Bishop Crowther: Bishop Ibezim offers One-Year Scholarship, Extols Seminary’s PTA, Old Boys, Principal

By OdogwuEmekaOdogwu,Awka

The Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim,PhD has offered One-year scholarship to any student that gains admission into the Renaissance Polytechnics, Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State for one academic year.

Making the pledge at the graduation ceremony of 78 students of Bishop Crowther Seminary Awka, Anambra State capital, weekend, Ibezim noted:

“Other people are taking these opportunities to get admitted into Renaissance Polytechnics which has been approved by Ministry of Education as can be seen in JAMB Portal.”

Apart from the Renaissance Polytechnics, he said that there are lots of opportunities waiting for the students in Awka Diocese.

These opportunities he said include gaining admission to Paul University, Bishop Alexander Ibezim College of Education Nibo/Nise and the Diocesan School of Nursing, Awka.

Archbishop Ibezim called on the parents and guardians to see themselves as partners in the training of their children and wards, even as he urged them not to waste their time in the name of waiting for JAMB.

The Bishop advised parents, guardians and students not to neglect these institutions brought to their doorsteps  "because what you are looking at in other universities and polytechnics are here with you because we don't want outsiders to benefit what is meant for you.

“In our schools, you graduate with a certificate that is equivalent to B.Sc Degree that will qualify you to do your Masters programme in any of the universities of your choice.

“I pray that God will keep, protect and preserve you. Any where you find yourself, be a good ambassador ,

“Don’t be a cultist,419-ner
Don’t be a fish that don’t have direction.
Follow Old Boys, follow the path of progress and be a good representative of the institution. “

Ibezim further urged them “to rejoice in the Lord, work hard and do trust God… Join the two, you will get good result.
Don’t live your life any how so you will shine and rise .”

He urged parents to open their eyes to the blessings around. Parents be good ambassadors,; God who saved you have not finished with you.

He consoled the family that lost a child at the recent fire incident within the school premises that killed a student, remarking that this year’s graduation ceremony was remarkable because “God saved us from disaster.”

He thanked the Old boys for the way they responded to the incident and appreciated the school authority under the leadership of the Principal, Venerable Emendu for trying their best “because Satan want to stain the image of this school, but he failed .”

In his remarks, the Principal, Ven Dr Benneth Nnamdi Emendu appreciated the Bishop for the visit, prayers, scholarship offer, encouragement and other forms of empowerment to the staff and students.

Ven Dr Emendu noted that the school graduated 78 out of initial 130 students who enrolled at the Junior Secondary School (JSS) One. He recounted that the success of the school lies with the highly qualified tutorial staff and special moulding of character being given to the students

  "We are packaging 78 into the world. They're  being packaged by families and Society. Our society is corrupt. Thank God, this year, we have a wonderful set. We believe that as they enter the world, they should make impact and proclaim the name of  Christ.As they progress in life, they will continue to shine.               

     "Today is beginning of their life,  they are ending to begin another one.  I thank God for those who supported them, their parents and guardians. We are.pushing them into the world to proclaim the teachings and life of Christ.                     

On the members of staff, he said they’ve been wonderful, experienced, and highly qualified who have been helping to maintain standard to ensure success of the students of the school for the past 22 years, he has been in the school.

He further attributed his success to his knowledge of the terrain, having been a pioneer student of the school in September 1979, finished in 1984, hard a brief stint as a teacher, sojourned briefly outside, but came back again to teach for 11 years, becoming the Principal for 12 years.

"There is no corner of the school I  don't know what is happening here. I know the integrity of the teachers and staff.                            

He said his main focus “is to carry every body along…..That is our model. We have weak ones, we have strong ones, not that all of them are perfect, but we carry everybody along. I am managing all of them… I have not sacked any teacher for 20 something years. I have been here, We carry every body along,” Emendu concluded.

Ven Dr Emendu Nnamdi Bennett, is a Chief lecturer, department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Anambra state.