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By Johnson Adebowale
Excitement filled the air as Showers International High School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, celebrated the academic excellence of its graduating class of 2024. Students, teachers and parents gathered to honour the outstanding achievements of the students in a grand ceremony that highlighted the school’s dedication to educational success.
The event, held with fanfare, featured the presentation of certificates to the graduates, who excelled in their examinations, bringing pride to the institution. The school also celebrated its remarkable achievement of winning the British Council Recognition and Outstanding Cambridge Learners Award (BROCLA) for 2023 and 2024.
Amid the celebrations, elated managing director of the school, Ekama Emilia Akpan, congratulated the graduating class, affectionately referred to as the “Lion Class.” Akpan emphasized the school’s mission to impact the lives of youth through education, believing that a nation’s economic and spiritual development is tied to the education of its children.
“We believe our children are the future leaders of our nation,” Akpan stated. “We are careful to ensure that we teach them with objectives in mind to make them good leaders. Education for our youth is a great responsibility and we must all view it as one.”
Akpan also underscored the importance of integrity in academics, stressing that students must defend their results without resorting to cheating. Reflecting on the school’s journey, she recounted its humble beginnings as a tutorial centre in Port Harcourt in 1966, which has since evolved into a comprehensive secondary school with junior, senior and advanced level sections.
Highlighting the academic prowess of the class of 2024, Akpan proudly announced that three students scored over 300 in their JAMB examinations. Uche-Nwichi Joella Netoya Oluwatise, Dibor Jidenna Aaron, and Isaac-Okechukwu Fidel Chimdindu each achieved impressive aggregates, showcasing the school’s commitment to academic excellence.
Akpan also noted the students’ top grades in the British Council level examination at grade 10 (SS1), with two students, Jidenna Dibor and Joella Nwichi, earning BROCLA awards by scoring 91% in combined science in their first attempts. This achievement highlighted the school’s ability to compete at an international level and reinforced the academic potential of Rivers State students.
In her address, Akpan shared the inspiring story of Joella Nwichi, who transitioned from arts to science subjects under the school’s guidance and excelled in her British Council exams. “What a man can do, a woman can do,” Akpan remarked, celebrating Joella’s remarkable achievement and resilience.
Professor Athan Amasiatu of the Kinetics Department, University of Port Harcourt, delivered a keynote speec, “Sustainable hard work is the source of success.” He praised the efforts of the school’s management and parents, emphasizing that sustained hard work breeds a successful careers.
Amasiatu encouraged the graduates to maintain their dedication as they embark on the next phase of their educational journeys, reminding them that valuable achievements require time and effort.
Amasiatu outlined his 5Ds of distinction: desire, determination, dedication, discipline and developing character. He urged the students to embrace continuous learning and build their capacity to stay relevant in their fields, reinforcing the importance of hard work and character development.
The event also featured a heartfelt speech by valedictorian Jidenna, who expressed gratitude to his parents and the school for their support. He reminisced about the sacrifices made to achieve academic success and promised to continue striving for excellence. Jidenna shared how his father’s encouragement and rewards for academic achievements spurred his curiosity and love for learning.
The celebration was graced by an official from the West African Examination Council (WAEC), John Zakka, who commended the school’s high educational standards and discipline. He praised the school’s stance against cheating, which has earned it great respect and regard. Zakka emphasized that hard work is the key to success and warned against the dangers of seeking shortcuts to achievement.
The sevent concluded with a collective sense of pride and optimism for the future as Showers International High School continues to foster academic excellence and integrity in its students, preparing them to become future leaders.
