By Toby Chuks, Anambra
There was jubilation in Anambra State among people of Ogidi community and of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha on Thursday, as the former Special Adviser to America’s ex-President George Bush on Science and Technology High Chief Engr Emeka Ken Nwabueze (Ajie Okpala Ogidi) donated a secondary school to the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha.
The school which he single handedly built and equipped with modern facilities at Ogidi is named Assumption High School, Ogidi.
Nwabueze who announced the donation while handing over the key of the school to the Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, His Grace Most Rev Val Maduka at Our Lady’s Catholic Parish Church Ogidi during the Pastoral visit of the Archbishop, said he built and equipped the school for the Archdiocese to the glory of God and as part of his contributions to the development of Ogidi, Igboland and Nigeria.
The Adviser who noted that God has blessed him and he has to extend God’s blessings to the society at large, observed that the situation of things in Nigeria demands that children and youth should be enrolled into quality school where they can obtain quality education good enough to prepare them to face and overcome challenges of life and also contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and society at large.
The renowned Scientist commended the Archdiocese under Most Rev Okeke for what he described as a good effort in ensuring that the quality and standard of education in Anambra State remains unbeatable in Nigeria, noting that he is optimistic that Assumption High School Ogidi will thrive to produce champions in various field of human endeavors and leaders of tomorrow under the care of the Archdiocese.
He assured the Archbishop that he will continue to give support to Our Lady’s parish and the Archdiocese to the best of his abilities.
Corroborating, the younger brother to Ajie Okpara Ogidi, Mr. Chudi Nwabueze (Ebeonadi Ogidi) added that the reason behind the decision of his elder brother to build the school in their community is to enable the children and youths attend good School to equip themselves with knowledge of good life so that thuggery, cultism and petty social vices among youths would minimize or even be eradicated.
He urged other affluent people in the society to invest locally and give life support to the less privileged and stop blaming politicians.
Dedicating the school, Archbishop Okeke disclosed that the fifth Sunday of Lent is a great day in the Catholic Church, explaining that it is Sunday of a new beginning. While commending Nwabueze for his magnanimity in supporting the church, the community and the society in all important areas of education.
Appreciating the guests, the traditional ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, HRM Igwe Pharm Sir. Alex Onyido (Ezevhuamagha) lauded Archbishop Okeke for visiting the parish to dedicate Assumption High School and to Confirm young parishioners.
Igwe Onyido who is a wealthy church donor described the visiting Archbishop as a hard working shepherd assuring that he will always support the church. The monarch also commended Nwabueze’s family for always making Ogidi proud wherever they are as he put smiles on the faces of the parishioners by pledging to contribute to the completion of an ongoing project in the Church.
In his words, the parish priest Rev Fr Alloy Agba said that the two years and some months of his missionary journey to the parish has been much fruitful owing to the massive support being given to the parish by the Igwe, Nwabueze and other prominent people of Ogidi together with the parishioners at large.