By Jude Atupulazi
Igwe Raph Ekpe House has emerged the overall best at the inter house sports competition held at Arinze Primary School Enugu-Ukwu, in Njikoka Local Government Area. The event which took place on Thursday, 21st March 2024, at the school’s playground, featured march past and other sporting activities.
In an address of welcome, the head teacher, Mr Clement Okodo, emphasized the importance of sports in enhancing the growth and development, as well as the mental health of a child and physical fitness, noting that it was why they decided to organize the sporting events for their pupils.
He also stated that sports could enable the pupils to gain various skills, sportsmanship spirit, teamwork, leadership skills, confidence and personality development. This was even as he paid glowing tributes to the patrons and patronesses, as well as the school Management Board for their advice and financial support. He also appreciated all the invites that attended the occasion.
The chairman of the occasion, Hon. (Barr) Valentine Ayika, represented by Barr Ikem Ayika, commended the school Management for embarking on such sporting activities and pledged his continued support for the progress of the school.
Among the events competed for were, 100m, 200m, 4 x 4 relay and invited schools relay of 4 x 100m, in which Orabuike Primary School, Enugu-Ukwu came first; while St. Francis Primary School Enugu-Ukwu came second.
At the end of the competition, Igwe Raph Ekpe House emerged the overall best, including in the march past. The events attracted some prominent sons and daughters of Enugwu-Ukwu and beyond, as well as parents and friends of the school.
One of the stakeholders of the school, Mr Emmanuel Atuegbu, thanked all who made time to grace the occasion and expressed profound gratitude to the Church, the school Management Board, the PTA, the teachers and pupils for their untiring efforts in promoting the status of the school in all ramifications.
Others that graced the occasion were Mr. Tony Ezeabasili; Miss Louisa Igweonu; Lady Ojiugo Okonkwo and Lady Esi Egbue; among others.
Speaking at the event, Nze Francis Echezona, the secretary of Arinze Primary School Management Board, who stood in for the chairman, Mr. Daniel Ekenta, appreciated all who contributed to the success story of the school. He equally thanked the pupils for their brilliant performance, especially during the march past.
Lending her voice to the success story, Mrs Cecilia Atuegbu, the PTA chairman, commended the efforts of the school Management in uplifting the status of the school.
In her remarks, the school’s games mistress, Miss Chioma Ndibe, expressed her delight that the sporting events were successful and commended the pupils for their cooperative disposition.
In his vote of thanks at the end of the events, the Manager of the school, Rev Fr John Paul Chukwuelobe, thanked all who came to grace the occasion and asked God to lead them back home safety.
The closing prayer and blessings were performed by the Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Parish, Enugwu-Ukwu, Rev Fr. Fabian Anumba.
Cultural dance performances added glamour to the occasion to the admiration of the guests.
