The newly completed 1200-capacity student hostel and dinning facility at Saint John Science and Technical College, Alor in Idemili South Local Government Area has been commissioned by the Archibishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev Valerian Okeke.
ANN gathered that the facility was conceived by the World Bank through the Anambra State government and were initiatiated and constructed by the former Governor Willie Obiano and completed by Onitsha Archdiocese.
Most Reverend Okeke in his remarks, recounted that since the state government returned mission owned schools to the owners, there has been tremendous improvement in the quality of education in Anambra with the students winning numerous laurels in academic competitios within and outside Nigeria.
While dedicating the edifice, the Archibishop thanked God and prayed that the future will be brighter, noting that they are training the children to be the best even as he charged all to strive to train their children to be marketable globally.
He further appreciated parents, teachers, members of the Old Boys Association for their contributions and goodwill to the college.
In his address, the Principal and Manager of the College, Reverend Father Francis Unegbu disclosed that with the completion of the facility the 1148 students are more comfortable living in a habitable environment worthy of standard formation which he said has eluded them over the years.
He noted that they are comfortable at a reasonable extent which will make the formation of the present generation of children easy and adequate, helping them become very responsible Christians and honest citizens in the future but noted that, however, that work is still ongoing all around the compound especially in the area of erosion control which he said is their greatest challenge presently.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Don Onyenji who is also an old boy of the school, said that the academic standard of the beschool is exceptionally high, congratulated the state government , Archibishop Okeke, the Old Boys Association, the principal of the school who he said are key players in the education sector.
In her goodwill message, the Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education, ASUBEB, Dr Vera Nwadinobi expressed hope that the light which has began to shine in the school with building of the facility after the fire incidents of last year, will continue to shine and charged the teachers not to relent in instilling discipline and good morals in the students.
For the President of the Old Boys Association of the college, Chief Cyprian Afunugo, Saint John Science and Technical College, Alor is known for excellence which has trained men of value both in the secular and religious sector of the society.
ANN reports that more than 40% of the work were done by students and teachers of the technical department of the school especially the electrical and metal works including the silos, all the dinning tables, double bunk beds, and many others.
