Vincent Ederigbe, John Itedjere and Joe Akpolegho in a pose shortly after the meeting
By John Egie
Plans have been concluded for the 70th anniversary celebration of the founding of St Joseph’s College, Ozoro.
At a quarterly meeting of the St Joseph’s College Old Students’ Association, SJCOSA, held at Heritage Tropicana and Suites Hotel, Kwale; a breakdown of activities outlined for the celebration of the anniversary cum the Annual General Meeting were discussed and approved.
The activities spanning three days will commence on Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14, 2025.
According to the approved outline, on Day 1, Friday, December 12, a Eucharistic Mass shall be celebrated at the school compound. After the mass, a series of lecture with the topics, ‘Life after secondary school ‘ and ‘Challenges of old age’ shall be presented. This will be followed by Isoko, Urhobo, Ndokwa and Ijaw cultural dances to be performed by the in-school students of St Joseph’s College Ozoro. A novelty football match between the old students and present in-school students will hold at 4pm to bring the day’s activities to a close.
On Day 2, Saturday, December 13, 6am; there shall be a road walk around Ozoro Town with old students, present in-school students and their teachers expected to participate. Thereon, the old students shall pay a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of Ozoro kingdom and head on to commission a dedicated project executed for the school. That will end the first session of the day’s activities.
In the second session, SJCOSA shall hold its 2025 Annual General Meeting, AGM, followed by an award of excellence to deserving personalities at the Okay Hotels, Ozoro.
The third session of the second day of line up of events shall be a Gala Nite with live band during which old students who have been separated over time will be reunited in a reunion party.
The 70th anniversary celebration of the school will be brought to a close on Sunday, December 14 with a Thanksgiving Mass to be celebrated at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ozoro.
Early on, President of SJCOSA worldwide, Chief John Itedjere appealed to the chairmen and members of all committees created for the purpose of the 70th anniversary celebrations to give their best in their various areas of specialty in the spirit of collective responsibility.
In an interview, Chairman of fund raising committee for the celebration, Mr Vincent Ederigbe assured that during the celebrations, the Spirit of St Joseph’s College Ozoro will be relived.
” The school was formerly a Teacher Training Institution but now a secondary school. The occasion will revive the name of the original status of the school and Ozoro community will be on the news again.
” The school has produced notable people in the society, the party will be attended by a good number of them and Ozoro will be agog” he said.
In a separate interview, Barr Joe Akpolegho said the event promises to be a gratifying moment for the Isoko nation to witness celebration of the 70th anniversary of St Joseph’s College, Ozoro; one of the formidable educational institutions in Isokoland.
” It is on record that the school has produced very many formidable persons in the fields of education, politics, business, media, law etc who have contributed and still contributing to the economic development of the country. ”
On the epoch making celebrations, he called on Ozoro community, the Catholic Mission to whom the school has been handed to keep the flag of the school flying and encourage the students so that the school will grow from strength to strength.
” To the students, note that the school is noted for discipline, hardworking and excellence and even in extra curricular activities, the school in her days brought laurels. We urge you to work very hard and be good ambassadors of the school.
” To parents, I want to say you have not made a mistake in your choice of the school for the educational upbringing of your children. You should encourage your children to be hardworking and endeavour to provide learning materials as well as assisting in their moral upbringing so that they could be your pride and the pride of the larger society ”
SJCOSA members from Isoko, Ndokwa, Sapele, Warri and Ughelli chapters attended the quarterly meeting.
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