GREETINGS AND GRATITUDE: Warm greetings to you all from the Home of the Phoenixes. We thank God for the journey through the first half of 2025.
President
We thank an anonymous donor who donated N1,000,000.00 (one million naira). The family wants N500,000.00 (five hundred thousand naira) to be used for the development of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Way and N500,000.00 (five hundred thousand naira) for the Green Energy Project in the Phoenixes’ hostels. We thank Parents of the Class of 2025 for sponsoring the Graduation Dinner of the Phoenixes as well as sponsoring the decoration of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Way for the Graduation Mass and Graduation Ceremony. They gave N1,000,000.00 (one million naira) for the full decoration of the chapel (inside and outside, inclusive of potted plants). We also thank them for the appreciation gift of N2,300,000.00 (two million three hundred thousand naira) for the Faculty Staff and N2,280,000.00 (two million two hundred and eighty thousand naira) to the non-Faculty Staff. We thank Mrs. Nkechi Amam for the supporting the ongoing works in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Way with 1,000,000 Naira. Many thanks to Engr. Victor Okahia for the sponsorship of one jumbo LED screed with the sum of 10,000 USD. This screen will be used to project the Word of God, sacred songs, and homilies for greater engagement of the hearts and minds of the Phoenixes during Masses.
BOG AND BOT MEETINGS: The Board of Governors of the college met on June 4, 2025, while the Board of Trustees met on June 5, 2025. Among other issues, the Board deliberated on the proposed staff quarters, discernment on possible construction of hostel annex for the Phoenixes, sustainability and financial health of our institution and budget vis-à-vis the macro-economic meltdown and devaluation of the naira. A Land Committee Task Force has been formed for a project analysis of the proposed staff quarters. The committee’s report would be presented to the Provincial in August 2025.
THIRD EDITION OF JMC CLUB EXHIBITIONS:
On June 7, 2025, the Phoenixes demonstrated their brilliance and multiplicity of talents during the third edition of the club exhibitions. I thank the Principal, Fr. Alexander Irechukwu, S.J., and the Club Patrons for the successful co-curricular exposition. My appreciation also goes to the Phoenixes for brilliant club exhibitions of music, art, dance, linguistic, ICT, culinary, agriculture, and photography to mention but a few. Special thanks to our parents for your moral and financial support of our various clubs. We continue to solicit for funds for the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Club (a capital-intensive club). I hasten to add that it did not feature this year.
FOURTH IGNATIAN TOURNAMENT
The Phoenixes (male teams) performed brilliantly in basketball, soccer, and 100-meters sprint during our Ignatian Tournament, which took place on June 21, 2025. They won gold medals in these events. One of our alumni, Somtochukwu Oparaeche (Class of 2024), returned to the Heights and helped coach our soccer team to victory during the tournament. He is currently a pre-medical student at Canisius University, Buffalo, and he is a member of the Canisius University basketball team. We thank the Sports Director, Mr. Joseph Odo, and his team for the planning and organization of the tournament which saw many youths in the college’s sports bowl. The visiting schools were Sacred Heart Seminary, Port Harcourt, Bishop Okoye Spiritan Secondary School Port Harcourt, and Charles Dale Memorial College, Port Harcourt.
WORKSHOP WITH A CYBERSECURITY EXPERT: The Dean of ICT at Arrupe Jesuit University, Fr. Collins Obidiagha, S.J., visited the college from June 16, 2025 through June 23, 2025 to join our ICT team in troubleshooting and repairing some of our digital devices. As a trained cybersecurity expert from Fordham University, he also had a workshop with the college Safeguarding Team on issues of child safeguarding, Artificial Intelligence, and the internet. We thank Fr. Obidiagha for his invaluable support.
LAGOS PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION MEETING AND SEND FORTH FOR PARENTS OF THE CLASS OF 2025: On June 14, 2025, the Lagos Parents’ Association (Lagos PA) had a physical meeting at Kuramo Beach Residence, chaired by Mrs. Adaeze Ocho. During the meeting, Adebola Bada, a student of the Class of 2025, who had come with his father, spoke eloquently to the parents about some of his JMC experiences. Additionally, the parents of the Class of 2025 had their “graduation” ceremony. Following our new direction for all PA’s, they are now “Legacy Parents” or “Alumni Parents” of Lagos PA. This means they will still be welcomed to participate in some social events of the Association.
WARRI PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION MEETING: The Warri Parents’ Association met on June 22, 2025 at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. (Dr.) Uche Ogelle. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Clement Emudainohwo. During the meeting, two alumni (Adaora Ogelle—Class of 2024 and David Ogelle—Class of 2025) spoke eloquently to Warri parents about their JMC experiences. Profound gratitude was expressed to the former Warri PA Chairman, Mr. Uche Ogelle, who will be “graduating” as a member of Warri PA.
PTA EXCO MEETING AND ELECTIONS: The National Executive Council (NEC) of the PTA met on June 27, 2025 at the JMC Administrative Centre and had an election for a new PTA Vice Chairman and new PTA Financial Secretary. Mrs. Chineye Onunkwo served as the electoral officer, and Chief Clovis Okereke emerged as the new PTA Vice Chairman, while Mrs. (Barrister) Juliet Ogbonna emerged as the new PTA Financial Secretary. We congratulate the new officers and thank Mrs. Onunkwo for a transparent and free election. After the election and meeting, the PTA EXCO members had a dinner at the Jesuit Residence in honor of Mr. Uche Ogelle, who served with distinction and generosity as the PTA Vice Chairman.
PTA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM): The Annual General Meeting of PTA took place on June 28, 2025 at the Dundon Court. During the meeting, there was an awareness creation by a Child Safeguarding Officer of the school—Mrs. Stella Nwagwu. We thank all those who came for our EXCO meeting and AGM.
A KIND REMINDER: ATTENDANCE AT PARENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS’ MEETINGS AND PTA MEETING IS MANDATORY: Parents are reminded that the Parents’ Association meetings are compulsory. Remember that active membership is required for clearance for graduation of your ward. Below is an extract from The Constitution of the Parents-Teachers’ Association:
For all parents of this Association, at least 60% regular attendance, active participation in the Association activities and full payment of levies and dues are necessary requirements for the collection of diplomas after graduation (Article XI—Meetings—The Constitution of the Parents-Teachers’ Association).
The seven Parents’ Association branches of the college are Abuja, Akwa-Cross, Enugu, Lagos, Owerri-Onitsha-Umuahia, Port Harcourt, and Warri. Based on proximity to the place of domicile, each parent must join a Parents’ Association branch. In case of relocation, please get your PA Chairperson to write a letter to the Chairperson of the new branch you intend to join. In that letter, your PA Chairperson will state your attendance records, level of participation, and dues paid to the previous branch. Thus, all Secretaries and Financial Secretaries of Parents’ Association branches are expected to keep good records and archives. The PA Chairperson and the Financial Secretary send the clearance notes for each graduating class to the school each year.
TUCKSHOP MONEY: To reduce the frequency of top-up of the tuck-shop fund, it will be increased from N15,000.00 (fifteen thousand naira) to N30,000.00 (thirty thousand naira) in the next academic year.
SACRAMENTS OF BAPTISM AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: On June 29, 2025 (Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul), three Phoenixes were baptized into the Catholic Church, with the consent of their parents. A family member of a staff was received into the Catholic Church, and twenty Phoenixes received their First Holy Communion. Congratulations to them all. We thank the Chaplain, Fr. Uchechukwu Oguike, S.J., student catechists, and staff catechist, Mr. Solomon Orngu, for preparing the students to receive the sacraments.
COLLECTION FOR THE FAMILIES OF YELWATA MASSACRE VICTIMS: In solidarity with the suffering church at Yelwata, Benue State, a special collection was taken for the people of Yelwata during the Visiting Day Mass of Sunday, June 29, 2025 (Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul). Yelwata was attacked from the late night of Friday, June 13, 2025 through the early morning of Saturday, June 14, 2025, and over 200 residents were killed. May they rest in peace, and may support and comfort continue to pour in for the Yelwata people. We thank our parents for showing solidarity with the people of Yelwata. Further donations for the Yelwata people can be sent to JMC, GTBank 0177794475—with the donor intention clearly stated.
GRAD@GRAD RETREAT: The Class of 2025 had their graduation retreat from June 30, 2025 through July 2, 2025. Two of our Alumni, Olobo Great Dumo-Enoch (Class of 2023) and Somtochukwu Oparaeche (Class of 2024), came to give them an Ignatian pre-orientation about tertiary education. We are grateful to Olobo and Somto for coming to share their stories and experiences. In preparation to leave the Heights, the Phoenixes had a rich experience of prayers, reflections, talks, and contemplation into the future. We thank the Chaplain, Fr. Uchechukwu Oguike, S.J. and his team for animating this grad@grad retreat.
JESUIT ORDINATIONS: Rev. Tobe Edeh, S.J., who served the college as a regent from 2020 to 2022, will be ordained a Catholic priest at St. Francis Catholic Church, Idimu, Lagos on July 19, 2025. We congratulate Rev. Edeh along with Rev. Emmanuel Ogwu, S.J., Rev. Charles Obi, S.J., Rev. Vincent Wada, S.J., Rev. Thomas Djabaku, S.J., and Rev. Pius Friday, S.J. (First Liberian Jesuit priest), who will all be ordained in July this year. We thank God for blessing our Province with new Jesuit priests.
NEW MISSIONS: Mr. Martin Kundari, S.J., our Director of Admissions and Chemistry teacher, has been missioned by the Provincial to Brunel University, UK for M.Sc. studies in Molecular Genetics. We thank Mr. Kundari for his meritorious service this past one year, and we congratulate him as embarks on his new mission of studies after this academic year.
Mr. Hilary Onu, S.J. (graduating from Loyola University, Kinshasa) has been missioned by the Provincial to JMC for his regency. Among other assignments, he will serve us as the next Director of Admissions. We welcome him to JMC.
CHAPEL UPDATE: The tabernacle of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Way, sponsored by an anonymous donor, has been installed. Also, the tabernacle of Our Lady of the Angels Oratory, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Uzoude, has been installed. May God bless all those who have supported the accelerated development of our chapel. With the exception of the chapel solar energy works, sound system, CCTV, and fire alarm system, the electrification of the chapel has been completed; and the chapel has been powered. We thank Mr. Segun Moses and his indefatigable electrical team for their commitment and efficient work—night and day. We continue to seek donors to sponsor one jumbo LED screens that will be used to project the Word of God, sacred songs, homilies, and images of saints for the engagement of the Phoenixes during Masses. It costs 10,000 USD. Many thanks again to Engr. Victor Okahia for the sponsorship of the first jumbo LED screen with 10,000 USD. We are also looking for sponsors for the furnishing of the Chaplain’s Office, Choir Robes Room, Chapel Auditorium, and many others. We encourage everyone to continue to make generous donations to Jesuit Memorial College, First Bank 2024616041. THANK YOU.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE JMC GO GREEN PROJECT FOR PHOENIXES’ HOSTELS: Immense gratitude to all parents and all Parents’ Association branches for their active participation in the capital campaign for the Go Green Fundraising chaired by Chief Clovis Okereke. As Chief Okereke announced on Sunday, June 29, 2025, the drive is ongoing, and once the target is exceeded, the additional funds will be used to start building an approved model unit of the staff housing. Collectively, about N80,000,000.00 (eighty million naira) has been raised so far. Thank you all for the ongoing drive. There is hope that, God willing, the hostels of the Phoenixes would be provided with sustainable energy in preparation for the next academic year. The capital campaign for this noble project is in honor of late Pope Francis—a champion of ecological and social justice.
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM
(FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD)