From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
It was celebration galore, a day of reward for excellence and appreciation to God for his boundless blessings for British Spring College, Awka, Anambra state during its 2023 graduation ceremony.
Sir Godson Iheaku Auditorium, venue of the ceremony brimmed with shining colours, wonderful aesthetic designs even as parents, graduating students, family and well-wishers and the college management all turned out in elegant designs, beautiful and smiling faces all through.
The day started with the acknowledgement of the immense graces of God as the Archbishop of Awka, Anglican Communion, Alexander Ibezim, represented by the Archdeacon, Venerable Chukwudi David Ezeobi ministered in a valedictory service.
Archbishop Ibezim in his sermon noted that good name is better than all riches combined and said that good name which also brings many riches can be achieved by embracing Jesus Christ.
He admonished the graduating students to avoid adopting the Machiavellian Principle of ‘the end justifies the means ‘ but rather go for ‘the means justifies the end’
He prophesised that as the graduating students dressed as Kings and Queens, such royalty will always manifest in their lives even as he prayed for parents of the graduands that God will help them realise all their aspirations and visions for their children.
Director, British Spring College, Lady Uju Dike in an address while welcoming guests to the momentous occasion described the graduands as exceptional students.
She described the last few years spent with the students as one filled with countless memories, challenges and accomplishments noting that within the period too, the graduands have evolved and grown into incredible individuals being celebrated presently.
“As the school director, it has been an honour to witness your personal and academic growth. Your resilience, determination and passion have been truly inspiring. As you embark on your journey outside British Spring College, remember the friendships you have made here, the lessons learnt and the experiences that have shaped you. You are not just leaving our school; you have become part of the larger world waiting to be shaped by your imbibed talents and perspectives. Remember the values that have carried you thus far-, integrity, compassion and a commitment to excellence.
“As you embark on your future endeavours, embrace every challenge and never stop pursuing your dreams . As you step into the world, remember that you carry the legacy of our school with you, Let it serve as a constant reminder of the incredible potentials that lies within you. It is now time to pursue your dreams and make positive impact to our society through the skills and knowledge you have been given at British Spring College.” She said.
Lady Dike also appreciated the staff, management and the support staff members too who all contributed in moulding the students into better graduates.
Chairman of the Occasion, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu , Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka represented by Dr Okwudili Ezeamama while congratulating the graduands asserted that education is not a scam as some misguided people might think. He said education helps individuals to grow into better peoples even as he advised them to imbibe the virtues of hard work and dedication abhorring all vices , choosing of illegal means to success and shortcuts.
The graduating Head Boy, Idemili Chizanum in an address said they are in a threshold of a new chapter opening up in their lives noting that they learnt various invaluable lessons of life in resilience and other virtues even as he confirmed that they remain part of the larger family of British Spring College anywhere they may be in future.
The Head Girl in her own speech praised Lady Uju Dike for the most vital roles she played positively in their formation in school.
In the award category, it was truly a reward for excellence as the students who excelled in various subjects and external examinations were rewarded with cash prizes and award plaques. Ujah Chizitelu and Arinze Melvin opened the floodgate of awards when they got cash rewards of N30,000 each for emerging the Best Behaved Girl and Boy respectively. Igwebuike Chisimdi also clinched the Most Improved Student Award.
In the Best in Subject Award Category, Onubogu Chinazom led the pack when she carted away five awards with N60,000 cash reward in each category in subjects like Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Economics and Further Mathematics.
Onubogu was followed by Udeze Adora who also carted four prizes with the same monetary reward of N60, 000 each in Computer Studies, Mathematics English language and Igbo Language.
The likes of Charles Akuoma, Chukwujimbe Jenniffer and Anyabolu Marvel tied in clinching two best subjects awards each too in Literature in English, Government, Civic Education, Technical Drawing, Geography and Animal Husbandry.
Ujah Chizitelu was the best in French, Christian Religious Knowledge was Fabian-Egun Nnedimma while Amobi Amara was the best too in Financial Accounts. Dike Kamsy was the best in Data Processing while Chukwujimbe Stephanie clinched that of Catering even as Ojimba Lauretta was the best too in Commerce.
In External Examination, Onubogu Chainazom won the best prize in IGCSE while Nwani Emmanuel made the highest JAMB Score from the school with 345 . The two were rewarded with cash awards of N200,000 each
For the Best Graduating Students Award, Udeze Adora was crowned the Valedictorian as the 1st overall Best Graduating student while Onubogu Chinazom followed suit as the Second Overall Best Graduating Students and Nwani Emmanuel as the Third Best. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd places were rewarded with cash prizes of N300, 000, N250, 000 and N200, 000 respectively.
The Valedictorian, Udeze Adora who said he wants to be a world renowned physiotherapist in a chat with Daily Sun expressed excitement that what she worked for was being realised gradually.
Parents of the valedictorian, Chief Eugene and Lady Justina Udeze expressed gratitude to God for the grace of sustenance and also gave kudos to British Spring College for blazing the trail in quality education and grooming of young people into excellence in life.
They recalled that their daughter maintained the best from her year one to the finals .
Principal (Ag.) of the College, Kcent Obi in a vote of thanks congratulated the graduands and expressed hope that they would maintain the high standard they have been exposed to while they sojourned in the school.
“Thrive to succeed for nothing is given on a platter of gold, and you will soon reap the fruits of your efforts and hard work” he said.
He also appreciated the parents for being wonderful partners in the business of grooming the emerging icons for their glorious future.