News & Events CLARET ACADEMY UMUCHU OPENS TODAY

UMUCHU, AWKUNANAW, ENUGU 

Today, Wednesday the 20th of September, 2023 will go down in history for the management, parents, staff and students of Claret Academy Creche, Nursery and Primary School, Umuchu, Awkunanaw, Enugu as it was the day the first students of our budding but already elegant school were received at the school premises with an opening mass. 

This School project undertaken by the Claretian Missionaries, East Nigeria Province, was initiated around March 2023, after the Provincial Superior, Very Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Eke,cmf working through the Provincial Bursar, Very Rev. Fr. Marcel Obilo, cmf kicked off the re-roofing of the present building. And immediately began working in great strides to make this project of having a new school in Enugu a reality. 

After a lot of initial preparation and work through Frs. Joseph Amaegwu, cmf and Matthew Mmuo (who assisted in coordinating the project), the first term and session was kicked off today, Wednesday, 20th September, 2023 with 7 registered students from 3 parents and 10 members of staff. The mass to open the session as presided by Very. Rev. Fr. Rowland Onyenali, cmf (Prefect of Spirituality) who represented the Provincial Superior. He was flanked by Fr. Joseph Amaegwu cmf and Fr. Kenneth Oguejiofor cmf (the local Superior of the Amurri/ Gariki/ Umuchu Community).

Very Rev. Fr. Matthew Mmuo, cmf (Coordinator of Schools Enugu) gave the Homily within which he praised God for the realization of the vision of the Claretians and the Provincial Council of the East Nigeria Province. He appreciated the Provincial Council for the effort put into the vision and everyone that made it a reality. He took time to highlight the history of the structure, noting that for decades, many Claretians had passed through that building either as theologians or postulants including himself. Today, what was the seed ground for grooming men for God, had become a seed ground for bringing up the future champions for God and society. He thanked the pioneer parents who trusted the Claretians with their children stating that surely, by God's grace, before the end of the term, the number would have doubled and tripled and will continue that way. He informed us that the Blessing/Dedication Ceremony of the new school will come up on Wednesday, 1st November, 2023 as part of the Golden Jubilee activities of the Claretians in Nigeria. It will be done by the General Superior of the Claretians who will be coming all the way from Rome.

Many of the Claretian priests around Enugu were also present at the mass. Such as Fr. Cletus Obasi, cmf, Fr. Paul Okoli cmf, Fr. Anthony Azinta cmf, Fr. Josaphat Nwana and Fr. Steve Kalu cmf who came all the way from Nnewi Diocese. The students and staff of our Senior school, Claret Academy Secondary School, Garriki were also represented in their numbers. At the end of the mass, the chief celebrant prayed for the new students, after which there were group photographs and light refreshments. 

May God who had begun this great work through the Claretians, bless all of us, the management, staff and students of our new school to make this School the best in Enugu and even around the country in Jesus name. Amen. 

Ms. Esther Chukwu

Pioneer Head-Teacher