Members of St. Pius Xth Grammar School Onicha-Ugbo Old Boys Association on Saturday, converged on the premises of their great alma mater to celebrate its 65th anniversary, courtesy of the national body of the association.
The event, which was attended by notable old boys of the school, founded by the then Benin Catholic Diocese in January 1960, with Chief James Izah as the pioneer Principal, featured the unveiling of his boost, inauguration of the Board of Trustees, compendium review/presentation, award presentation, project launching, adoption of the national constitution and cutting of the anniversary cake.
In his welcome address, the National President of the association, code-named SPOBA, Chief Zealiwe Edmund Ojeogwu; thanked all Piusians whose commitment, intervention, moral and financial support helped to overcome the initial challenges the Planning Committee faced.
Chief Ojeogwu went down the memory lane to recall how the dream of the school was championed by the Onicha-Ugbo community in the early 50s, the communication with the Ministry of Education in the Western Region, the government authorisation in principle and the granting of the request for the school by the Benin Catholic Diocese.
He noted that government take over affected the school, until the handover in 2012 came to the rescue, expressing gratitude to God for 65 years of impact on the education system, with lots of prominent men across the professions to show.
Also speaking, the Principal of the School, Rev. Father Dr. Emmanuel Ogbolu; noted that the great knowledge St Pius Xth College imparted to its students could not be over exaggerated because products of the institution could be found in the national, international and global scenes, speaking of the great impartation of industry, struggles, dexterity, discipline and focus of all who passed through this institution and finally had gained from it.
Fr. Ogbolu, who is also the Chairman, Education Commission, Issele-Uku Diocese, pointed out that the history of St Pius earliest beginnings was the reason for the return of the school to its original administrators, having perceived the corrosion and degradation most of the pristine schools were suffering from on account of running them with government staff.
He stressed that the excavation of the past history remained the focal motivation embedded in the vision, challenge and encouragement given to students who had passed through the school since its return to the Catholic mission.
The Principal expressed appreciation to his predecessor, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Banye, who began the turn around of the school from the debris of total decay, and commended Piusians who considered the take over of the school as a challenge to restore its lost glory.
The occasion was chaired by a one-time Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Delta State, Chief Jery Osai, who said St. Pius had produced top notch characters and intellectuals, specially appreciating the Class of 84 for the great things they had done for the school.
Awards were presented to Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chief Prof Ibe Kachikwu, Maj Gen Laurence Fejokwu (rtd), Maj Gen Raymond Ochei (rtd), Rt. Hon Ndudi Elumelu, Barr. Andrew Odum, SAN, amongst others.
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