Abuja: Some Abuja Archdiocesan Catholic priests have organized a back-to-school retreat to equip secondary school students in the FCT with academic success strategies and character-building skills. Rev. Fr. Pascal Nwoko, an Educational Psychologist and Therapist, inaugurated the maiden edition of the retreat at the St. Donald Catholic Church in Karu FHA, Abuja on Monday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the week-long retreat, taking place from September 1 to 6, is being held at St. Donald Catholic Church Karu, Church of Assumption Asokoro, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Galadima. Nwoko explained that the retreat is designed to holistically develop students as they prepare for the new academic session beginning in September. He highlighted the complex challenges students face during the resumption, such as academic pressure, peer comparison, identity struggles, and emotional stress, which can hinder both academic performance and spiritual growth.
Nwoko emphasized that the retreat aims to prepare students mentally, spiritually, and academically, fostering resilience, goal setting, success, and accountability. The initiative also intends to anchor students psycho-spiritually for holistic growth. The retreat focuses on five pillars: goal setting, success strategies, mentorship, psychological coping skills, and spiritual anchoring, aiming to nurture resilient, goal-driven, emotionally healthy, and spiritually grounded students.
The program is open to teenagers from JSS1 to SS3 across the FCT and is not limited to Catholic children and wards alone. Nwoko also mentioned a follow-up program to monitor students’ academic progression and character development, ensuring resilience and accountability throughout the academic session.
Rev. Fr. Felix Ilemona, a Clinical Psychologist, highlighted the psychological benefits of such retreats, noting that it provides students with coping strategies for academic pressure, enhances emotional stability, and promotes confidence in handling personal and social challenges. Practical guidance on psychological coping skills is also provided to help students manage peer pressure and other adolescent challenges.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Obada, a Bioethicist Psychologist, delivered a goodwill message, stating that the retreat combines bioethics with psychology, equipping teenagers to make responsible choices in academics, relationships, and everyday life. A parent whose child is participating in the retreat expressed appreciation to the Catholic Church for the initiative, describing it as timely and beneficial for students’ mental, academic, and spiritual preparation for the new school term.