The Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese in Rivers State, Rt. Reverend Innocent Ordu, has said the diocese did not fail in the running of schools returned to it by the state government.
Ordu spoke yesterday at an event organised by the old girls’ association of Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls’ School, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, to mark the school’s 80th anniversary.
The bishop said: “We want to begin with ourselves that from the moment, the government returned the school to us, we saw it as a trust. We took it up as a mission and we told ourselves that the challenges, notwithstanding, we will do everything under God to prove ourselves faithful with the trust we received.
“I am sure as you move round this school compound and take a look, you will see that the Diocese of Evo has not failed the government of Rivers State, we have not failed the mission and we have not failed you. We thank God for the grace he gave us to do that.”
He commended members of the association for celebrating their alma mater, saying that it was an indication that they appreciate the years they spent in the school as well as the investment made on their lives.
National president of the association, Prof. Onyaye Kunle-Olowu, said the association had opened a dedicated account to cater for all indigent students.
Earlier in her welcome speech, the chairman, local organising committee of the 80th anniversary celebration, Mrs. Joyce Ndigbara, called on all alumni of the school to join hands with the association to keep the vision of the pioneer students alive.