. . . as School Children Take Centre Stage at Maiden Awka Diocesan Education Summit
By Chinecherem Efobi
Opening mass for the Awka Diocesan maiden education summit which was themed, “EDUCATON FOR CHARACTER FORMATION, EMPOWERMENT AND SALVATIUON; held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Awka on 4th October 2019,led by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Most Rev. Dr. P.C Ezeokafor.
The mass was followed by an interaction between the students and Chief John Nnia Nwodo and Chief Ikenna Okafor, Ide Akwaeze [KSS], held at the school hall of St. John of God secondary school Awka.
Sharing his experiences at the interactive session, Hon. Chief Nwodo made it clear to the entire students, gathered from about 60 schools both Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools in Awka Diocese that being in school to learn was the most gracious thing that will ever happen in your life and that why it was important for students to puts more effort into their studies in order to get scholarship so that will enable them to continue with their education even to the university level. This, he said was mostly beneficial to students from poor backgrounds as it would save them the stress of worring about school fees. Chief Nwodo further advised the students to always make good use of opportunities they have in life irrespective of their family background. He also urged them to always read their books, pray and take their examinations seriously.
He encourage them to be fear never to envy each other’s talent, be contented in life, learn new skills and be computer literate.
He recounted how his father gave him a hard knock when he was a kid, because he went boasting of his father’s wealth. That he said was an experience he would never forget in his life. “It is also a lesson to parents out there to always caution their children when they start making mouths with the wealth of others” he concluded
Chief Ikenna Okafor also speaking in the occasion noted that there were three things that were very important in the life of human which were “food as a necessity for the body, education for the mind and Christianity for the soul”. He continued by saying that the need to acquire knowledge, learning and high values, were the principals, parents and guardians sent their children and wards to school.
He finally said that prayer matters a lot in the lives of everyone especially the young ones. He told them to avoid get rich quick syndrome and then focus on their talent and they would be successful in life..
Rev. Fr. Hilary Nwajagu from the office of the Education Eepartment of Catholic Diocese of Awka as the education secretary appreciated Hon. Chief Nnia Nwodo and Chief Ikenna Okafor for honoring their invitation even joining them at the Holy Mass. He then charged all the students to adhere to whatever advice they have all given because they were good leaders both in the church and in the society. He prayed God to continue blessing them as they never seize inspiring the young ones especially in academics and morals.
