The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, has urged students of St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, to cherish the values, discipline and knowledge instilled in them by the school, reminding that those lessons will shape their character and conduct as responsible members of society long after their graduation.

He spoke at the send-forth ceremony organised in honour of the immediate past administrator of of the college, Emmanuel Ayeni, who served the 97-year-old school for 11 years.

The event, held at the school premises, brought together members of the clergy, staff, students, parents and alumni of the St. Gregory’s College Old Boys’ Association, as well as other well-wishers to celebrate Ayeni and formally welcome his successor.

Ayeni, a dedicated priest, visionary leader and distinguished administrator, was described by speakers as a man whose years of selfless service brought remarkable transformation, growth and development to the college community.

Addressing the students during his homily and remarks, Martins said Catholic education has always been understood by the church, not merely as the transmission of academic knowledge, but as the holistic formation of the human person — spiritually, morally, intellectually and socially.

He told the students that by holding fast to all they had been taught and treasuring the knowledge imparted by their teachers, they would become better ambassadors of St. Gregory’s College.

“You will be students we can speak of with pride, joy and enthusiasm, knowing that we played a part in shaping you as students of St. Gregory’s College,” he said.

The archbishop commended the students for their disposition and conduct during the ceremony, noting that their comportment was a source of pride to their teachers and the outgoing administrator.

He said their behaviour reflected the values of diligence, respect and responsibility that the school has laboured to instill over the years.

Commending Ayeni for his outstanding performance over a decade, Martins said the outgoing administrator distinguished himself as a faithful steward and a visionary administrator.

According to him, throughout his tenure, Ayeni combined academic excellence with discipline, compassion with firmness, and administrative competence with evangelical zeal.

“Your leadership reflected the mind of Christ, who came ‘not to be served but to serve’. Your administration consistently sought to form young men who are not only intellectually sound, but also morally responsible and spiritually grounded — citizens capable of contributing meaningfully to the Church and society,” the archbishop said.

In his remarks, the new administrator of St. Gregory’s College, John Njorteah, said the event was organised to honour a man whose presence shaped lives in ways words may never fully capture.

He stated that Ayeni was more than an administrator, but someone who embodied the essence of the college and served as a steady, guiding light for many students, teachers and parents.

He expressed appreciation to archbishop Martins for his presence and fatherly support, while also commending the school’s alumni association for playing a critical role in the development trajectory of the college through projects and mentorship.

The President of St. Gregory’s College Old Boys’ Association, Francis Kudayah, said Ayeni’s tenure had been one of the longest and most impactful in the recent history of the school.

He noted that under Ayeni’s leadership, the college not only upheld its legacy of academic excellence and moral formation, but also witnessed tangible growth and transformation across multiple fronts, including infrastructure upgrade, digital learning initiatives, and stronger alumni engagement.

Responding, Ayeni expressed appreciation to God, to archbishop Martins, and to the staff and students of the college, noting that he could not have achieved anything without their support and cooperation.

He acknowledged the challenges of administering a historic institution, but said the commitment of the entire school community made the work rewarding. Ayeni asked school stakeholders, staff and students to extend the same support and loyalty to his successor so that he could build on the achievements recorded and take the school to greater heights in the years ahead.