It was a memorable day in the History of Ufua Memorial Group of Schools Uromi and in the Diocese of Uromi as Management, Staff, students, Parents and Alumni of the school gathered to witness the formal ceremony of transfer of Management by the Proprietors, Prince Benedict and Dame Caroline Ewohime to the Catholic Diocese of Uromi. With an MOU between the Proprietors and the Catholic Diocese of Uromi already signed and sealed on the 25th of May, 2017, the ceremony marking this change of Management took place in the School on Wednesday 19th of July, 2017. In attendance were the Bishop of Uromi Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Donatus A. Ogun OSA and the Proprietors who were represented by their officially designated Family members in the persons of Barr. Benjamin Okoruwa and Prince Peter Uwagbale, the Administrator, Rev. Fr Kelvin Ibhaze, the Secretary to the Diocesan Education Commission and Principal of Lumen Christi International High School, Rev. Fr. Dr Theophilus Itaman as well as Rev Frs. Richard Oboh, Leonard Eigbokhan and Udo Peter. There were also representatives of the PTA and Alumni of the School at the gathering.
The ceremony began at 10.00am and the school Choir greeted the assembly with a melodious welcome song after the opening prayer. In his welcome address to the Bishop and the audience, the Administrator noted the significance of the event as it officially marked the Transfer of Management by the Proprietors to the Diocese of Uromi, an initiative of the Proprietors and duly welcomed by the Catholic Diocese of Uromi. He noted too that this event was taking place in the 22nd year of the schools inception and as the school prepared to graduate her 17th set. He commended the efforts and sacrifices of the Proprietors which have taken the school to this height and prayed for more blessings in the years ahead.
In his introductory remarks, Rev Fr Theophilus Itaman noted that today’s event does not imply a Change of Ownership of the school. It rather marks the Transfer of Management of the School as clearly stated in the MOU. Continuing his remarks, he stated that by this arrangement and effect from September 2017, the Uromi Diocesan Policy on Education will now govern the Management, Staff, students and Pupils of Ufua Memorial Group of Schools, thus giving the School a Catholic identity and naming it as a Learning Institution based on Catholic Principles of Education and where sound Catholic-educational values are taught as obtainable in existing Catholic schools.
Speaking in the name and behalf of the Proprietors, Barr. Benjamin Okoruwa noted that as a member of the Ewohime Family and having been with the Proprietors and in the Management of the school since inception, he could tell without hesitation that what is manifesting today has been the earnest desire of the Proprietors, who, being ardent Catholics, have always wished that the Catholic Church is involved in the continuous realization of the mission and vision of the school. In the name of the Proprietors and to the Glory of God, he then formally handed Ufua Memorial Group of Schools to the Catholic Diocese of Uromi for Management. The Bishop having received this presentation and thanked the Ewohime family, accepted the responsibility in the name of the Clergy, religious and entire laity of the Diocese of Uromi
Speaking on behalf of the students and pupils, the Senior Prefect of the School, Ms. Ebhohimen Martins expressed the joy of the students in having the Bishop in their midst. He thanked the Proprietors and the Bishop for this wonderful exchange of gestures which has established a formal relationship that will continue to benefit the entire school. On behalf of Staff, the Ag. Principal, Sir Omontuemen F.E, KSM equally expressed gratitude, reassuring the Bishop of their to cooperate and dedicate themselves to work according to the demands and dictates of the New Management of the School.
In his Final remarks, the Bishop thanked all Staff and Students, Parents and Alumni for their involvement with the school. He thanked the Ewohime Family in a special way for this wonderful gesture and admonished staff and students to positively embrace the demands of the new Management in diligence and dutifulness to work and studies. He highlighted the facts that the school remains open to Catholic and non-Catholic students and pupils as well as prospective ones provided they are ready to live by the moral and academic demands and maintain the standard of discipline for which Catholic Schools are known world over. Being a considerable threat to the intellectual future of young people today, the Bishop emphasized the need for all Staff and Students to continue to resist the temptations of Examination Malpractice by studying harder and harder to show themselves approved. He particularly challenged all students to be ready to participate and
compete well with their counterparts in any intellectual competition organized for Catholic Schools in the Diocese as this will keep their academic progress on the right track. Concluding his remarks, the Bishop announced the appointment of Rev Fr Kelvin Ibhaze as the New Principal of the School effect from September 2017. Until his New appointment, Fr Kelvin was the assistant Parish Priest of St Patrick, Ebhoiyi and the Administrator of Ufua Memorial Group of Schools.
By Staff Reporter
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