Dear Students, Staff, Parents, Alumni and Friends of JMC,
Peace and good to you! The month of November was a whirlwind of inspiration and action at the Heights. 
From the celebration of All Saints’ Day, the feast day of the four Houses of the college, which brings to focus the fundamental goal of Jesuit education: human excellence, to the organization of the 6th Annual Inter-House Sports competition which was immediately followed by the second visitation of the term, the eleventh month of the calendar year was an eventful one for our college community. Recalling the events of the month, I am filled with gratitude for the many and varied ways you act to advance the mission of the college for the ultimate good of our dear nation and the world at large. That said, given the need and significance of our mission of forming leaders who are open to growth, intellectually competent, loving, religious, and committed to justice, I humbly entreat you to optimize your collaborative efforts, especially by insisting that our excellent Phoenixes account for whatever they have been given to facilitate their leaning at the Heights. This is crucial to inculcate in them a deep sense of ownership thereby curtailing the attitude of nonchalance that fosters wastefulness and lack of accountability which is prevalent in our nation undermining its development.
Among the highlights of the month is the visit of Mr. John GREGORY from the University of Alberta, Canada. Mr. Gregory is the director of International Recruitment and Transnational Programs of the said university and visited the college on account of the best graduating student of the Class of 2024, Lloyd Kamsi UGWU, who received the Presidential International Distinction Scholarship of the university, and is making great strides in his first year of undergraduate studies. Prior to his visit, Mr. Gregory sent a recorded message of profound gratitude by Lloyd in which he thanked the college for adequately preparing him for what he describes as ‘a really good time’ in a wonderful university. Lloyd’s story is that of our many alumni and should motivate every member of the college to subscribe without reservations to the vision and mission of the college.
As I write, Phoenixes of the two examination classes have commenced their Mock exams which double as their End of Term examination. I applaud their dedication and hardwork while commending them to your fervent prayers for greater success and a deep sense of fulfillment in their academic progress and accomplishments. In the same vein, I entreat your prayers for the rest of the Phoenixes whose End of Term exams begin on the second of December.
Looking forward to the holiday and the events leading up to it, I am pleased to remind you that we shall be marking the nineteenth anniversary of the death of our beloved Sixty Angels on Tuesday, December 10. As always, this year’s Memorial Day offers us the opportunity to recommit ourselves to the vision of forming men and women of Conscience, Competence, Compassion, and Commitment; people horrified by ignorance and mediocrity so much as to pursue excellence in character and learning for the good of humankind and not for her ruin. In keeping with the usual program of events, the day’s activity shall begin with the celebration of Holy Mass at 9:00 a.m. prompt which will be followed by a drama presentation, orchestra performance and candle light procession beginning by 5:00 p.m. and continuing until 8:00 p.m. What better way to celebrate the lives of our beloved Angels and honour their memory as a college than to expunge incompetence, corruption, and impunity from every fabric of our lives. May we be driven by so great a desire every day of our wonderful life. Meanwhile, as part of our Memorial Day celebration this year, we shall be unveiling the fourth edition of the Phoenix Magazine with the title, Never Again. Kindly get a copy for yourself and a relative, friend, or colleague.
It bears mentioning that honouring the memory of our beloved Sixty Angels entails recognising and rewarding excellence. Thus, in recognition of the athleticism, dexterity, resilience, and sportsmanship of Gonzaga House Phoenixes, I congratulate them on their emergence as the champions of the 6th Annual Inter-House Sports Competition of the college. In a special way, I congratulate Chukwunonso Ryan NDU-OGWUDA (Class of 2025), Chimamanda Mmesomachi OSY-KAMALU (Class of 2026), Naoma Seyonga AUDU (Class of 2027), David Chibukem EMENIKE (Class of 2027), Siddiqah Arenike ONABULE and Ferguson Osonobrugweseromome IRERUKE (Class of 2029), distinguished themselves in the Sixth Annual Inter-House Sports Competition of the college, which took place on the sixtenth day of the month. The sextet won a total of 33 gold medals, 10 silver medals and a bronze medal. Reconizing and celebrating their numerous victories, It gives me great joy to crown their efforts with the esteemed title of, Phoenixes of the Month, which is befitting and well deserved.
In conclusion, as we countdown to the end of the 2024 and prepare ourselves to welcome 2025, it is my hope that our journeys in the coming days and weeks will deepen our appreciation for our shared vision of shaping, enriching, and transforming lives by means of good quality and holistic education ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
With profound gratitude,
Fr. Alexander E. IRECHUKWU, S.J.