Chinwendu Uzoatu, Awka
Aquinas Model Nursery and Primary School, GRA, Awka, on Sunday marked its Silver Jubilee in grand style. The event also featured a fundraising ceremony for the construction of Aquinas Model Secondary School, GRA, Awka.
In his remarks during the Holy Mass, the Chief Celebrant and Parish Priest of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, GRA, Awka, Very Rev. Fr. Francis Orange, thanked God for the milestone and called on all to support the great project.
In his homily, the Vice Chancellor of Peter University, Achina/Onneh, Rev. Fr. Prof. Chiemenam Emmanuel Umezinwa, reminded the congregation of the vanity of the world. Quoting the Bible, he urged the people of God to put God first in all they do, assuring that every other thing would be added unto them. He stressed the importance of charity and urged them to live by it. He also condemned the evils in society and emphasized the need for mission schools. He appealed for support towards the fundraising for Aquinas Model Secondary School, noting that even future generations would benefit from it.
In a welcome address presented by the management and pupils of Aquinas Model Nursery and Primary School, Awka, they emphasized that the school is committed to providing quality education—a vital tool to prepare children to embrace the future with confidence.
Part of the message read: “It may interest you to know that the school, since its establishment twenty-five years ago, has consistently remained one of the best nursery and primary schools in the diocese, the state, and beyond, in the provision of quality teaching and the training of future leaders.”
The address noted that the establishment of a model secondary school is intended to complement the efforts of the state government in the proper training of young people, especially in a time of widespread moral decadence and youth restiveness.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Hon. George Ozoh, highlighted the importance of education and mission schools, asserting that any child who passes through a mission school will make a positive difference. He praised Aquinas Model Nursery and Primary School for its excellence, saying: “They must be responsible and religious. They will not join the group that says Christianity is a scam. Mission schools are good. There is a need for Aquinas Model Secondary School. The evangelization continues.”
He appealed to the public to support the project in any form—even with a bag of cement, a trip of sand or stones, iron rods, and so on.
The Manager of the school, Rev. Fr. Paschal Nnajiofor, noted that establishing a secondary school is timely given the standard of the pupils.
“We want to sustain their standard through secondary school. If not, they may end up in schools that will lower their values,” he said.
Fr. Nnajiofor emphasized the importance of maintaining the Catholic values already instilled in the children.
The Head Teacher, Mrs. Ngozi Nwankwo, expressed gratitude, saying:
“Thank God for everything. Aquinas is known for excellence. The event is a success, but the task remains. We need those who passed through this school to join hands with us to achieve this goal.”
She outlined some of the school’s achievements, both academic and otherwise, and mentioned some challenges, including the need for a school bus.
A pupil of the school, Miss Ifunanya Ezeoke, who has just completed Basic Five, praised her school, saying: “Aquinas Model Nursery and Primary School, Awka is the best mission school. We have quality teachers and spacious classrooms. Aquinas is simply the best.”
Highlights of the event included the cutting of the anniversary cake, award presentations, freewill donations, dances, and more.
