VERY REV MSGR OBIORA IKE VISITS ST MONICA

July 6, 2022 by • Blog • 1 Comment

The 27th of May 2022 was not just Children’s Day, (a day set aside by the United Nations for the celebration of Children in the whole world), it was equally very special day for us at St Monica Girls’ Comprehensive College (SMGCC). It was a landmark event as we played host to the Director of Globethics Network Geneva, Switzerland, the Director of Catholic Institute of Justice, Development and Peace (CIDJAP) and the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council of Plateau State University in the person of Very Rev Msgr Prof Obiora Ike . It was a rare opportunity for our staff and students to interact with this academic giant of international repute,a priest of God, an ardent crusader for social justice, a great motivator, an intellectual colossus and a distinguished pastor of souls and preacher of the Gospel of Christ.

The Administrator Rev Fr Michael Ogbu appreciating Msgr Ike

It was indeed an intellectual cum spiritual encounter, in the context of the Eucharistic sacrifice, presided over by Msgr himself and concelebrated by the Administrator of SMGCC, Rev Fr Michael Amobi Ogbu.

In his homily, Msgr led the excited and expectant staff and students through the checkered history of what we have today as St Monica Girls Comprehensive College, Ogui Enugu. As once the Coordinator of an array of Vocational Schools in then Catholic Diocese of Enugu , of which St Monica Vocational Centre(as it was called then) was one of them, Msgr traversed through the history of the Nigeria Biafra war in the year 1967 to the post civil war era in the year 1970 which gave birth to St Monica Vocationa Centre, designed to address the momentous need of unemployed, confused young women in search of a positioned future life. It was both soul-lifting as well as informative.

Other facts incidental to the visit was the reawakening of the need for Skill Acquisition for the Nigerian Girl Child as a way of addressing the problem of unemployment and the gap between theory and practice. The School authority was enjoined to put in place practical measures of maintaining and sustaining the already existing Catering Craft studies (which has a newly constructed structure for) Skill Acquisition Department of the School. The highpoint of the celebration was the announcement, introduction of Msgr Obiora Ike Award for the Best in Academics and best behaved in all the classes , not excluding the Teachers and the Non-tutorial staff. According to Msgr Ike, this will be improved upon in the future to accommodate more academically sound but indigent students.

It was indeed a fruitful, informative and rewarding encounter,for which the students are very grateful to the Administrator of St Monica through whose instrumentality Msgr’s visit became possible.

The Principal Mrs Stella Eze during her speech

In her appreciation speech , the Principal Mrs Stella Eze, expressed on behalf of the teachers and students, sentiments of gratitude to God and to Msgr Ike for making out time to pay the school this all important visit. Its indeed enlightening to have the oracle himself speak to the staff and students she said. In his own speech towards the end of the Holy Mass, the Administrator of SMGCC, Rev Fr Michael Amobi Ogbu, expressed on behalf of the Management, Staff and students of SMGCC, his heartfelt appreciation to Msgr who has been a pillar of great support since his assumption of duty as the Administrator of St Monica. He recounted the numerous moral and financial support of Msgr, the high-point of which was the donation of the student long desired Coaster Bus to the school. This goes to add to the numerous face-lift projects going on in the school and others already undertaken in the past under the able leadership of Fr Ogbu. These include the renovated Bishop Ernest Obodo students refectory, Rev Fr Prof Christian Anieke ICT/E-library, School Solar Power light project, The already completed Chemistry Laboratory and the Physics Laboratory still under construction. It is good to remark at this juncture the students new hostel still under construction, that promises to house not less than 250 students when completed. In this regard, we appeal to those who can, to support this cause for the Girl-Child education at St Monica Girls Comprehensive College Ogui Enugu.

The need for Girl-Child education can never be overemphasized in this age. We are ever committed to give the best in building up future mothers for our families, for our Nation and for our world. Our motor says it all, train a woman,you train a Nation.

Attached are the picture highlights of the event and projects.