By Chukwuemerie Anyene
British Spring College’s Ogbuagu Nzube has emerged as the 2022 Valedictorian, after bagging the BSC Award of Excellence in International General Certificate in Secondary Education (IGCSE).
His citation, which generated resounding applause, was read by the popular Broadcast Journalist, Sidney Aneke, during the 7th graduation/valedictory session at Sir Godson Nwosu Iheaku’s Auditorium.
“He is a keen observer and has a big heart. His mind is constantly racing with thoughts,” Nzube’s success story reads. The best student of the class of 2022 had also swept the highest cumulative scores in subjects like Economics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Another BSC graduating student, Nwokoye Victor was also lauded for scoring 330 in the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Other students rewarded for excelling in various subjects were Ojukwu Chidebelu Emmanuel who has been given admission into the United States of America; the daughter of Hon Justice Madu of the Enugu State Customary Court of Appeal, Madu Ifechinyelu; Obiakor Chidimma, the best-behaved girl; and many others.
The event, witnessed by captains of industries, policymakers, religious, educational, political and opinion leaders, confirmed how society was accessed by the way it treated education. Inscriptions such as “Your footprint of excellence is everywhere,” “Class of 2022, you are capable of doing great things,” “You are our shining stars,” “Your groundbreaking record rings a bell” “continue soaring higher,” “you are already on the path of progress, change the world,” among others led people coming into the school, with water from the fountain rushing all day.
On her arrival, the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh hailed the out-going students as great. She expressed delight over the hymnal songs of the BSC choral group, saying they were mind-lifting in praising God. The Honourable Commissioner marvelled at what she saw in the task-oriented world-class innovative school. Advocating for Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s quality and standard education, the Educational Administrator of the state, said her coming to British Spring College was the first time she was stepping into a school that should be called a school in Anambra.
She finally charged the out-going students to live up to the knowledge they had been disposed to, as citizens of ‘Ndi’ Anambra. “I am still amazed by what I saw. I am so impressed by what I saw. This is the first time that I am stepping into a school in Anambra, a school that should be called a school. “It is not easy to train a child. And that will make you live up to the knowledge you have been disposed to, as citizens of Anambra State,” she stated.
In her address, the Director of British Spring College, Lady Uju Dike lauded the class of 2022 of the school for scoring 330 in UTME and A*’s in the IGCSE exam. At the graduation/valedictory session, with the theme ‘Footprints of Excellence, the Director hinted sides on remarkable heights, exemplary leadership, and exceptional and magical moments the out-going students had experienced over the past six years.
According to her, they were able to floor the records of previous sets, as a result of their tenacity, resilience and determination. “How the path you have been familiar with ends today!” Lady Dike expressed. She wanted them to look back at their post-primary years to see if they were ready for that moment, their next phase of life.
Describing the students’ future as bright, the educational philanthropist and human capacity builder, Lady Dike saw the students as capable of doing great things. Lady Dike acknowledged the efforts of BSC expert teachers and the entire staff of the school for their dedication, patience, hard work and passion, praying to God to always strengthen them.
It was gathered that the school Auditorium was named after BSC Director’s Dad, Dr Sir Godson Nwosu Iheaku’s Auditorium, fondly called ‘Omenkeahurunanya 1 of Osina, for raising her to be successful.
The final paragraph of her graduation speech reads:
“I will not end this address without appreciating my late Dad, Dr Sir Godson Nwosu Iheaku, ‘Omekeahurunanya 1 of Osina,’ who is duly represented by his son and my brother, Sir Chineme Iheaku.
I named this auditorium after my dad because he trained me and made me who I am today. All the pages of my success stories will have his name inscribed in them.” Meanwhile, the Bishop of Ikeduru Diocese under the Owerri Province of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Rt Rev’d Emmanuel Mmaduwike, said he was overwhelmed by the capacity building, infrastructural and human development in the school.
The Anglican Bishop held that being human was a journey of purpose, assuring the outgoing students that he would continue to pray for them. “People of God, it is my pleasure to begin this day, not only that my daughter and her mates are stepping out from this citadel of post-primary formation into a higher phase but I feel so nice to be with you. I am overwhelmed by what is happening here – the capacity building, infrastructural and human development,” he said.
In his homily, The Spiritual Father of the occasion, The Rt Rev’d Mmaduwike declared that the performance of BSC students had always been excellent because they made excellence their footprints. According to him, “excellence is a sign of the presence of God in your life.”
Speaking on the competitive nature of life, The Rt Rev’d Mmaduwike, whose daughter, Zara was also graduating from college, saw excellence as the virtue the students would use to win any battle. Giving his farewell speech, the immediate past Head Boy of the school, Godwin Timothy was grateful to God for the gift of life and their success.
“Today, we turn a new chapter – the last day in high school,” he stated. Also speaking, the out-going Head Girl, Inyima Gold captured how BSC was “programmed in such a way that when you graduate, you will have a skill.”
Recalling they worked together during their stay, the incumbent Head Boy of the school, Idemili Chizanum declared that the Class of 2022, had become siblings to other BSC students. He felt a kind of nostalgia, saying they would miss the outgoing students.
Chairman of the graduation/valedictory session and Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Charles Esimone, Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof Fredrick Odibo observed that BSC 7th graduation coincided with the 7th day and 7th month of 2022.
In his remark, he appealed to the graduating students to always remember British Spring College, even as they got admitted into various universities across the globe.
The photoshoot segment of the graduation took place at Odibenze Hall of British Spring College. Highlights of the event were procession, national, state and school anthems, media parade (documentary), music interlude, procession, presentation of awards, dance drama, farewell song, refreshment of all kinds, cutting of graduation cake and toast.
With that, the students automatically became alumni of British Spring College, Awka. What interested parents most in school was how BSC students turned into artists, choral groups, organisers, DJs, stage performers and orators, in a very powerful way.
The graduation week was a beehive of activities. BSC class of 2022, on 3rd July, held their last service with the Director of British Spring College, Lady Uju Dike. The two-hour-long tradition service and the first inter-denominational to take place at Sir Godson Nwosu Iheaku’s Auditorium was classic.
Drawing his sermon from Psalm 103:1-10 and Luke 17:4-19 on the theme “My Year of Thanksgiving,” the officiating priest, Rev’d Afam Udeh, declared that there would be no limit to what the out-going BSC students would achieve. He commended the Director and parents of BSC students for giving the best education to the students. The Chaplain finally blessed BSC, praying for unity, love and thanksgiving to be sustained in the College.
Meanwhile the Director, Lady Dike appreciated Almighty God for his mercies and grace to the BSC Class of 2022, especially the gift of life. Her testimony was coming on the heel of the groundbreaking records of the students whose scores the just released UTME result skyrocketed to 330. Others that also spoke on BSC divine progress were the out-going Head Boy, Timothy and a House Parent. Music was playing – the mood electrifying.
In his vote of thanks, the Principal (Ag) of the world-class innovative school, Mr K. Cent Obi appreciated the Priest, Director, SMT, EMT, staff and students of the College, for making the event historic.
He finally declared 7th July 2022 as the Graduation Day and Valedictory Session for the Class of 2022. Attention later shifted to the celebrating students taking pictures with the Chaplain, Director and BSC staff, amidst water running from the school fountain, and other scenic designs. The student’s outfits were both stunning and dazzling.
The following Tuesday, 5th July 2022, there was a pool at the school swimming pool, with the graduating students swimming and basking in the euphoria of comradeship. The party started at 2:00 pm and lasted till 5:00 pm, with BSC lifeguards positioned inside and outside the pool to ensure that no harm is done to any of the students. The students all wore their parachutes, in line with the safety and safeguarding rules.
Prom night on the eve of 4th July 2022, with the theme ‘Night of euphoria,’ saw many artists perform on the stage. Prom king and queen, best dressing boy and best dressing girl, and others were carefully selected after a keenly contested show.
The organising quality of the activities was thrilling and engaging. There was a particular aura or rhythm that went with it, which heralded the graduation valedictory session. These were coming after the last social night the college had organised in honour of the graduating student on 2nd July 2022.
Recall that last year, British Spring College (BSC), under the Directorship of Lady Uju Dike, was portrayed as the Silicon Valley of our 21st century.This portrayal was made known by the Immediate Past President of Academy Management of Nigeria, Ven. Prof Anayo D. Nkemnebe, during the 2021 graduation/valedictory session of BSC at Awka.
In his opening address as the Chairman of the valedictory session, Ven. Prof Nkemnebe who was a Director of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School praised BSC students, describing BSC as one of the most competitive schools across the globe and as an engine of innovations.
“Now, whenever I come to school, what comes to my mind is the Silicon Valley in San Francisco. Silicon Valley is a place of innovation that gave birth to international brands that changed humanity. From there you have Apple, Google, Yahoo and the rest.
“And when you look at what is happening at British Spring College, it is obvious that they are the Silicon Valley of our time. Not necessarily because the school is situated in the valley but because they have succeeded in developing young minds that are infused with the power of innovations. Minds that can go places.”
Prof Nkemnebe went down the memory lane of how the school was constructed last ten years in the valley, with the vision of raising a “generation of students with the right tools, skills, moral and mental abilities to excel in life and contribute positively to the development of mankind.”
“Ten years ago when they were still constructing British Spring College. I asked the person that I met. This school in the valley, what is it all about and the person I may not still recognise again, took me around and took his time to explain in lofty terms the objectives and ideals of the school. And ten years after, they have lived up to expectation,” he narrated.
Praying God to continue increasing the school dexterity in developing minds that would meet the ever-changing dynamism of this time, he wanted British Spring College to be established in other locations of the country. He reiterated how their quality education correlated with development.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger, Most Rev’d Dr Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, Represented by Vicar of the Church of Pentecost, Ven. Nkemdirichukwu Wilfred Nwafor observed the graduating students had a wonderful future and a robust destiny. Drawing his sermon from Gen. 1:26 and 28, Psalm 8:4, Prov 22:29 and Psalm 10:5, he declared the out-going students would stand before kings if they were diligent, focused and persistent in completing tasks.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Emerging Achievers,” the Anglican Priest called on the outgoing students to have goals, maximise time and put extra effort into realising their glorious divine potentials. The students were also charged to have a clear vision so as not to lose direction, passion and enthusiasm. Ven Nwafor further spoke on integrity and admonished the students to be mindful of the friends they keep. His homily reads in part:“Who is your friend? Do you not know that evil communications corrupt good manners. If you don’t have Jesus, what you achieve will be limited. Let your life in secret be the same outside.“I want to bring it to our mind: Either by death or by rapture, you will stand before the judgement seat of God. This same Jesus you deny today will come again to be your judge. And the standard of his judgement is according to his word.“Our parents, our dear students that we have come to celebrate, have you reconciled with Jesus? The day is far spent. Very soon the trumpet will sound. And we will all go back to meet our Maker. Will you meet Jesus smiling or will you meet Him crying?
“On that day we will meet Jesus, our title, our bank account, our connection, will not be counted. What will count is how you lived your life,” the Spiritual Father preached.
In his address, the Principal of the world-class school, Mr Joseph Ozioko, recounted British Spring College’s unrivalled academic success, serene atmosphere, conducive learning environment, and the institution’s 21st-century digital method of teaching and learning.
Mr Ozioko gave statistics of the school’s ground-breaking records, ranging from the Presidential Award for the Young Scientist of Nigeria, Cowbell, Olympiad and other international trophies. There was a thunderous hand of applause when he stated how the world-class school, had 100% excellent pass in the recent WAEC and NECO. He further described their performance in IGCSE, WAEC, NECO and SAT as legendary. The Principal saw the students as innovators, scientists, technocrats, administrators, artists, writers, surgeons, etc., set to use education as the most powerful tool to change the world.
“As you prepare to face the world, remember my advice. Out there, there is no Principal… there is no Head of Pastoral… there are no Academic Supervisors. As I always tell you, there are usually two parts to work through – the wider path which many people will want to toe and the narrow but difficult path, which very few but students with wisdom will always like to take.
“Always follow the very tough path because that is the path that leads to greatness… that is the path that leads to success. The theme is emerging achievers and my prayer is that at the end, you will emerge, achievers,” the school administrator, wished.
Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, High Chief Dr Uche Nworah, urged the students to brace up for the competition they were about to face in society. According to him, British Spring College students have every reason to succeed in this era of computers, Facebook, Instagram, and smartphones, where knowledge was at their fingertips to do assignments. He charged the out-going students to take advantage of what the world had to offer.
“Once you leave here, I want to let you know that the journey has just started. When you look at the history of man, you know how we all started. From the first industrial revolution, we moved to the second and have found ourselves in the third. The fourth one is being propelled by ICT. You can live at Awka and go for conferences in America,” the Special Guest of Honour, Dr Nworah explained.
The out-going Head Boy, Master Chukwuemerie Success, recalled how far they had gone in BSC, with teachers always there to correct them. He also acknowledges the roles house parents played in their upbringing.
“In this journey, we have never been perfect, but teachers worked tirelessly and were always there to correct us. We apologise for whatever happened because the school has our interests at heart. And whatever transpired is now history,” he stated. Prefect of the School, Master Godwin Timothy noted that the 2021 class of students achieved so much and had set high academic standards. He promised the school that the present Year 12 students would do more.
Lauding the Valedictorian, Udeze Chisom, he said the out-going students, from that day, had officially become alumni of the school. He believed they “would represent the school well wherever they see themselves.”
Highlights of the event were the procession, chorals, media parade, presentation of awards, and cutting of cakes. The three best graduating students came in this order: the out-going Head boy, Success Chukwuemerie; Ajawara Kimberly, already studying at Pacific University, United States, with an accelerated doctorate. The overall best graduating student was Udeze Chisom.
There was respect, his set was already standing, the moment Chisom was declared the overall 2021 best student and the Valedictorian. There was a hug from the father to his son, for bringing glory to his parents. Music was playing. Chisom, a student with 5A* in IGCSE, and 7A’s in WAEC, was greeted with a standing ovation by everyone that attended the event, across the world. The popular Broadcast Journalist, who anchored the program, Sidney Aneke, read his profile before the best student gave his valedictory speech.
Chisom was described as a student loaded with enormous possibilities. Always armed with pen and paper, he writes down thoughts, inspirations and conceived ideas fuelling his mind. He writes creatively and stays creatively alive. His performance throughout his six years in BSC was legendary. Despite the climatic change, he continued to move faster than the speed of a sound. He was a diamond student throughout his stay in the world-class school.
He is also newsworthy of his unrivalled success and continues to hold tenaciously to the expectations of the school. He has won numerous trophies in competitions because of consistency and perseverance. He believes in his ability and in what he can do. His academic achievements are satisfactorily intimidating. Chisom has proven that we can write exams and excel. Despite the COVID-19 hysteria or problems associated with it, he has been able to write his success story.
The school lawyer, Barr Nsofor, finally swore in the eighty-five out-going students as British Spring College alumni.
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