Fides Media Living the Faith
By Ikeugonna Eleke and Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Archbishop Valerian Okeke (middle) presenting gifts to Regina Pacis Secondary School, Onitsha, during the recently concluded AVOSCO Competition
The Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, Valerian Okeke, says the future of the world is dependent largely on science, even as he stresses the need to encourage students to embrace science subjects.
Archbishop Okeke who spoke during this year’s edition of the Archbishop Valerian Okeke Science Competition (AVOSCO) called on students to start loving science subjects, noting that the best way to do so was to introduce the competition.
Okeke who spoke to students said, ‘Our aim is to mould you into good people in society. Education is key, our interest in this competition is to make you great. We’re doing this because of our love for your greatness and the brightness of your future.
‘ We urge you to aim for excellence, and strive for the best. Pursuing a culture of excellence is uniqueness in itself. Embrace the culture of excellence if you want to achieve greatness.
‘ The future of the world is very much dependent on science, and the best way to get the students to embrace science is a competition like this. We call on all of you to be very studious in your educational pursuit.’
Meanwhile, a senior secondary two (SS2) student of Divine Rays British College, Ernest Ifeanyi Ofoama, was announced the winner in the senior category of the competition.
Students of All Hallows Seminary School, Onitsha and Regina Pacis Model Secondary School, Onitsha took the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
In the junior secondary school category, Deborah Igwilo of Regina Pacis School, Onitsha, took the 1st position with 86 points, while John Paul of All Hallows Seminary and Somtochukwu Okwuego of Divine Rays took the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively, scoring 84 and 83 points each.
Speaking with journalists, Rev. Fr. Simeon Amuluche, Schools’ Project Manager in the Archdiocese, stated that about 180 schools participated in the contest which he described as an annual event that was in its 6th year.
The Archbishop presented all awards to recipients, including cash, laptops, projectors and other items, to the winners, depending on their categories.
Teachers and schools of winning students were also presented prizes at the competition.