GREETINGS: Peace and greetings to all our staff, Phoenixes, Parents, Alumni, and Friends.
NORTH AMERICAN INVITATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS (NAIMUN LXII): Nine Phoenixes and the Principal Fr. Alex Irechukwu, S.J. attended the 62nd NAIMUN conference in Washington DC from February 13 through February 16. For the first time, nine JMC students were able to participate in this enriching conference which engages students in political, environmental, economic, medical, social justice, and leadership issues. This conference was organized
President
by students of Georgetown University (A Jesuit University). About 3000 delegates from different parts of the world attended this year’s conference at Washington Hilton Convention Centre. NAIMUN is a follow up of Nigerian Secondary School Model United Nations (NISSMUN). Our contingent travelled with nine students of Loyola Jesuit College Abuja to Washington. They returned to Nigeria on February 21, 2025. We congratulate and welcome them back!
VISITORS FROM TWO NEW NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES: Representatives from Wigwe University, Rivers State and Amadeus University, Abia State were at Jesuit Memorial College to interact with the Phoenixes of the Class of 2025 on February 1, 2025. Wigwe University is founded by late Dr. Herbert Wigwe. Amadeus University is founded by Dr. Godwin Nwabunka who is Jesuit educated at the Gregorian University Rome. Please
read below a letter from Dr. Nwabunka with offer of scholarship “to ensure that that bright students, regardless of their background, have access to quality education.”
VISIT FROM ARRUPE JESUIT INSTITUTE, ACCRA: To help make JMC a greener school and to develop a template for a social apostolate for Jesuit schools in the province, the Director of Arrupe Jesuit Institute, Accra, Fr. Kpanie Addy, S.J. visited Jesuit Memorial College from February 10, 2025 through February 16, 2025. He came as an “emissary of Mother Earth” to promote Pope Francis’ Laudato Si—on Care for Our Common Home. He interacted with staff and students during his stay and with parents on Visiting Day (February 16, 2025). We thank Fr. Addy, S.J. for helping to promote ecological justice at Jesuit Memorial College.
SEPERATION OF REFUSE PROJECT: Mr. Justin Bonayiri, nSJ and Mr. JohnPaul Baluze, nSJ (Jesuit novices on Apostolic Community Experience) in collaboration with Mr. Samuel Ogwuche, the Facility Manager of JMC, have been able to create a systematic separation of refuses in JMC. This is making JMC a greener and more environmentally sustainable school. We thank them and the other maintenance staff who worked with them as well as Mr. Christopher Ottah (Art Teacher) and Daisy Nwankwo (Class of 2027) who helped generate images for the various refuse bins. This has enhanced ecological stewardship at JMC.
“SPEECH IS SILVER; SILENCE IS GOLDEN”: A Danish Philosopher and Theologian, Soren Kierkegaard, once said, “If I were a doctor, and if I were allowed to prescribe one remedy for all the ills of the modern world, I would prescribe silence.” To engender, recollection, prayer, openness to growth, decorum, inspiration, and innovation, the Phoenixes are being encouraged to observe silence after night cap till after prayers before breakfast the following day. This new practice is also encouraging them to find value in silence as a refined form of expression.
EVOLUTION OF MORNING MEDITATION BEFORE MASS AT JMC: A deeper habit of reflection and meditation is emerging at JMC. This was introduced by the Chaplain Fr. Uche Oguike, S.J. This happens prior to the weekly morning Mass. After the chaplain, regents, and novices led some meditation sessions, the Phoenixes have started leading meditation exercises before Mass. This is enhancing imagination in prayer, deeper reflection, intrapersonal intelligence, and meditative learning.
SECOND JOINT JESUIT SCHOOLS ENTRANCE EXAMINATION: The second joint entrance examination for five of our Jesuit schools in Nigeria was successful. On February 15, 2025, the exam took place simultaneously in several centres across the country. We thank all proctors and Parent’ Association branches who volunteered their series during the conduct of the Jesuit Schools Entrance Exam.
NEW EXECUTIVES FOR ENUGU PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION: The Enugu Parents’ Association have a new EXCO:
Chairperson: Mrs. Monique Ajah
Vice Chairperson: Dr Chibuike Nwatu
Secretary: Dr (Mrs.) Onyinye Enebe
Financial Secretary/Treasurer: Mrs. Mercy Chinweokwu
We congratulate them and wish them a successful tenure of service and leadership. We thank Dr. Chukwudi Anigbo and the past EXCO for their leadership and commitment.
WARRI PA: FINDING GOD IN PARENTING: On February 22, 2024, Warri Parents, chaired by Dr. Clement Emudainohwo, had a day of recollection at the Jubilee Retreat and Conference Centre Warri. The Day of Recollection was directed by Fr. Kofi Nana Agyapong, S.J., Chaplain of Arrupe Jesuit College, Abbi (AJC). The theme of the day was “Finding God in Parenting.” It was an inspiring day of recollection and prayer, and it was also opened to AJC parents in Warri. We are grateful to Fr. Agyapong for helping point the parents towards God. We thank Dr. Clement Emudainohwo and the JMC Parents of Warri for organizing this day of recollection. The following day, February 23, 2025, the Warri Parents’ Association had a meeting, hosted by Engr (Mrs.) Erhimona.
- EMMANUEL GIBSON BOB LAID TO REST: The funeral service of Late Mr. Emmanuel Gibson Bob (1980-2024), the father of Samuel Emmanuel (Class of 2029) was held on February 22, 2025 at the Catholic Field of Kpean Community in Khana LGA, Rivers State. The Funeral Service was conducted by the Salvation Ministries. May the gentle soul of Mr. Emmanuel Gibson rest in peace, and may God continue to strengthen his beloved wife and son—Samuel.
LOOKING AHEAD: JMC PARENTS-TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION (PTA) MEETING IN MARCH: This is a kind reminder that on March 15, 2025, there will be a PTA Meeting after the Open Day. The PTA EXCO will have a meeting on March 14, 2025. Visiting Day will be on March 16, 2025.
APPROVED VENDORS DURING VISITING DAYS: Parents should please note that on visiting days, the only approved vendors are those who have duly registered with JMC. Their canopies are set up within the compound. Vendors who sell food at the burnt fuel station are not official vendors. Vendors who try to smuggle food into the parking lot to sell are acting against school policies. Please, for security reasons and for decorum and order, parents should use only approved vendors—that is those who have canopies within JMC compound.
JESUIT LOYOLA ACADEMY (JLA) 2025/2026 ADMISSIION: The 2025/2026 admission into Jesuit Loyola Academy is now open. JLA (a Montessori Jesuit Primary School) is evolving into becoming one of the best primary schools in Port Harcourt. It accommodates scholarship pupils from Mbodo-Aluu and Rukpokwu-Odu as well as fee-paying pupils in Port Harcourt. Enrol now! Application Fee is N3000. Pay to JMC/Loyola Academy 0154556061, GTBANK.
OUR LADY OF THE WAY CHAPEL: We thank Engr. Emmanuel Okoloma for the donation of one million Naira towards Our Lady of the Way Chapel. May God bless and reward him. We continue to plead for more support to move the chapel project forward. Please make your generous donations and tithes to Jesuit Memorial College, First Bank 2024616041. Thank you.
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM (FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD)