The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has charged matriculating students of Madonna College of Health, Technology, (MACOTECH), Olokoro, Umuahia, Abia State, to be studious and shun cultism.
The Governor, represented by the Abia Commissioner for Post-Basic Education, Barr. Chijioke Mark, who gave the charge on Friday, during the maiden Matriculation Ceremony held at Institution, said as fresh students, they are expected to justify the huge resources their parents spend by sending them to acquire sound education.
He enjoined them to shun cultism and other vices capable of impeding their studies as they do not have reasons not to graduate in flying colours while also thanking the Management of (MACOTECH), for widening the frontiers of education in the state by complementing the efforts of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in this regard.
In his address captioned “God Cannot Do For You, What You Can Do For Yourself”, the Provost of the College, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru (Ph.D), said MACOTECH, was founded in the year 2020 and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Umuahia.
He said the College, was established to raise excellent and responsible professionals who will stand out from the crowd in character and through quality training, urging the students to be honest and apply the right values as they aim at success in their chosen career.
Rev. Fr. Anokwuru, reminded the students that pursuit of academic success is not rosy at the beginning as they are expected to make sacrifices, including burning of night candles, letting go some privileges, working tirelessly to put many things in proper perspective among other key components, adding that heroes often emerge out of difficulties.
He charged them not to allow obstacles to stop them from achieving their goals as students, advising them to understand that their dreams are legitimate, stressing that as students, they are not supposed to let their ideas die rather they should conjure it, desire, plan and execute it.
The cleric used the opportunity to thank the host community and all who rendered financial donations, directions, guidance which metamorphosed into Madonna College of Health Technology, informing that the College has enjoyed the goodwill of some very important and well -meaning individuals and institutions across Nigeria.
He lauded the members of the governing board of management led by Prof. Hillary Edeoga, for their firmness of purpose, sacrifices, toughness and resolute disposition in moving the College to greater height while also commending Rev. Fr. Jude Amaechi for his sacrifices just as he hailed the Bishop of Umuahia Catholic Diocese, his Lordship, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji.
Rev. Fr. Anokwuru, informed that the College has achieved accreditation/affiliation in Community Health Technician, Public Health Technician, Med Lab Technician and Pharmacy Technician, adding that work is still on going in various aspects of the institution, expressing optimism that it will be concluded.
In his Matric Lecture, Rev. Fr. Mark Ukah, informed the students that they were embarking on a journey that requires concentration. He urged them to shun cultism, cut their coats according to their sizes while bearing in mind that they are not sent to school to live a life of affluence but to study hard and justify the huge resources spent by their parents/guardian.
He charged them to be disciplined, dedicated and determined to succeed, stressing that these are three key components that will make them excel in their academic pursuits.
In his address, the Bishop of Umuahia Catholic Diocese, and Visitor to the College, his Lordship, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, said he is overwhelmed that MACOTECH is now a dream come true, revealing that the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly deterred them from completing the siting of the College.
The Cleric who acknowledged that the society is in dire need of solutions in the health, education and other sectors of human endeavour, noted that with MACOTECH, some answers sought in these areas in the South-East geopolitical zone and beyond will be tackled, adding that it will further broaden the synergy between them and government.
He congratulated the matriculants, expressing optimism that with the top-notch facilities available at the College, they will excel in their academic pursuit while warning them to abstain from cultism, use of illicit drugs, corruption, indolence among other vices that will be inimical to their studies.
Correspondent reports that 200 students comprising the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 sets of the College, participated in the maiden matriculation while top government functionaries in Abia State, captains of industries were also present.
