Very Revd Fr Francis Adjagbara celebrating the Mass
By John Egie
Old students of St Joseph’s College Ozoro have been charged to look to the past with gratitude to God and live the rest of their lives for the moment.
The charge was given by the Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese, His Lordship, Most Revd. Dr. Ewherido during a Eucharistic Mass held in honour of the 70th anniversary celebration of the founding of the school, Saturday, December 13, 2025 at the school ground.
Represented by the Very Revd Fr. Francis Adjagbara, present principal of the school, the Bishop encouraged the alumni of the school to invest in economic ventures that will be profitable for them but cautioned that they must listen to divine counsel before embarking on such ventures saying the guidance of God never disappoints those who listen.
“If God tells you to begin any project do it, don’t look at what you can do, look at what God can do.”
He further charged the old students of the school to be committed to the development of their immediate community in efforts that will give hope for the overall development of Nigeria believing that with a handful number of committed and God-fearing Nigerians, Nigeria will be transformed.
“For 70 years, St Joseph’s College has prepared the way, shaping characters and generations of students have passes through the mill, educated in values for service and inculcated with discipline for leadership.
“True success of St Joseph’s College is measured by the lives of citizens touched, leaders tutored and bright future made unfolding. Let the spirit of St Joseph’s, a faithful and hardworking person shape your life”, the Bishop admonished.
In a vote of thanks, President General World Wide of St Joseph’s College Ozoro Old Students Association, SJCOSA, Sir John Itedjere paid glowing tribute to the outstanding developmental role played by the Principal of the school, Revd Fr James Higgins of blessed memory (1973-1981) assuring that the alumni body will give necessary assistance to fix and maintain dilapidated facilities in the school especially the school laboratories that are presently comatose.
He urged present students in the school to keep the lamp burning, flag of the school flying, and continue to uphold the values of the school.
Founded in 1955, St Joseph’s College Ozoro originally produced Teachers Grade-3 (TC111) certificate, upgraded to Teachers Grade-2 (TC11) and with the phasing out of teachers colleges by the federal government, the school curriculum was altered
Presently, the school is called St Joseph’s College (Technical) Ozoro owned by the Catholic Diocese of Warri. The school’s curriculum now focuses on quality Technical and moral education geared towards empowering students for leadership/entrepreurship in the teaching and learning process.
Speaking during a lecture session after the Mass, Hon Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu represented by the Chief Inspector of Education for Isoko North LGA, Mr Egara Samuel encouraged the old students to assist the school management strive more in the area of science and technology which presently rules the world.
The Plantinum celebration was spiced with a series of lectures presented by Chief Sir John Araka (old student of 1971 set) and Mr James Onowoni (old student of 1981 set).
In his lecture Oraka called for a reinstatement of St Joseph’s College to a teachers College while James Onowoni called for leadership accountability to curb the menace of terrorism in Nigeria.
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