Sudents' Participation In Cultural Festival, Promotes Values, Enhances Inter-Communal Relationship, Say Principals' Of Ndegwu Secondary School

By Bright Eluagu

The management of Ndegwu Secondary School in Umunwoha, Owerri West LGA of Imo State, led by Chief Mrs Nwosu Gladys, principal, (SS), and Lady Nwosu J.C, principal (JSS), have disclosed that students' participation in cultural day, and inter-house sports celebrations would make them great ambassadors of their various communities, as well as distinguish them amongst their contemporaries.

This admonition was part of the welcome address jointly signed by the school administrators during their cultural day celebration, which attracted personalities from all walks-of-life.

Chief Mrs Nwosu who presented the address, said that the importance of cultural celebrations cannot be over stressed, adding that it offers the students to know more about their culture, and values, which would give them a better understanding of their history, adding that organizing such an event is vital as it promotes social development, unity and prosperity in the society.

Hear her: " cultural day celebration is a great way to bring a community of students, and staff together. It is a sum total of people's way of life _ and it is multidimensional in nature, and very encompassing."

Continuing, " the good aspect of cultural day festival is that Igbo language and cultural values are highly enhanced, students of Igbo extraction communicate and relate efficiently with one another, hence the community is Igbo environment, Igbo language will receive a wider advancement."

She pointed out that  since assumption of office as the principal of the Senior Secondary Section, she has continued to boost the morale of students through regular monitoring of their lessons, as well as engaging them in healthy academic competitions. " The school has recorded impressive achievements, which include: discipline amongst students, punctuality to school by staff and students, checking of lateness, littering and loitering, regular cleanliness of the school compound, promotion of effective teaching and learning through regular monitoring, recognition and appreciation of deserving staff and students in order to challenge others for excellence, and purchase of school cultural instruments by the new administration.".

She further stated that the school was in need of a befitting library, employing able hands to beef up security in the school, raising the dwarf fencing for proper security, noise reduction and regulating loitering, extension of electricity to the school for general use, good sports equipment, more teachers to handle disginated subjects, as well as more class rooms, and a school bus for excursions/staff welfare outings, even as she debunked some negative reports in some section of the media about the state of things in the school.

On his part, the Eze Elect of Ndegwu, Sir Nicholas Jerry Ojinika, who was represented by the president general of the community, thanked the school management for organizing the cultural day celebration, and assured him of the community's continued support.

The highlight of the celebration were the display of poems, dance, drama, recitations, wrestling, debate, news casting, folktales, cultural food exhibitions, hunting, palm wine tapping, etc.

Those in attendance were: the Director of Schools, Owerri Zone, Dr Mrs Clara Oparanozie, Director of Sports, SEMB, Lady D.O. Ajoku, the P.T.A Chairman, Deacon Valentine Okwu, amongst other dignitaries.