History was made on Saturday, 15th February 2014 when His Grace, Most Rev Anthony Obinna came to our school, Christ the King Secondary School, Obike on Pastoral Visit. It was historical because no Student here ever witnessed such visit to our school before, which we understand happened over eight years ago.

Arrival

His Grace was met at the bridge by staff and students and he walked with us across the bridge. He was enraptured by the purity of the Ogochia stream, which flows from Umuowere in NguruNgor-Okpala, through Obike to Umuaturu in Etche. He was, however, confronted by angry villagers from Obike who said he has not done much to help them despite their good gesture of giving their land for the school. They asked His Grace to talk to government to build their road and ease their sufferings. His grace told them that he has been appealing to Government from Ohakim’s regime to this present government but they do not listen.They swore to burn the governor’s car if he comes to their place to campaign for votes in 2015. At the School gate, His Grace was met by the Principal, Fr.  Chikwendu PaschalKizito  Anyanwu and was welcomed with a Valentine gift, a flower portrait, presented by a JS2 student, Master Francis Anyanwu.

The Mass & Sacrament of Confirmation

During the Mass, His Grace praised the staff and students for the cleanliness of the compound but decried the state of the infrastructures.  Using the Gospel reading of the day – the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth – as an analogy, His Grace spoke of his visit as one that makes the students leap for joy like John the Baptist. He advised the students to strive to be wise. Wisdom, he says, is intelligence plus God. Even if we are intelligent, without God in our lives, we cannot become wise. He praised our school that despite all the difficulties it faces, it still produces very responsible and progressive young men. He noted that an alumnus of our school was among those he ordained deacons a week earlier.  He confirmed 140 students and offered one-year scholarship to a JS2 confirmation candidate, Aguguom Christopher, who excelled in answering all the catechism questions and prayers of the Catholic Church His Grace posed to him. Many Priests, including the Pioneer Principal, Rev Fr (Dr) Alexander Okoro, were in attendance. His Grace was flanked by the Principal and Rev Fr Killian Eke, one of the Archdiocesan Episcopal Vicars.

Fund Raising

At the fund raising ceremony, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof Jude Njoku, commended His Grace and the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri for all the efforts they are making to provide quality education to our Children. The Principal’s  address observed that CKSS has suffered so much neglect that it is now suffering from haemorrhage and is about kicking the bucket if nothing is done quickly. He called on the government to formulate a policy that will enable it support well-established Mission School since Mission Schools offer more qualitative and comprehensive education than government schools. He appealed to everyone to help our school improve its facilities because, according to him, “Education anywhere concerns everyone everywhere.” He also noted that Ngor-Okpala as a whole, has continually suffered neglect, from Sam Mbakwe’s government to the present regime, even though Ngor-Okpala became the beautiful bride that led the present governor into Douglas House.   Those in attendance, included the PTA, Old Boys and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Dr T O E Ekechi, donated generously. Hon Ekechi, who earlier in the week led government delegation, which included the Commissioner for Works, promised that he will pressurize the government into constructing the Obike road. The Director of Inspectorate at the Ministry of Education, Mr J N Nwachukwu, who read an address but made no donation, represented the Commissioner of Education. The School presented to His Grace, a portrait of his own image in the midst of the common people, with a microphone, speaking on their behalf.

Entertainment: Sports & Dance

After the fundraising event, there were races by our students and invited schools to conclude the inter-house sports activities, whichstarted two weeks earlier. This was kicked off with a march past exercise by Students of CKSS and followed by invitational relay race. Holy Rosary International College, Owerri, won the race for the girls. There was no invitational race for the boys because only Ngor-Okpala High School was present with the departure of Holy Ghost College before the time for the race. Other schools in attendance were Lumen Christi in Nguru, Mater Dei in Obube and Owerri Girls. After the invitational race, CKSS concluded its inter-house sports with 100m and 4x400m relay race. St Anthony’s (Pink) house became overall winners and the Archbishop presented them the winners’ trophy.  The Students’ Cultural Dance Group (with egwuukwu) and a dance group from Obike community entertained all. We thank CKSS, Tummy-Tummy Noodles and Destiny Supermarket for providing us gift items for those who won prizes in sports.

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