of the college to its fullest.
Also during the event, the college swore in 20 new functionaries for the 2023/2024 Academic Season, with Miss Mmesoma Naomi Ekunie as the Senior Prefect.
In her acceptance speech, Miss Ekunie, who also received an award as the best student in the college, thanked the school Management for considering her and her co-functionaries worthy to serve.
The new Senior Prefect pledged to do as children of God, seeking not their own comfort, glory or popularity, but trying to promote good work in all aspects of their functions for the honour and to the credit of the college.
She also pledged that they would be models and that she would guard their behaviour so that none of the younger ones would learn evil from them, either in words or in deed.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Valentine Oliobi, who described the event as apt, advised the smart new prefects to lead by example and put up every effort to make their college a model of excellence for other schools.
In a vote of thanks, the Principal of the college, Dr Fred Obodoeze, expressed appreciation to the entire parents of the students of the college for their support; and the guests, as well as friends and well-wishers, for honouring the invitation of the college. He prayed God to grant them journey mercies as they returned to their various homes.
The event, which also featured a special number and a drama by the students of Elite College, Awka, attracted many prominent men in Nimo and beyond who included the Assistant Manager, St Michael’s Model Secondary School, Nimo, Rev Fr Calistus Nworgu; a community leader, Chief Emeka Asimonye; a Nimo youth leader, Mr Chibike Okwaji, among others.
