Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has charged students of Madonna College of Health Technology Olokoro, MACOTECH, to pay adequate attention to their academics and avoid activities that will truncate their aim of enrolling into the Institution.
Governor Ikpeazu gave the charge through the state commissioner for post basic education, Barrister Chijioke Mark during the maiden matriculation ceremony of MACOTECH held at the college premises Olokoro in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State.
He noted that education based on technology is essential in the society and commended the matriculating students for the privilege, as well the management of the Institution for their vision to establish the college.
Governor Ikpeazu stated that the establishment of institutions like MACOTECH is one of his cardinal agenda and advised the students to be serious with their academic work. He called on all to join hands to make education better in Abia State, reminding the students that parents are happy when their children graduate with good results.
In his speech, the visitor to the college and Bishop Catholic diocese of Umuahia, Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji thanked the management of MACOTECH for safe delivery of the Institution.
Bishop Ugorji pointed out that the college will train quality health personnel and address the worrisome experience of graduates who are not employable in the society, frowning that it is not a good omen to lack personnel in the health sector.
He expressed happiness that despite some challenges, the Institution started with topnotch and high caliber of staff and promised the students that the sky would be their limit. Ugorji urged the students to embrace the life of integrity and shun corruption, drug abuse and evil company. He specifically thanked Dr Alex Otti and other prominent people that contributed to the success of the college.
The Chairman of MACOTECH Governing Council and former Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Professor Hillary Edeoga said the Catholic diocese of Umuahia most be commended for instituting the college especially now covid 19 is still ravaging the world.
Prof Edeoga
According to Professor Edeoga, the missionary institutions are the best now because the students have the opportunity to attend lectures and graduate within the academic calendar.
He explained students in missionary schools do not experience strike, cultism and social vices unlike public institutions and advised the students to shun truancy but ensure academic excellence.
The provost of the College, Reverend Father Christian Anokwuru said the college started on 16th November, 2020 with the approval of Bishop Lucius Ugorji, who donated part of the requirements needed for accreditation. He encouraged the students to study to be celebrated and make their parents proud, as God cannot do for them what they can do for themselves. Anokwuru urged them to subdue and conquer the world, as such they must first conquer themselves.
He encouraged the students to exhibit discipline, embrace good character, cultivate good habits and acquire the discipline that will carry them through in life. He maintained that excellent without character is a terrible catastrophe, hence he maintained that Madonna College of health technology Olokoro is a rising citadel of learning with the watchword “character and learning”. Reverend Father Anokwuru added that they are ready to raise excellent and responsible health professionals, who will stand out from the crowd through their character and quality training.
In his matriculation lecture, Reverend Father Professor Mich Uka charged the students to be prudent in spending and be satisfied with what they have, develop themselves to achieve their mission in the college. He reminded them that success deserves commitment, therefore, Professor Uka advised the students to be discipline, dedicated and marry determination, which he affirmed were the tools that would help them excel. He urged them to shun distractions, be worthy ambassadors, conquer fear and be focused.
Speaking on behalf of Ndi Eze, the chairman of Olokoro clan traditional rulers council and Okwu Mgba 1 one Okwu Olokoro, His Royal Highness, Eze Boniface Izuogu said the emergence of MACOTECH has added another feather in Olokoro and tanked the management for instituting the Institution in their domain.
Eze Izuogu seriously warned the students to shun cultism, drug abuse as stakeholder in Olokoro would not condole it in any form.
Meanwhile, the maiden matriculation featured the cutting of cake and attracted the presence of auxiliary Bishop, Catholic diocese of Umuahia, Most Reverend Michael Ukpon, Abia state Head of service, Sir Onyii Wamah, Abia state commissioner for health, Dr Joe Osuji represented by Dr Sam Ohaeri, community leaders, the clergy, parents among other stakeholders.
