AS Christians all over the world prepare for Christmas celebration, the pupils and students of Maris Schools, Amachai, Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, have urged Nigerians to remember Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State in their prayers.
The Senior Prefect, Maris Secondary School, Master Mathew Fynecountry, made the call in an address he read at the year 2022 edition of Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols of the school.
He noted that Sen. Dr. Okowa, has done very well since 2015 when he emerged as Governor of Delta State and should be encouraged to become Nigeria’s Vice President in 2023.
The full text of his address is presented below:
WELCOME ADDRESS DELIVERED BY MASTER MATHEW FYNECOUTRY, SENIOR PREFECT, MARIS SECONDARY SCHOOL, AMACHAI, OKPANAM, OSHIMILI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE AT THE YEAR 2022 EDITION OF FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS OF MARIS SCHOOLS.
(Protocol)
We welcome you to the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols of Maris Schools. Maris Schools is located in an education-friendly environment at Amachai, Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area within the Delta State Capital Territory. The school which comprises Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools, provides flexible and cozy learning spaces for children.
It was conceptualized to enhance good moral training and prepare well-inspired future leaders through a system of Nursery, Primary and Secondary Education.
The gate of Maris Schools was opened to pupils and students in the month of September, 2018 following a successful thanksgiving Mass celebrated by an array of Catholic Priests at the school compound on Wednesday, 25th July, 2018.
As the management of the school assured our parents and guardians, standard facilities that are in tune with 21st century learning environment are not being compromised as international standards, with great attention to the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria, are adhered in ensuring that students of Maris Schools compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.
Today is very significant, especially as we anticipate the great feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We started with Holy Mass for this year’s celebration to thank God for His goodness to the school, the pupils, students, parents, our benefactors and benefactresses, and our Spiritual Advisers.
Academically, we are doing well and we thank our parents for believing that God will use Maris Schools as a good training ground for us.
As an institution established in memory of Stella-Maris Chukwufunimnenya Egugbo, it is still young, and we believe that God will provide for you to assist us to grow and contribute to making the society better. We most humbly solicit your assistance to enable us fix necessary facilities at Maris Schools. Based on location, we need buses, finance to boost our facilities, scholarship for indigent and intelligent students/pupils, among others.
God has used you to assist us to this stage, He that knows all will certainly, touch you to assist us the more. Kindly reach us on +2348032933933 or through our bankers: Zenith Bank Plc, Account Number: 1017189528 NAME OF ACCOUNT: Maris Secondary School.
“… your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6.
It is important that we remember our Governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in our prayers as he prepares to leave office on May 29, 2023 as Governor for further national assignments as the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria by the grace of God. His passion for the growth of education is legendary – establishment of new primary and secondary schools at different locations, reviving technical education and establishment of technical schools simultaneously in different local government areas of the state, establishment of three universities at once; training and equipping of youths, the unemployed to be employers of labour through different skill acquisition programmes, among others. Without mincing words, his administration has in several ways, assisted us to grow to this stage as an institution, especially with the appointment of our proprietor, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo as his Special Assistant on Media.
Our Nigeria of today is full of uncertainties, but we have faith that proper upbringing of children, fervent prayers for peace, goodwill and understanding rising with hymns and carols to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ can make the difference.
The choir shall render most of the songs but the congregation plays a central role as it involves the coming together of everyone in making joyful noise to the Lord. The prayers and scripture readings, the great hymns and the soaring music of the choir, by the grace of God, is our Christmas tradition.
Please listen intently, pray and sing with your heart, mind, and voice.
Once again, we thank you for attending this memorable event.
Welcome!
Master Fynecountry Mathew
Senior Prefect,
Maris Secondary School”
At the well attended event, the President, Executive Committee of Friends (EXCOF), Mr Sunday Edoge, Chairman, Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), Mr. Emmanuel O. Enebeli,
Chairman, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), Delta State Council, Comrade Sonia Unobunjo, Mr Theo Bayoko, immediate past Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Correspondents Chapel, Asaba, Comrade Paul Osuyi, Sir Godwin Iyawa, including pupils and students of Maris Schools took lessons at the event which featured special presentations by choir groups from St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Okpanam and Catholic Church of the Ascension, Asaba.
The General Manager, Delta Printing and Publishing Company Limited, publishers of The Pointer Newspapers, Comrade Monday Uwagwu, Mr. A. Osaneku, Mr Dennis Medi, Sir P.A.B. Iyawa, among others, graced this year’s festival which was anchored by Mr Stephen Nweke of Levoski entertainment.
Earlier in a Homily during the celebration of Holy Mass, Rev. Fr. Malachy Okonkwo of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Okpanam, stated that everything about Christmas is love.
He urged Christians to show their love for Jesus Christ, by loving their neighbours and engaging in acts of charity.
The Holy Mass featured special Thanksgiving by the pupils, students, parents, management and staff of Maris Schools.
