…Commissions St. Philip new school building
Catholics have been enjoined to carry on the mission of Jesus Christ, given to His Church to go to the whole world to teach the good news, and all the values that come with it through the ages. The charge was given by Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, during the commissioning of the new building of St. Philip Nursery and Primary School, Shomolu, Lagos, held recently at the school premises.
Archbishop Martins said Catholic schools are called mission schools and not private school, because they are founded on the instruction that Jesus gave to us at mission, which makes all the difference. Congratulating the Priests, religious and parishioners of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Shomolu, led by Rev. Fr. JohnPaul Ale, the Parish Priest for starting and completing the new school building, Archbishop Martins thanked God for all those who have been part of the life of the parish. According to the Archbishop, the feat achieved is a product of collaboration, cooperation and working together, as he asked them to keep this up, because when people work together, they achieve greater things than they ever thought they would achieve.
He urged them to continue to work together in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation, not simply for the sake of the school but for the sake of establishming the kingdom of God, adding that the children they are tending today are the people who will carry on the work of the mission of the Church, and also make the society what God has designed it to be. According to him, “Whoever opens the door of a school, closes the gate of a prison, because you are teaching the children the values that will make for good solid life; a life of integrity, a life of contribution to society and be builders of society rather than anti social persons.”
He urged the children to grow in the love of God and obey their parents and teachers. For his part, Fr. Ale thanked the people for their prayer and support, as he added that without the help and support of the parishioners, the school would not have been where it is today. According to him, “We started this project in the year 2022, and by the grace of God, we were able to complete it this year 2024. “This marks the 20th anniversary of the old school, started by Msgr. Philip Hoteyin. We found out the school became so small and a need to improve the teaching facilities all around us.
Also speaking on the occasion, Rev. Sr. Elizabeth-Rita Omotunde SSMA, the School Supervisor, said that good facilities such as new classrooms and attractive school blocks, encourage better school attendance, which is good for the pupils and the environs of St. Philip Catholic Nursery and Primary School. She noted that good education starts with young people learning the basics of reading and writing, as well as Mathematics at elementary/primary school.
