The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has rated the Evo Diocesan Schools high on quality delivery of educational goals and objectives.
The Governor disclosed the assessment at the Synod Thanksgiving Service of the Diocese of Evo, Anglican Communion, which was held at Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls School (ACMGS), Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, last Sunday.
The state’s Chief Executive, who was represented by the Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke, assured the Diocese of Evo of collaboration and support in infrastructure and other critical areas that would drive quality education in the State.
“I must say your Synod theme is timely as it seeks to remind all stakeholders of the essence of collaboration in our drive to raise the bar of education in the state,” he stated.
The Governor further applauded the Diocese for their fervent prayers, which, he said, have kept the government running and the sustenance of peace in the State.
“We thank you for your tireless prayers, which have sustained the peace in our dear State and kept our government running successfully.
“We therefore assure you of our poise to create an enabling environment with all necessary support in sustaining quality education in our State,” he said.
Delivering the sermon at the Synod Thanksgiving Service, with the topic: “How Will They Know, If No One Teaches Them,” with text from Deut. 6:6–12, former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dame Ibim Semenitari recounted some inspiring testimonies of her life, which she said were the centre of her sermon.
Dame Semenitari, who is a licensed lay reader, reminisced about her involvement in Kingdom ministry and activities from a tender age, which, according to her, has kept her in the faith.
She further recounted the ‘inspirational stories and songs’ that her grandmother narrated to her, which helped in moulding her life, thereby underscoring the importance of care and attention by parents in the upbringing of the child.
She harped on the instilling of honesty, diligence, respect, and other godly virtues in the nurturing of children, which she maintained would certainly help in transforming the individual for national development.
To the church, Dame Semenitari advocated for prayers and strategic involvement to fill the lapses noticed in parenting while tasking the state on adequate funding, provision of necessary infrastructure, and motivation, amongst others, in enhancing all-round education that would positively impact society and expedite the individual’s transformation for national development.
She concluded by expressing concerns about the content parents teach their children, total negligence in some cases, and the lack of the inculcation of the word of God in the upbringing of children.
However, she recommended discipline, encouragement, counselling, prayers, and sometimes allowing ‘children to test their faith muscles’ as strategies that would assist children in finding their path in the journey of life towards becoming useful leaders to the family, church, and nation.
In his address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo, Anglican Communion, and Proprietor of the Evo Diocesan Schools, The Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu, appreciated the support of the state government in promoting quality education while urging them not to compromise quality and standard of education in the State.
Bishop Ordu also announced the preferment of Rev. Timothy Otuka as a Canon while also announcing St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Rumuobiokani Deanery, as the next Synod host.
The Bishop further appreciated the delegates, visitors, and the entire Evo Diocesan community for their patience, teamwork, and commitment, which resulted in the success of the Synod.
Recall that the 2024 Synod is the 3rd session of the 5th Synod of the Diocese was hosted by the Evo Diocesan Schools of Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls School (ACMGS), Elelenwo; Bishop Crowther Memorial Secondary School (BCMSS) Rumuobiokani; and Woji Town Word of Faith School (WTWOFS), Woji.
The Synod theme was ‘Education for National Development and Transformation: The Role of the Family, Church, and State,’ while the text was taken from Deut. 6:7-8, Prov. 22:6, Eph. 6:4.”
The highlight of the service was the presentation of cash gifts and certificates to some outstanding students in the 2024 JAMB examinations by the Bishop and support of financial grants to some indigent widows of the Diocese by the Evo Diocesan Council of Knights.
The service was massively attended by some top government functionaries, members of the political class, captains of industry, traditional rulers, parents, teachers, and students of Evo Diocesan Schools.