Dengram, we sing to you, at Centenary celebration! (2) 

Academic excellence, moral upbringing (values of selfless service and integrity) successfully achieved through disciplinary trainings (in character and learning) in the last 100 years @DMGS that have produced eminent scholars and positive thinking, skillful leaders full of wisdom, who have been groomed in all spheres of human endeavours, globally. Light dispels darkness, an undisputed fact that vividly manifests as the vision, aim, motive that formed the bedrock for the establishment of an educational institution for the training of growing children; young boys nurtured in the eastern part of the country by early missionaries that worked in Africa. The Church Missionary Society (CMS) founded and built DMGS Onitsha on scriptural injunctions, as recorded in the books of Genesis chapter 1 verse 3 (“And God said, Let there be light; and there was light”); and Acts of the Apostles chapter 9 verse 3 (“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus; and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven”); which started with 65 students (19 boarding- and 46 day-students), precisely on 25th January, 1925. Remarkable and very striking about this particular coincidental day, “25th January” in the Christian calendar, is that the same day DMGS started coincided with conversion of St Paul, as recorded and narrated above in Acts 9:3 on that singular encounter where Saul was instantly converted to Paul. This is divine because young boys are being converted to carry the torch of truth with pride and distinction through educational training at DMGS. It is not by accident that the light has been shining all through the last 100 years, sustaining the legacy of the school’s motto “Lux Fiat” (meaning “show the light”)!

As DMGS (Dengram) celebrates 100 years of showing the light (as contained in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”) in a sustainable manner, the future generations of Nigerian families and youths, are here corporately challenged (without equivocation) by these visible legacies in her academic exploits and achievements. A secondary school, by her dint of hard work (academic Duty rendered), spirit to give (Magnanimity) by teachers pouring themselves out to impart knowledge on the students, in appreciation (Gratitude to the Almighty who gave them that privilege) and selfless in service to humanity (Sacrifice), has produced and is still in the business of producing more top notch, high caliber scientists, technical innovators, public administrators, faith-based ministers/even bishops, academicians and renowned leaders in all works of life. Notable among those in the business world (to mention but a few currently sponsoring key Centenary Projects) are Chief Dr Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi (class of 1978; the group Chairman of Nestoil Group), and Engr. Dozie Mbanefo (class of 1984; Chairman of New Crystal Communications; whose LED billboard advertisements, strategically positioned in not less than 33 major cities in the country are proudly displaying “DMGS @100 years” all through this 2025, which runs in millions of naira; being a way of giving back to the Alma Mater). In all the noble professions of human life, uncountable old boys of DMGS had and are still attaining their apex positions; the legal profession has numerous justices in the country; in the medical and engineering professions, the same thing applies to their respective specialties as world class figures (the academia inclusive); in governance, in the military, financial institutions, global figures in the field of sports, in spiritual and community leadership positions (royalty), etcetera.     

These are living testimonies (one is not ignorant of the fact that a few older schools like Kings College Lagos and Hope Wardell in Calabar are in the league of Ivy schools that are very much around); which young Nigerians and upcoming institutions for secondary education are urged to emulate, while pursuing their academic programmes anywhere in the world. The Proprietor of DMGS, Rt. Rev Dr. Owen C. Nwokolo (the Bishop on the Niger) in his sermon during the Centenary service, openly commended this great school and her achievements in education, while mentioning that DMGS has birthed the University on the Niger (whose motto is “Lux Fiat Via Sapientia”), situated in Umunya, Anambra State, for the Diocese. All promising and positive thinking secondary schools (both government owned and private schools) are therefore, passionately urged to diligently pursue their academic responsibilities in nurturing the growing boys and girls, to turn out better citizens and world class leaders of future generations.

In governance, socioeconomic services that involve educational responsibilities and health care, must not be looked down upon or ignored, if the economy of the sovereign state must grow progressively because human capital development is the key, the indirect economic growth pillars. Emphasis should therefore be critically laid in supporting educational services that would mold the beacons of academic excellence in the land, drawing from the example DMGS has shown in its 100 years of existence.

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