Dear students, staff, parents, alumni and friends of JMC
Greetings of Eastertide and peace of the risen Christ!
May we be renewed as a community of scholarship, faith, and service by the sure hope of the resurrection in our life’s onward journey as pilgrims of hope. 
For much of April, the Heights was relatively in hibernation as the Phoenixes embarked on their second term holiday on the fifth day of the month following their end of term exams. Prior to departing for their three weeks’ hiatus, the Phoenixes, with the exception of those of the Class of 2025, who had proceeded on holiday following the completion of their SSCE-Mock exams, showcased their artistic talents in a memorable annual Ignatian concert. I applaud the organizers of the concert, and celebrate all those who gave us a night to remember in the very last week of the term. Their creativity and passion continue to give credence to the beauty and holistic character of Jesuit education. The beautiful and holistic character of our brand of education was further experienced by our Class of 2027 Phoenixes, who spent two weeks from departure day receiving robust training in citizenship and leadership. I applaud the openness with which they embarked on the training and commend their audacious disposition, which their trainers duly recognised and appreciated. Reflecting on their experience of the Citizenship and Leadership Training program, the Phoenixes highlight its impact, for which they are exceedingly grateful. I invite you to read their insightful reflections on the program which many of them consider life-changing and transformative. In the same vein, I invite you to also read the inspiring reflections on the experience of the Kairos Retreat shared by the student retreatants and leaders of the Kairos-18 cohort who made and facilitated the retreat from the fifth to the ninth day of the month. I congratulate the Class of 2026 Phoenixes and thank the chaplain and his team for ensuring that our Phoenixes become increasingly aware and grounded in their relationship with God.
After their second term holiday, which commenced on the 29th of March, our Class of 2025 Phoenixes returned to the Heights on the 15th day of the month to revise for their matriculation and certificate examinations. While both exams commenced on the 24th day of the month, the Phoenixes were done taking the former on the last day of the month and have continued with the latter, which is scheduled to end on the 18th of June. I commend them and their junior school counterpart, Phoenixes of the Class of 2028, to your fervent prayers for good health, peace of mind, and confidence in their ability to achieve greater success for the duration of their ongoing and upcoming certificate exams.
Following a much deserved vacation, our excellent Phoenixes returned to the Heights on the 26th day of the month for the third and final term of the school year. We thank God for their safe return to the Cradle of Hope Reborn and commend the educational and formational activities of the term into the gracious and loving hands of God. In preparation for the arrival of the Phoenixes, the ever hardworking faculty staff of the college had a two-day workshop forging their identity as Jesuit educators in the 21st century to further enrich the quality of their instruction, mentorship, guidance, and accompaniment of our dear Phoenixes. I thank Fr. Chikere Ugwuanyi, S.J., the principal of our sister college, Loyola Jesuit College, who graciously facilitated the workshop, albeit virtually due to the cancellation of his flight occasioned by the strike action of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).
As I write, the final term of the school year is well underway and progressing nicely. The Class of 2025 are eagerly waiting for the release of their UTME results with great confidence that they are among the 0.63% candidates who scored 300 and above as report by the Registrar of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) during a recent press briefing. I have great confidence in their ability to do well and congratulate them in advance for achieving great success in their matriculation exam and making the college proud.
I also congratulate the Scholars of the second term, the six Phoenixes who achieved first rank in their respective classes. They are our Phoenixes of the Month, and we celebrate them honourably.
In union with the universal Church and people of goodwill every where, we mourn the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, who entered into eternal life on Easter Monday, the 21st day of the month. We recognize the incredible gift he was to the Church and the world through his compassion, care, hospitality, and humor. May he, who is now in the resurrection, continue to enjoy the fullness of life, light, and love in God, whom he knew so clearly, loved so dearly, and followed so closely.
May Pope Francis rest in eternal peace, and may his memory be a blessing unto us all. Amen!
With profound gratitude
Alexander E. Irechukwu, S.J.