Dr. Dominic Nwankwo, a former student of St. John Bosco Seminary, Isuaniocha, Awka-North Local Government Area, Anambra State, defied the myth that teacher awards are only found in heaven by giving one of his former professors a brand-new car.
Alongside fellow alumni, such as Mr. Valentine Obienyem, chair of the Old Boys Association Board of Trustees at the school; Comrade Celestine Oguegbu, president; and Sir Chidubem Iloghalu, secretary-general, Dr. Nwankwo presented Monsignor Sylvester Mgbemfulu with a N100,000 monthly allowance, which would cover a year’s worth of car fuel.
He also gave Msgr. Mgbemfulu a surprise by giving her a three-year insurance cover and N50,000 for emergency auto maintenance.
Dr. Nwankwo gave a presentation on Wednesday at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Nibo, Awka-South LGA, and he conveyed his sincere gratitude for Msgr. Mgbemfulu’s leadership and mentoring.
“We were deeply influenced by the teacher’s (Monsignor Mgbemfulu’s) dedication and commitment to education, and this act was a way to express profound gratitude, especially in support of his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination,” Dr Nwankwo stated.
After Francis Cardinal Arinze, who was then an archbishop, bestowed the priesthood on Msgr. Mgbemfulu in 1974, he spent nearly his entire active priestly career serving at seminaries, where he also taught chemistry for more than 40 years.
Comrade Celestine Oguegbu, a lecturer at the university, spoke during the handover and said it demonstrated the long-lasting influence educators had on their students’ lives.
A “poignant reminder of the profound influence educators can have beyond the classroom,” he added, was another way it was useful.
Msgr. Mgbemfulu, touched by the gift, emphasized the necessity of maintaining student relationships. He begged for God to continue guiding all of his former students and offered his sincere gratitude.
