Fides Media Living the Faith
…As Maria Regina Nnewi, Dennis Memorial Schools Emerge Overall Best
By Ogochukwu Nwaokafor
Doctor Chinedu Umeadi Foundation (DCUF), in collaboration with the Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), Awka, and the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), has concluded the 4th Edition of Science Quiz Award Ceremony for Secondary Schools in Anambra State, just as Maria Regina Secondary School,Nnewi, and Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha, emerged as the overall bests in the competition.
Fides gathered that the event took place at Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, Awka, on 5th July and had in attendance, representatives of secondary schools with their students, government functionaries, as well as members of the academia in the state.
During the address of welcome, the Chairman of the Occasion, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Charles Esimone, said that students represented the future.
‘If you want to talk about tomorrow, we cannot play with you; you represent the lofty idea, the worthy status we aspire as a state, establishing you to be productive members of society in the near future. So we have to invest in you and so we keep thanking Dr Umeadi for instituting this quiz competition,’ Esimone said.
He said that when the minds of the youth were nurtured early, they tended to produce reproductive and effective people who would in return enhance development.
‘This is the magic behind developed countries where they use Science and Technology to improve the students,’ he further explained.
Prof Esimone however urged the students, teachers and principals to take charge because much was expected from them.
The Special Guest of Honour, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, noted that while students studied Science and Technology in school, they should know that humans were created in the image of God.
‘We notice that some of our young boys and girls are not disciplined and so, we encourage our parents, teachers to ensure that good morals are imbibed in the young ones. I want you to put God in your life which will help you to overcome human challenges and also you get the zeal to study,’ Bishop Ezeokafor said.
In same vein, the Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Chinedu Umeadi Foundation and Sponsor, 4th Edition of Science Quiz Ceremony for Secondary Schools in Anambra, High Chief Chinedu Umeadi, described the day as great and one to celebrate intelligent students in Anambra.
‘This is the 4th Edition of the Quiz Competition and I hope to support the educational foundations of our young ones,’ he said, while calling on Bishop Ezeokafor to appoint five students; and the Vice Chancellor, of Unizilk, too, who would benefit from educational scholarship.
The member representing Njikoka 11 State Constituency in the State House of Assembly and Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Dr Jude Akpua, lauded the sponsor and the directors of educational agencies present, and prayed that God would continue to bless them. He noted that irrespective of his constituency, Dr Chinedu Umeadi had taken the lead to organise the event for the whole of Anambra.
Adding that the quiz competition was inline with Governor Soludo’s Administration’s Vision, he assured Umeadi that Njikaoka Local Government would always assist in whatever development needed to pilot the affairs of the foundation.
The Director, Science and Technology, Post Primary Schools Services Commission, PPSSC, Awka, Mr Anereobi Ephraim Jekwu, noted that Dr Umeadi’s dynamic and visionary ideas had completely changed the face of education in the state. He thanked the foundation for its creative and charismatic method of using an advanced programme software, and Computer Based Test (CBT) for this year’s competition which, he said, helped to elevate the students’ Intelligence Quotient in ICT globally.
The state winners are, (Junior category) 6th position- Orjiakor Chibuzo Anthony of St Charles College, Onitsha; followed by Nnamani Favour Chisom of SKGSS, Umudioka, 6th; Madukasi Oluebube Victory of BUMSEM, Nnewi, 4th;OkonkwoChinazaekpere Stella of MASS Umuoji, 3rd; while the 2nd position went to Edochie Esther Chiagozie of QRC Onitsha. The 1st position went to Arinze Chiamaka Esther of MRMCSS Nnewi who won a N100, 000 cash prize.
The students were automatically inducted as members of Ambassador DCUF Foundation.
In the senior category, the 6th position went to Adinnu Stanley Sopuluchukwu of CSS, Oraifite; 5th position went to Maduagwuna Chioma Precious, NAU, AWKA; 4th position went to Ibegbunam Chinonso Christian of PMGS, Onitsha; while the 3rd position went to Nnaemeka Mary Jane Amarachi of MASS, Umuoji. The 2nd position went to Emmanuel Mmesoma Precious of QRC, Onitsha and Eze James Chinedu Daniel of DMGS emerged the overall winner.
Other awards given under the junior category included, Best School of Best Student to Maria Regina Model Comprehensive Secondary Nnewi;Best Principal of Best Student to Maria Regina Model Comprehensive Secondary Nnewi and Best Quiz Master to Maria Regina Model Comprehensive Secondary Nnewi, respectively.
In the senior category, Best School of Best Student went to DMGS Onitsha;Best Principal of Best Student to DMGS Onitsha and Best Quiz Master to DMGS, respectively.
Presentation of awards and prizes to state and zonal winners, dance performance by St JohnBosco Secondary School,Unubi, welcome song by Capital City Secondary School, Awka, formed the highlights.
The dignitaries present were, Royal Father of the Day, HRH Obi, Sir P.M. Okeke; Chief Dr Clement and Dr Mrs Nduka, Secretary, PPSSC, Awka; Mrs Bernadine Anagor, member; Dr Ngozi Ekwunife, member; Station Manager, Unizik 98.5 FM, Ify Obi, member; Foundation Director, DCUF, Rev Sr Dr Miriam Rona Onwuadi, member; Coordinator, DCUF, Chief Sir Ikem Onwuadi, member, among others.