Tower of Ivory Schools receives Bishop Camillus Umoh

…commissions new girls’ palace

BY VICTOR UFOT

Friday last week will remain evergreen in the mind and heart of the management, staff and Students of Tower of Ivory Schools Ediene Abak, Abak as they gathered in their numbers at the school premises to welcome the Catholic Bishop of Ikot Ekpene Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Camillus R. Umoh to the citadel of learning as part of the his Pastoral visit to Abak Deanery of the diocese. As early as 3pm, Staff members, students, management, members of Catholic Women Organization Abak Parish, neigbours, friends and lovers of the schools led by the Chairman Board of Governors, Tower of Ivory Schools D.I.G Udom U. Ekpoudom (RTD) had gathered in their numbers at the institutions’ entrance along the old Abak-Uyo road in their colourful attires and uniforms to welcome the bishop who was making his first official visit to the school since it was established five years ago.

The jubilation and excitement expressed by the thrilling and joyous crowd gathered to usher in the bishop attracted passersby to join in celebrating the historic and symbolic day in the existence of Tower of Ivory Schools Ediene Abak. After anxiously and patiently waiting for the arrival of His Lordship for more than an hour, the long awaited moment finally came as the Bishop and his entourage arrived at the schools’ major entrance. His reception could be compared to the biblical triumphant entry of Jesus Christ as the women and youths gathered to welcome him spread palm front and cloths for him to walk on, probably the only feature missing here was the presence of a horse because His Lordship together with the Chairman Board of Governors TOIS worked the path way that leads to the school compound n rather than ride on a white horse. The walk which under normal circumstance would take less than 10 minutes lasted for almost half an hour as the dancing and joyous crowd would not allow free flow of traffic.
Immediately His Lordship stepped into the school premises, he was led by the Chairman of the board of Governors, DIG Ekpoudom (rtd), his amiable wife Mrs. Dorothy Ekpoudom and staff of the school around the artistically beautified school compound. The first port of call was the classroom blocks where the bishop and his entourage where taken around the numerous blocks that houses the school’s classroom. The tastefully arranged classrooms were a sight to behold as the seats and tables were carefully set. The conducive and comfortable classrooms undoubtedly are one of the numerous reasons TOIS schools have continued to carve a niche for herself within and outside Akwa Ibom State as far as qualitative education is talked about. The Unoma Akpabio’s hall was one the class room blocks visited by the team.
At the administration block, the bishop signed the log book which is reserved for priest and clergymen who visits the school before inspecting the various offices situated in the building. He was led the Chairman’s office were the two and some members of the entourage discussed behind close door.
The bishop and his visiting team were then led to the schools clinic where the Bishop prayed and committed the place into God’s hand, the clinic which is equipped with modern medical facilities to take care of the physical wellbeing of students in the school. Smart looking nurses where seen in their white and blue uniforms taking the visiting team around the facility. The bishop was then led to School’s well equipped Biology, Physics and Chemistry laboratories.
The team then proceeded to the Girls Palace (hostel) that was to be commissioned by him. In his homily delivered shortly before the commissioning charged the students and staff to be the light and salt of the earth so as to be able to touch other people’s life and let their lives be guided by ethics and truth at all times of their life on earth. The commissioning was the last official duty of His Lordship before the entire faithful gathered in the school premises were led in the Godswill for a brief reception.
As soon as the guests and His Lordship were seated, the National Anthem was rendered by the Echoes Brass Band who were at the event to add colour to the occasion. Introduction of guests and dignitaries was done by the Master of Ceremony. The Chairman, Board of Governors TOIS, D.I.G Udom U. Ekpoudom (RTD) was called upon to give his welcome address.
D.I.G Ekpoudom (rtd) thanked the bishop for his decision to visit the school and said that his presence in the school is eloquent expression of the deep spiritual bond which will continue to unite the schools to the church more intimately in fidelity. He informed the guests present that the school was established on the 4th of September 2010 for the sole purpose of empowering children, not just in knowledge but also in morals, character formation, spirituality and excellence. The prime vision of these schools has always been the investment of the future and that is why the parade one of the most powerful young generation of achievers in human history.
He added that the school was a place of excellence since it came on board five years ago. He further informed the guests that the school recorded hundred percent successes at the just released Senior Secondary Schools (WASSCE) results with high and commendable grades.
He thanked the quality of Chaplains you have been sending to us all these years. Very Rev. Fr. Peter Tombere should be specially commended for his spiritual role in the development of the schools. He described him as a spiritual father. He used the opportunity to inform his Lordship that plans are in top gear to build two befitting school Chapels, one for the Catholic Students and one for the Non-Catholic students soonest.
In his response, the Bishop of Ikot Ekpene Catholic Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Camillus R. Umoh thanked the management of the school and teachers for maintaining a high level of discipline in the institution, he said his visit to the school was to come and greet his long standing friend and a brother (D.I.G Ekpoudom).  He said the rousing welcome accorded him came as a surprise because the school was on vacation and in his wildest dream he never expected such occasion he said he was happily surprised and thanked the people for coming out en masse to welcome him.
He said that he was not surprised by the standard of discipline seen in the school because he knows D.I.G Ekpoudom was a disciplinarian since the time they were together as students at the Queen of Apostles Seminary Afaha Obong. Bishop Camillus commended the schools for the excellent result recorded by the school at the WASSCE examination. He added that the school will continue to produce citizens who will be well disciplined in character, values and learning. He cautioned that the country will continue to degenerate unless citizens who are sound in discipline are groomed at all levels.
He decried the fact that schools were now interested in academic excellence without laying emphasis on discipline, spirituality, morals and values. He urged other schools to emulate TOIS with regards to discipline.
In her vote of thanks, the coordinator of schools, TOIS Lady Dorothy Ekpoudom thanked Bishop Camillus Umoh for his visit to the school and promised that the school will continue to improve on the standard set so far. She compared the Bishop’s visit to that of the Lord and said the blessing that comes with it cannot be quantified.
The compound Mistress of the school Miss Okoro Uzoma in a chat after the event said the bishop’s visit will surely bring more blessing to the students, management and everybody associated with the school.  The school offered gifts to the Bishop while the schools Staff choir were at hand to render melodious songs to thrill the guests present at the event.