Rhapsody Model School Celebrates Milestone with Awards, Donations and Plans to Establish Secondary School
…..As Philanthropist Eze Chika Nwokedi Fulfils Anniversary Promise
By Naomi Onome
Rhapsody Model Nursery and Primary School, Lagos, marked its 10th anniversary with a colourful celebration that coincided with its 2026 graduation ceremony, as school administrators, parents, pupils and distinguished guests reflected on a decade of academic excellence, godly values and impactful child development.
The event celebrated the graduation of the school’s pioneer Primary Six pupils and featured awards for outstanding teachers, students and supportive parents, while guests commended the institution for its commitment to quality education and moral upbringing.
Chairman of the school, Bishop Dr. Emmanuel Olatunji Ijaola, described the establishment of the school as a divine assignment rather than a personal ambition.
According to him, the institution was founded in obedience to God’s direction, despite having no initial plans to establish a school.
“We started with virtually nothing, but God sent help,” he said, recalling how First Bank and Accion Microfinance Bank became among the earliest organisations to support the vision.
Bishop Ijaola said the greatest fulfilment over the past decade has been seeing children nurtured into responsible, academically sound and morally upright individuals. He disclosed that the management is already preparing to establish a secondary school, noting that the facilities are in place while the school awaits the necessary regulatory approvals.
He prayed for the graduating pupils, expressing confidence that they would excel in their future careers and become responsible leaders whose lives would justify the school’s investment in them.
Director of Schools, Ambassador Rev. Shola Ijaola, described the school’s 10-year journey as challenging, exciting and fulfilling, saying raising children from different family backgrounds requires commitment, compassion and a genuine calling.
She recalled that one of the most difficult periods in the school’s history was during the COVID-19 pandemic when several parents withdrew their children due to economic hardship.
Despite those challenges, she said the school remained focused on providing quality education through dedicated teachers, a conducive learning environment and strong spiritual values.
Rev. Ijaola rated the school “10 out of 10,” describing it as an institution where destinies are moulded, excellence is encouraged and children are prepared for purposeful lives.
One of the highpoints of the celebration was the presence of philanthropist and businessman Eze Chika Nwokedi, who praised the school for its consistency in nurturing children with sound morals and quality education.
Nwokedi disclosed that he postponed other important engagements to attend the anniversary because of his admiration for the school’s impact on children and society.
The philanthropist, widely known for his humanitarian activities, said he derives great joy from supporting widows, orphanages and other vulnerable members of society. He recalled empowering more than 211 widows through one of his outreach programmes, stressing that giving back to humanity remains one of his greatest passions.
He also revealed that years earlier, he had promised the school that if it maintained its impressive standards and commitment to excellence, he would make a significant contribution to its 10th anniversary celebration.
Keeping to that promise, Nwokedi generously supported the anniversary by giving five pupils gifts worth N100,000 and donated a livestock also worth over N1,000,000 for the celebration, describing the gesture as his own way of appreciating the school’s remarkable contributions to raising future leaders and encouraging it to continue its excellent work.
He urged the graduating pupils to remain focused, assuring them that with God’s guidance they would fulfil their destinies. He also encouraged proprietors of other schools to emulate Rhapsody Model Nursery and Primary School by embracing compassion, quality education and a culture of giving.
The philanthropist further appealed to governments at all levels to prioritise education, describing it as the foundation of national development and the key to securing Nigeria’s future.
Also speaking, Pastor Ambassador Dr. Tessy Chika Nwokedi, a parent whose children attend the school, commended the institution for its conducive learning environment, moral discipline and excellent academic standards.
She narrated how her son, who previously struggled academically and had speech challenges, experienced remarkable improvement after enrolling in the school, describing the transformation as evidence of the dedication and professionalism of the teachers.
She congratulated the graduating pupils and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon the school’s proprietors, teachers and staff for their commitment to shaping the lives of young learners.
The celebration featured several memorable activities, including the cutting of the anniversary cake and the presentation of long-service awards to teachers who had served the school for five years and above. Each award recipient received a cash gift of ₦10,000 in appreciation of their dedication.
The pioneer Primary Six graduands also received special recognition. The Director of Schools presented each graduand with ₦10,000, another benefactor donated ₦5,000 each, while Eze Chika Nwokedi further gifted each of the pioneer graduates ₦20,000 in recognition of their historic achievement as the school’s first graduating class.
Parents with two or more children enrolled in the school were honoured with special awards for their loyalty and confidence in the institution, while outstanding pupils received prizes for exceptional academic performance.
As the ceremony came to a close, the 10th anniversary celebration not only commemorated a decade of educational excellence but also reaffirmed Rhapsody Model Nursery and Primary School’s vision of expanding into secondary education while continuing to raise children distinguished by academic excellence, godly character and responsible leadership.
Leave a Reply