Christ the King College, Onitsha (CKC), popularly known as CKC Onitsha, or Amaka Boys, is a Catholic all-boys secondary school in Onitsha, Nigeria. It is ranked the top-ranked high school in Nigeria and 36th in the top 100 best high schools in Africa as of February 2014.
CKC was founded on February 2, 1933, by the late Archbishop Charles Heerey, CsSp, along with Fredrick Akpali Modebe and his wife Margret, who (like in the other schools they founded) not only provided the land, but also built the first administration block and the first hostel accommodation. Heerey remained the proprietor of the school until his death in the spring of 1967.
The chief mission of the school is to develop indigenous manpower and leadership skills from the vast pool of Nigerian youths and in a Catholic tradition and environment. The first principal of the college was Fr Leo Brolly.
Contents
History
CKC was affected adversely by the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). Most of its infrastructure was destroyed. The school was taken over by the East Central State Government in 1973 and renamed "Heerey High School", after its founder. However, following representations by its alumni, the school's name was changed back to its original name, "Christ The King College (CKC)" in 1976, and the pre-war first indigenous principal of the school, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Tagbo, was also brought back that year to reorganize, rebuild, and re-energize the school. CKC was finally returned to the Catholic Mission by the state government on 1 January 2009.
The school
CKC is located on Oguta Road in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. Its motto is Bonitas, Disciplina, Scientia (Latin) (Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge). As of February 2014, the school is currently ranked the number 1 (the best) high school in Nigeria, and 36th in the top 100 best secondary schools in Africa. The school's colours are White and Royal Blue. The college has active alumni associations in Nigeria (Abuja, Benin-City, Enugu, Lagos, Onitsha, Owerri, and Port-Harcourt), and in the United States ("Christ the King College Onitsha Alumni Association USA").
School population
Throughout the years prior to the civil war, the school's population was pegged at 600 to ensure appropriate student/teacher ratio and high-quality education. After the civil war, in the 1970s, the student population ballooned to over 4,000. However, following years of reorganization, the school's student population is now 2,597, split between (Grades 7- 12); Junior Secondary School (1,350) and Senior Secondary School (1,247).
Sporting and extra-curricular activities
The school plays association football, track and field athletics, handball, hockey and lawn tennis. Its football (soccer) team won the World Secondary School Championship in Dublin, Ireland in 1977.
Houses
The dormitories are classified as school houses for administration, management and sports competition purposes. The current houses are: Tagbo, Brolly, Azikiwe, Heerey, Okagbue, Modebe, Arinze, Aniogu, Mbanefo, Orjiakor, Allagoa, Butler, and Flanagan.
The pre-civil war Houses were: St. Charles, St. Gabriel, St Williams, St Michael's, and St. Joseph.
School publications
The X-Ray (Students)
Bonitas (Students)
The Amaka Gazette (Alumni)
Amaka's Voice (Alumni)
List of principals
1st Rev Fr. W.L. Brolly: 1933–1937
2nd Rev. Fr. M Flanagan: 1938–1941
3rd Rev. Fr J. Keane: 1942–1943
4th Rev. Fr. A. Callaghan: 1943
5th Rev. Fr. M. Flanagan: 1943–1948
6th Rev. Fr. M. Clifford: 1949–1953
7th Rev. Fr. W Butler: 1953–1954
8th Rev. Fr. J. Keane: 1955–1956
9th Rev. Fr. J. FitzPatrick: 1956–1963
10th Rev. Fr. Nicholas Tagbo: 1963–1972 (First indigenous principal)
11th Chief A.A.O. Ezenwa: 1973–1974
12th Rev. H. Chiwuzie: 1974–1975
13th Mr. P. E. Ezeokeke: 1975–1976
14th Rev. Fr. N.C. Tagbo: 1976–1985
15th Mr. M. N. Enemou: 1985–1987
16th Rev. Dr. V. A. Nwosu: 1987–1996
17th Mr. J.E. Chukwurah: 1996–1997
18th Mr. E. C. Umeh: 1997–2000
19th Chief N. E. Olisah: 2000–2008
20th Chief A. Obika: 2008–2009
21st Mr. E. Ezenduka: 2009–2010
Notable alumni
Olisa Agbakoba (b 29 May 1953) lawyer, former president of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, and human rights activist.
Justice Anthony Aniagolu, justice of the supreme court of Nigeria and chairman of the 1988–89 Constituent Assembly
Justice Chukwunweike Idigbe, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Chike Francis Ofodile, OFR (November 20, 1924 - August 3, 2014) former Attorney General and the Minister for Justice of Nigeria from (1985 - 1991) and former Judge of the International Court of Justice from (1984 - 1985). He was once the traditional Prime Minister of Onitsha
Gov. Peter Obi (b 19 July 1961) Former governor of Anambra State
Gov. Willie Obiano (b 8 August 1955) Former Governor of Anambra State.
Archbishop Valerian M. Okeke (b 20 October 1953) Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Onitsha since 1 September 2003
Dr. Pius N.C. Okigbo (6 February 1924 – 2000) economist from Ojoto
John Munonye (April 1929 – 10 May 1999), one of the most prolific Nigerian literary writers of the 20th century, and author of The Only Son (African Writers Series) among many others.
Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa (22 September 1924 - 5 May 2014) (retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria), former Chairman of the Human Rights Violation and Investigation Commission (popularly called Oputa Panel)
Prof. Patrick Utomi (b 6 February 1956) Founder Lagos Business School, African Democratic Congress presidential candidate (2007)