Abuja: 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. According to News Agency of Nigeria, 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, explained that the initiative was designed to prepare students mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and academically for challenges ahead. The 2026 edition places greater emphasis on resilience, helping students identify negative social influences and develop healthy responses to pressures that could affect their wellbeing and academic performance.
Nwoko highlighted 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. 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 includes conferences, one-on-one sessions, meditation, art therapy, goal setting, affirmations, growth groups, and religious services for Catholics.
Another major focus of the programme is teaching participants the art of hearing from God through meditation, an important aspect of spiritual growth. Students will be exposed to practical success strategies, mentorship, personal counselling, psychological coping skills, and spiritual guidance aimed at strengthening their confidence and future aspirations. The programme, which commenced on Aug. 24 at St. Christopher Catholic Church, Games Village, will continue in participating parishes across Abuja until Sept. 1.
Rev. Fr. Felix Ilemona, a clinical psychologist and facilitator, mentioned that participants are being guided on emotional wellbeing, coping mechanisms, and practical strategies for managing pressures associated with adolescence. He encouraged parents and guardians to register their children at any participating parish, noting that the retreat is open to both Catholic and non-Catholic students.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Obada, a bioethicist and therapist, emphasized the programme’s role in helping students develop responsible decision-making skills, ethical values, and healthy choices in academic and personal pursuits. He appealed to individuals and organisations to sponsor children whose parents might be unable to afford registration fees, highlighting that such support would expand access significantly.
The facilitators conveyed that 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.