By Ikenna Nwokedi

A total of 24 Pupils have graduated to the next level of their academic sojourn at the Canaan Valley Empowerment Foundation School (CVEFS) Amansea for the 2023-24 academic session.

This disclosure was made by an official of CVEFS Amansea on the occasion of the maiden graduation ceremony of the school held on Tuesday, 23rd July 2024 at the school premises domiciled in Amansea, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Eleven pupils graduated from Pre-nursery to Nursery One, Five pupils graduated from Nursery three to Basic One while Eight of them graduated from Primary Six class to Junior Secondary School (JSS) One.

In his remarks while declaring the event open, Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Ikenna Nwobi, JP, eulogized the education consultant, school management and teachers for their efforts, dedication and commitment in moulding and shaping the career of the pupils through character and learning.

Hon. Nwobi informed that the school which is less than a year in its existence is one of the best within the geographical location based on the intellectual display and unique character showcased by the pupils. He commended the Education Consultant and her team for upholding educational values while calling on parents and guardians to ensure they enroll their children and wards into the school.

In her address, the Education Consultant, Dr. Chizoba Umerah congratulated the graduating pupils stating that it is a thing of joy for the school to hold her maiden graduation ceremony with the remarkable point being that the school have produced pupils graduating from primary to secondary school. 

Dr. Umerah stated that the essence of the graduation ceremony is to showcase the school and her pupils to the world while emphasizing that the school strive for excellence in all aspects of education with curriculum developed to challenge and engage students, aiding their intellectual growth and encouraging them to think critically to be resilient and develop a love for long learning.

Dr. Umerah admonished the pupils entering the secondary school level to engage in independent study and learn things for themselves more than they have done at primary school in order to cope with future expectations. The Education Consultant thanked the parent of the pupils for being a key partner in their child's education.

In his remarks, Chukwuemeka Uzoma, a representative for Canaan Valley Empowerment Foundation who spoke on behalf of the Founder, Dr. Mrs Kenechukwu Ojogwu, informed that the Foundation is dedicated towards rescuing, raising and releasing young ones by helping them to achieve their dreams of acquiring formal education or learning a craft for self sustainability.

Uzoma disclosed that the foundation kick-started in 2022 and had their first outreach programme in Okpoko domiciled in Onitsha as well as Mgbakwu with two students who have benefitted from the project by graduating from the primary school and currently now having their post-primary education. He informed that the graduation ceremony was an opportunity to empower a pupil of the CVEFS towards achieving their dream of being educated.

On his part, Sir Alex Chukwunwike commended the school management for the effort made in getting the school to its current status and graduating her first set of pupils which is a sign of the rapid progression being made by the management of the school in both academics and administration. 

Mrs Adiba Oranye, Vice-Principal (Academic) UNIZIK High School Awka, commended the Education Consultant and her team at the school for ensuring that they truly apply the domains of education as can be seen by the brilliance and exhibitions of the pupils at the maiden graduation ceremony. Another scholar who expressed her views during the event was Dr. Anazodo of the Faculty of Education, UNIZIK.

In a vote of thanks, David Okwuchukwu thanked the school management for the mentorship in both formal and informal education which is crucial for their growth and well being. He promised to uphold the values even in the course of his secondary education.

Activities that made the maiden graduation ceremony colourful were song presentations, chorography, spelling bee, cultural dance, dressing competition and identifiation of shapes by the nursery pupils.

Highpoints of the occasion were presentation of certificates to the graduating pupils, presentation of gifts to pupils who were outstanding in various contests, awards to outstanding teachers as well as cutting of the graduation cake.