From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev Wilfred Anagbe has conferred some pupils of St Dominic’s Primary school with the sacrament of confirmation.
The event was part of the ceremony to mark the 10th graduation/speech and prize giving ceremony of St. Dominic’s Nursery And Primary School, Shachi Makurdi.
The Bishop represented by the Dean of Agasha Deary, Very Rev Fr Paul Aende, said he was elated at the level of progress made by the school in the past few years promising to continue to ensure that the vision and mission of the school is achieved.
Speaking at the event, the Director, Catholic Education Services of Makurdi Diocese, Rev. Fr. Peter Apagher, appreciated the Bishop for not only giving approval for the graduation to hold but also for opening the occasion with a solemn Mass during which some of our learners received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Apagher said Bishop Anagbe’s has shown undivided interest and doggedness in ensuring that the vision of the Catholic Education Services, in complementing educational efforts of Government at all levels to establish world class educational institutions where learners’ dreams become living realities as well as the formation of outstanding personalities for service to God and humanity anchored on Christian Education Tradition do not waver.
Rev Apagher thanked the School Administrator, Mrs. Victoria Okamgba, teaching and non-teaching Staff, the Chaplain and the parents, for their unalloyed support in making graduation rites possible.
He also gave the graduating class a path on the back for patiently enduring the rigours of academic and moral training from one class to another saying “While you celebrate today that you have passed this stage in life, you have also given hope to your immediate juniors that gradually, they shall also leave this stage one day, not without paying the price of continuous patience, consistence and insistence on doing the right thing that is demanded of them at every stage of learning.
“I will encourage you to remain bold, be courageous, and be your best because you still have a long way to go. Do not allow the vicious waves of crime in the society to overwhelm you. Be good ambassadors of your alma mater and make your teachers proud.
“Pray for these young grandaunds that the future will be bright for them. Pray for our Bishop, Most Revd Wilfred C. Anagbe, the Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, that God may grant him more strength to continue the good work he is doing for the Church. Pray for me the unworthy servant of God, that I may not fail in my responsibilities and duties,” he said.
While he further called for support the Catholic Education Services, Fr Apagher prayed for Late Fr. Michael Murphy who nurtured the missionary dream of educating the Nigerian Child to fruition in praying that the good work he began may not die but grow from strength to strength.
The Head teacher, Mrs Victoria Okamgba, appreciated the Bishop for his pragmatic leadership in the area of education in the Diocese and prayed for more wisdom and grace to enable him continue.
While stating that the school has made tremendous achievements, Okamgba urged the Bishop to look into the challenges facing the school in the areas of a computer laboratory, well equipped library and a drainage system to tackle flooding among others, with a view to providing solutions to them for a conducive learning atmosphere for both learners and teachers.