By Diana Omueza
Some Catholic priests and professionals have organised a Back-to-School Retreat to help secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) build resilience, overcome trauma and resist negative social influences before resumption.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat, tagged “Back to School, Anchored for Success!”, aims to help students develop resilience, manage social pressures, process difficult experiences and remain academically grounded.
Sponsored by Mindora Wellness, the programme is designed for students from Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) to Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) ahead of the commencement of a new academic session.
Rev. Fr. Paschal Nwoko, an educational psychologist and therapist, told NAN in Abuja on Thursday that the initiative was designed to prepare students mentally, spiritually, emotionally and academically for challenges ahead.
Nwoko said the 2026 edition placed greater emphasis on resilience, helping students identify negative social influences and develop healthy responses to pressures that could affect their wellbeing and academic performance.
He explained that the retreat would also address the need for young people to heal from traumatic experiences while equipping them with practical strategies for managing emotional, social and academic challenges.
According to him, the programme seeks to help students develop resilience, set meaningful goals and cultivate healthy habits that would support them throughout the academic session and improve overall performance.
“The retreat is designed to prepare students mentally, spiritually, emotionally and academically for the journey ahead, while helping them build resilience, set goals and develop healthy habits throughout the school year.
“The programme covers a lot, including the conferences, one-on-one sessions, meditation, Art therapy, Goal setting, affirmations, growth group, Mass, Confession, Adoration and Benediction for Catholics.
“We collaborate and consolidate the growth process of every participating child and ward,” he said, emphasising that the retreat provides comprehensive support for participants and their families.
Nwoko said another major focus of the programme was teaching participants the art of hearing from God through meditation, which he described as an important aspect of spiritual growth.
He added that students would be exposed to practical success strategies, mentorship, personal counselling, psychological coping skills and spiritual guidance aimed at strengthening their confidence and future aspirations.
“The teenagers need the right tools to navigate peer pressure, negative influences and difficult experiences, while remaining focused on their academic and personal development,” he said.
Nwoko said the programme, which commenced on Aug. 24 at St. Christopher Catholic Church, Games Village, would continue in participating parishes across Abuja until Sept. 1.
He listed the venues as Blessed Iwene Tansi Catholic Church, Pyakasa, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Wuye and Christ the King Catholic Church, Kubwa, where sessions remained ongoing.
Rev. Fr. Felix Ilemona, a clinical psychologist and facilitator, said participants were being guided on emotional wellbeing, coping mechanisms and practical strategies for managing pressures associated with adolescence.
Ilemona encouraged parents and guardians to register their children and wards at any participating parish, adding that the retreat remained open to both Catholic and non-Catholic students.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Obada, a bioethicist and therapist, said the programme was helping students develop responsible decision-making skills, ethical values and healthy choices in academic and personal pursuits.
Obada appealed to individuals and organisations to sponsor children whose parents might be unable to afford registration fees, noting that such support would expand access significantly.
According to him, sponsorship would provide more young people with access to mentorship, guidance and practical tools needed to navigate the new academic year successfully and confidently.
The facilitators said Mindora Wellness would continue supporting participants beyond the retreat through complementary care services, including substance-use addiction support and specialised learning assistance for children with ADHD.(NAN)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru