By Uzo Ugwunze
Graduating students of Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS) Onitsha have been tasked to uphold purity and integrity as they leave the secondary school environment into tertiary institutions and the larger society.
The charge was given to them during the 2024/2025 Valedictory service, Graduation/Prize-Giving day ceremony which held at the school auditorium, Onitsha.
Presenting her welcome address, the Principal AGGS Onitsha, Lady Maureen Anyaenetu urged the outgoing students to uphold “Purity, Integrity and Hardwork’ which were virtues that would help them achieve success in any area of endeavor as they grow into adulthood.
“My dear Graduands, I pray that you will forever be guided by your school motto – ‘Purity and Integrity’. You are now being exposed to realities of life where the idealistic theory of students may not be practicable.
” You should sit up. For you to succeed in life there must be hard work and discipline. You are going into a world where people have knowledge without character, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, business without morality, worship without sacrifice and act without reason,” said Lady Anyaenetu.
The Principal who was holding her last major program before bowing out of service was thankful to God, Anglican Bishop on the Niger, RT Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo and his wife Dr. Elsie (Mama Niger), Vice Principals, Form Teachers, teaching and non- teaching staff especially Abuchi Edogu the only Government Male teacher in AGGS Onitsha, Hostel mistresses, Education Boards’ Staff, Old Girls Associations, her husband Rt. Hon. Sir. Emeka Anyaenetu and her children for their immense support and contributions towards her successful career in Education and the prosperity of AGGS Onitsha.
Lady Anyaenetu whose achievements include instilling discipline, respect for teachers, cleanliness in the school called on Government to assist the school which is threatened by erosion saying that although state government sometimes ago did a palliative work by constructing a gutter across the school to check the flood menace but the erosion is still spreading.
Earlier in his homily, the Education Secretary, Diocese on the Niger, Ven Ndubuisi Izuchukwu admonished the Graduands from 1 kg 19 v 8 saying there are still things they need to eat and drink (imbibe) to be strengthened for the next 40 years in life. “4 years as an undergraduate, 1 year NYSC and 35 years of civil service”.
“Today is a day of separation..The world will swallow some of you, why some will stand out. You may be the best in class here but outside there you may be an employee of your junior in the future so make sure you are at peace with everyone because you don’t know what tomorrow holds. It is my prayer that you will be mountain top dwellers not push overs”, he said.
The Guest Speaker, Lady Dr. Ogochukwu Okpokwasili addressed the students on the need for Self discovery and Personal Growth saying, “Nobody knows you, your strengths and weaknesses more than yourself. Meditate,think, reflect, plan,seek feedback and improve on yourself. Try to form a synergy with each other, maintain the friendship you have forged and the memories you have formed together. Your set should form their alumni body and a WhatsApp platform. Don’t lose hope. Try new skills, if you fail in life, rise up and keep moving”.
According to Principal Community Secondary School Awa, and Old Girls 1985 Set Delegate which gifted several cash prizes to some of the best students and Best Teacher, Mrs Chijioke Njideka, the essence of the prizes and awards is to encourage the outstanding students and motivate others into healthy competition, to become hard working and well behaved so that they can receive their own awards. I advise the graduating students to go out there and struggle to become achievers in life so that they would be of help to people looking up to them for help and not liabilities.
“Meanwhile, my good will message is for Lady Anyaenetu who is going on retirement is for her to go and enjoy. She has fought a good fight and she has conquered. I pray that she will not sit down but engage herself to keep moving around so that she will not just retire and get tired”.
Moreso,Sir Charles Nsofor Occasion Chairman and AGGS Onitsha Board Member, Lady Nkiru Chiedu, School Chaplain, Bertram Igbokwe all advised the Graduands to be wary of how they navigate the larger society and life after school praying that the girls become women of substance like Chimamanda Adichie, Okonjo Iweka, Dora Akunyili.”They should guard themselves against influences with the knowledge of what they have learned these Six years in school”.
“On the Principal, I have been a member of the board since 2016. I have worked with three principals but Lady Anyaenetu has been very exceptional. She has recorded a lot of successes uplifting this school. I also advise the principal to continue in the same doggedness in her post civil service endeavors as a senior citizen,” said Nsofor.
Highlights of the event include presentation of prizes to outstanding students and teacher, unveiling of the puritans year books, cultural dances, etc.