From Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka
Sunday, August 7, 2023, will remain memorable in the annals of the Friend Of Friends Schools, Akamili-Umudim, Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as the school marked its 27th graduation ceremony in grand style.
The event held at the school premesis in Akamili-Umudim, Nnewi, was kick-started with church service, which was witnessed by Mr. Uche Gabriel Umeh, Chief Ifeatu Okagbue, Dr. Nnemeka Godwin Umedum (a Consultant at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka), Dr. Chukwudum Somadina Okoli, Pastor Nnajiofor Jerry Ugo, Iwo Princewill, Mr. Justice Imoh, parents/guardians, among others.
In his opening speech during the event, the proprietor of the Friend Of Friends Schools, Akamili-Umudim, Nnewi, Mr. Okeke-Enyobi Caleb Festus, remarked that the school, established in 1993, was the 3rd to be established in Umudom, Nnewi, and one of the first 10 schools to be established in Nnewi.
Mr. Okeke, who also displayed medals of different categories won by his pupils at various competitions (including Mathematics and sports competitions), also urged the graduating pupils, as well as other pupils in the school, to aspire for the best in life, and assured that the school would do it’s best to ensure that the enviable standard set by the school’s founding fathers, is sustained.
He also listed lack of adequate power supply, poor security network, lack of toilet facilities, poor road network linking the school to the urban places, inadequate sports facilities, among other things, as factors limiting the school’s growth and proper development.
While assuring that he would use his wealth of experience to make the school one of the best in academic, sports and vocational studies, Okeke further appealed to government, NGOs, and well-to-do individuals to encourage Friend Of Friends Schools and it’s pupils to achieve it set goals, by awarding scholarship to indigent ones.
Speaking to our correspondent on the condition anonymity, a parent, who spoke on behalf of others, commended the management of the school for setting a good standard of education for it’s pupils.
She said, “My two children were schooling at a certain school before I transferred them to Friend Of Friends Schools. When they were in their former school, they hardly spelt words correctly, and hardly wrote well.
“But when they were brought here, everything changed for the better. Today, I am proud of my children in both learning and character. I am sure others parents will have similar testimony to share.
“I advise the school management to maintain the tempo. I will also urge parents and teachers on this school to cooperate with management to achieve it’s lofty goals.”
Also speaking on the condition of anonymity, an alumnus of the school, who also witnessed the ceremony, commended the school management for maintaining good standard of education since inception.
He, however, lamented lack of electricity and access road to the school; happing that the situation is affecting the spate of infrastructural development of the school, and called on Gov. Soludo, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Hon. Chris Azogbogu to come to their rescue.
A pupil of the school, Master Kamsi Obika, who also spoke to our reporter, rated the standard of education in the school very high. He commended teachers in the school for their high dedication, and urged other parents to consider bringing their wards to the school for quality education and development.
The ceremony featured songs and dramas from the pupils, presentation of gifts to the pupils by the school management, display of medals won by the school at different competitions, among other things.