The 2014 Annual Education Week organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri with the theme- “Catholic Education in Owerri Archdiocese, Reviewing for Refinement,” has colourfully come to an end last weekend with the commemoration of St. Valentine’s day.

Archbishop Obinna in a handshake with Prof. Jude Njoku

In a holy Mass well attended by students drawn from all the nursery, primary and secondary schools under Owerri Archdiocesan Education Commission, at Assumpta Cathedral, the officiating prelate, Archbishop Anthony Valentine Obinna admonished church faithful to let agape love lead, describing Valentine day as a day for showing care to the needy and not for indulgence in immorality as characterized by nowadays celebrants.

The Archbishop in his usual manner ceased the opportunity to advice the students on the need to spread the gospel against homosexuality and lesbianism “Man, woman marriage in Christ is the right family way”

In an address presented by the director of education Owerri Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Victor Eleba at the second segment of the program, he expressed gratitude to the doggedness of the proprietor in piloting the affairs of the missionary schools in spite of the daunting challenges. He challenged the state government to assist the church. “we need the government at all levels to assist the church. These children in Catholic mission schools are no less citizens of this nation Nigeria.  Therefore, they should benefit from the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals).”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Jude Njoku commended the organizers for articulating and sustaining the education week, which has served its purpose of providing evergreen and timeless values of spiritual, moral and intellectual balance.

He enjoined government to play their statutory role in the encouragement of mission schools. “I am glad to be part of the success story of return of mission schools to the missionary. I want to thank the organizers of today’s occasion for their glaring efforts in improving the educational development of ImoState and Nigeria at large”.

He continued, “I use this opportunity to appeal to the government to provide mission schools with grants-in-aid, as was obtainable in the time past”

In his remark the Archbishop of Owerri archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev. AJV Obinna extolled Prof. Jude Njoku for his sterling role in the return of schools to the missionary.

Hear him: “I commend in a special way Prof. Jude Njoku for initiating and actualizing the return of mission schools to the missionary during his tenure as Commissioner for Education in Ikedi Ohakim’s Cabinate. This legacy he left will forever remain on the sands of time.”

Highlights of the occasion were the presentation of prizes to winners of the Football tournament and cultural dance by the various schools.

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