By Ifeoma Ezenyilimba
The famous Catholic Diocese of Awka-owned Tansi International College, Awka (TICA), Anambra State, has inaugurated her 2019/2020 Academic Year with the investiture of 197 new students as bona fide members of the school.
In his address of welcome to mark the investiture of the new JSS 1 at the temporary college hall/chapel on October 13, the TICA Principal, Rev Fr Paul Onyebuchi II, congratulated the new students for being able to meet up with the admission requirements of the prestigious college, and their subsequent investiture.
He reminded the students that in line with the school motto: Wisdom, Discipline and Knowledge (sapientia et displina), good general conduct and academic excellence, were the two wings they were expected to fly as students of the college. Fr Onyebuchi II reminded them that the school would not compromise in its cut off mark of 55%, and charged them to work hard to meet up with the standard.
The principal described the number of the new students as very intimidating, and the first of such in the history of the College, and charged them to strive to excel in character and learning, as according to him, the 2019/2020 set would be very competitive for the real academic activities.
Addressing the newly invested students, the TICA principal said, ‘Your investiture today with the school’s white uniform is both significant and symbolic. Strive to keep these white uniforms clean as signs of purity and consecration to God. Your moral life is important to you, your family and the Church. Be continually reminded that you have been clothed with the garment of righteousness, until the day of the Lord. Shun therefore all forms of ignoble behaviour and stick to what pleases the Lord, for in doing that, you will find happiness and fulfilment in life.’
The college principal appreciated the parents and guardians for the choice of TICA for their children and wards and urged them to cooperate with the school management in the actualization of the collective aspiration and vision for the students and the college.
Earlier, when he led in the concelebrated Holy Mass for the investiture, Rev Fr Paul Onyebuchi II in his homily, thanked God that for his sustenance, life and protection on the students and the school.
The Catholic priest, who based his reflection on the readings of the Sunday, October 12, 2019, noted that whatever one had or was in life was a privilege, and not a right.
He identified good results as the best form of thanksgiving the students would give to their parents and guardians, who according to him, made lots of sacrifices to send them to school.
The principal solicited for stable support for the continuous growth of the seminary-model college that took off on 20th September, 1999 with 99 students, and currently, had a population of 893 students.
Responding, the new students, through the address that was presented by Collins Munachi Udeagbaja of JSS 1D, pledged their readiness and commitment to the values and goals, which, they said, had kept the noble institution soaring. They assured their parents that they were comfortable with the school administration and the various maintenance works and new projects that were going on for their betterment and that of the college.
