The Madonna College of Health Technology (MACOHTECH) Olokoro, Umuahia, has held her first matriculation ceremony with a charge for students to pursue their academics with all seriousness.
Speaking at the maiden ceremony, the Provost of the Institution, Rev Father Christian Uche Anokwuru, charged the students to study hard, so that the investments on their education and training would not be in vain.
In an address captioned, “God Cannot Do For You,What You Can Do For Yourself”, the Provost encouraged the students not to defeat the efforts of their parents but strive to make them proud.
Commissioner for Post Basic Education,Barr Chijioke Mark
He said the students should not waste time chasing frivolities while on campus,but be diligent in their study, because God will not do it for them.
“People fail in life not because they aim too high and miss, but simply because they aim too low and hit it.
“You need some good doses of determination, hard work, discipline, patience and honesty, to make it here. Do your best to show serious commitment and discipline required to study health related courses in a Catholic institution”,he said.
According to Rev Fr. Anokwuru, MACOHTECH is a rising citadel of learning with a watch word of Character and Learning, adding that the institution is on an upward tragectory of becoming one of the best health institution in the South- East region.
He further disclosed that the school belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Umuahia and was founded in the year 2020, with the vision of being ethical in service.
While expressing gratitude to the pioneer students, their parents/guardians for reposing a great confidence on the institution, commended the former Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU), who is also the Chairman Governing Council of MACOHTECH,Prof Hillary Edeoga, for his firmness of purpose, sacrifices, thoughtfulness and resolute disposition in moving the institution forward.
In his Message, the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev Lucius Ugorji, thanked the host community, Olokoro clan, for the cordial relationship shared with the church, commending the Madonna Hospital for the safe delivery of MACOHTECH, urging them to nurture the school with care.
According to the Cleric, MACOHTECH is a big dream come through,as it would help address the issue of unemployment among the youth,as well as train the youths on the needed skill which they lack for job market.
Bishop Ugorji expressed joy that the school is able to kick start with top notch facilities,high caliber of staff, enjoining the students to make good use of the facilities at their disposal.
He, however, urged the students to shun cultism, corruption, indolence and embrace the life of discipline, hardwork, making tolerance their benchmark.
Earlier, the Chairman Governing Council of the Institution, Prof Hillary Edeoga,congratulated the matriculants for emerging as the pioneer students of the institution,stating that they should pursue their future with all diligence,as the intention of their parents/guardians is for them to become the best, adding that in their pursuit, they should acknowledge who they are and what they want for themselves (Self Discovery), as well as understand the power of association, adding that if they understand these things,it would help them in their academic pursuit.
He urged the students to be selective of who they spend their time with and the things they spend time on,as negative association can drag them from their goal.”You have to understand that to be great,you need some eagles in your life.People that soar, people that are doing great things.Such people will serve a great push to your destiny.
“Furthermore, I wish to categorically state and as well, imprint in your mind that academic excellence is every student’s birthright.Nobody is born bright or dull.You only work your way to academic excellence through self discipline translated in dedication, determination and commitment,while some others work themselves into academic dullards, through idleness, translated in shutting their minds, sleeping and snoring.You can choose to work yourself into greatness and become celebrated through self discipline and self mastery, dedication, committed and diligent to the task before you”,he stated.
The Commissioner for Post Basic Education,Barr Chijioke Mark,in his speech, charged the students to shun lackadaisical attitude, cultism and any vice that can stand as a barrier to their academic excellence.
“Dont come in here if you are a cultist,else Holy ghost fire will take you away”.
The Commissioner commended the Catholic Church for the feat, as the school will serve as an aid to the government, since public schools can nolonger accommodate everyone.” This school will also help to give accomodation to those who cannot get admission from public schools”.
The Vice Chairman of Umuahia South Traditional Rulers Council and Chairman of Olokoro Clan Traditional Rulers Council, Eze B.I Izuogu,while interacting with the Press, assured the school of their cooperation, stating that the Olokoro clan is ready to rise against cultism and as well other vices that might impede development in the school.
