. . . Clocks 25 Years of Existence
By Chioma Ndife
St. Paul’s Nursery and Primary School, a renowned Mission School in Akpo Community, Aguata LGA, Anambra State, being managed by St. Paul’s Catholic Church, has been renamed after the late Msgr. Martin Okpala.
The school, sequel to its renaming, is now known as Msgr. Martin Okpala Memorial Nursery & Primary School.
Fides gathered that the school was renamed through a joint decision reached by members of the Parish Pastoral Council of St. Paul’s Parish, and Management of St. Paul’s Nursery & Primary School, in a bid to appreciate the numerous contributions of the late Msgr. Martin Okpala in the school.
The renaming was part of the activities to commemorate the 25 years anniversary of the existence of St. Paul’s Nursery and Primary School and its 2019 graduation ceremony, cum prizing giving day.
Speaking to Fides, the Manager of the school, Rev. Fr. Gerald Onwumere, explained that the school was renamed after due consultation and approval by the Parish Council headed by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Augustine Onyebuchi, as part of activities to celebrate the 25 years anniversary of the school.
Fr. Onwumere who has served as a manager for a period of 18 months, applauded the past managers and administrators of the school, saying that the school, through commitment, dedication and consistency in holistic formation, had produce men and women of high renown who would be reckoned with anywhere in the world.
He noted that the school management had been doing all within its power to ensure that the seed sown by Msgr. Martin Okpala during his days on earth continued to flourish.
Earlier in his homily, Fr. Onwumere described the graduating pupils as the light of the school and beckoned on them to present the school in a positive light anywhere they found themselves. He urged them carry on with the qualities which had been imbibed in them, and commended the parents for their commitment, dedication and devotion to the academic training of their children.
He further urged them to carry on as their contributions to the academic training of their children, noting that well trained pupils would contribute qualitatively in nation building.
Also speaking, a sister of the late Msgr. Martin Okpala, Sabina Okpala, commended the initiative behind the renaming of school after Msgr. Okpala, saying such was in line with the contributions of Msgr. Okpala to the school and the Awka Diocese as a whole. She maintained that the immortalization of Msgr. Okpala was for the good of the school as it would open avenues for more graces and development in the school.
She noted that Msgr. Okpala made heaven immediately after his death and explained that heavenly beings tended to do more for humans whenever they were honoured.
For her part, the school’s Headmistress, Mrs. Celestina Iwuanynwu, highlighted the contributions of Msgr. Okpala in the school and described him as the school’s mentor. She disclosed that the school, which came into existence 25 years ago, had been instrumental in assisting people from Akpo Community and its environs in achieving their full potentials.
Some of the graduating pupils who spoke to Fides, namely Chiamaka Umujiegbo, Vivian Okpala and Chukwudi Ume, described their journey in primary school as one filled with many outstanding memories and qualitative training geared at bring out the best in them in their future life.
