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Bukola Afeni
The Edo State Government have been called on to re- consider returning Saint Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School Benin to the Catholic Mission to enhance the education of the girl child.
The old students, under the auspices of Saint Maria Goretti Old Girls’ Association (SMAGOGA) 1982 set, made the passionate appeal in Lagos recently where they marked their 40 years reunion after leaving school.
Speaking during the programme, Mrs Grace Bose Ojougboh, a member of the alumni association and Deputy Director at the Nigerian Communications Commission, called on the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to consider returning the School to the Catholic Mission towards reclaiming the school’s age-long glory.
“Now, more than ever before, there is a need to empower and raise girls who are pious, confident and equipped with the skill and capacity to function as leaders and nation builders in the 21st century”. Ojougboh added.
“The Class of 1982 has, over the years, joined hands with the national body of St Maria Goretti Old Girls Association to give the school a facelift as well as support the students through award of scholarships and skills acquisition.”
Mrs Ijeoma Isiolu, a seasoned banker and an old girl of the school, lamented the very poor state of the school since it was taken over by the government.
“The association looks forward to the time when the school will be returned to the Catholic mission,” Isiolu added.
Henrietta Iweze, a lawyer and member of the Class of 1982, spoke on the need for women to support women and the importance of winning and creating wealth. She emphasised that women should be open to change, and stressed the need for women to always give value wherever they find themselves.
Mrs Maureen Okoro-Sokoh, a human resource consultant and Managing Director, Estymol Group, called on her classmates to use the opportunity of the reunion to come together and empower each other in different ways.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Ononuju Irukwu, a financial expert and wealth adviser with First Bank of Nigeria who is also of the Class of 1982, stressed the need for women to be empowered through education and financial inclusion.
Irukwu stated that financial literacy opens doors and more opportunities for women and helps them to make informed decisions.
The walk down memory lane by members of the Class of 82 brought a lot of nostalgic feelings of joy and gratitude for the wonderful time spent together at the school, and the training and discipline they received in their formative years which, they agreed, have moulded them into women of excellence.
The Class of 1982 set also used the opportunity of the reunion to visit the Heritage Homes located in the Anthony Village of Lagos State to reach out to the less privileged in the society while plans are in the works to visit their alma mater in Benin City.
Saint Maria Goretti Girls’ Grammar School was founded on March 4, 1959, by the Catholic Mission. It was the first “All Girls” Secondary School in Benin City. The School was named after St. Maria Goretti as it was established the same year Maria Goretti, a 12-year-old girl, who stood for purity in mind and body was canonised by the Catholic Church.
Late Rev. Sister Dr Henrietta Powers, a member of the missionary order of the sister of Our Lady of Apostles, was the 4th Principal and the trailblazer from 1961 to December 1984 when she retired from service.
She managed the affairs of the school and raised women, who have become excellent women, breaking barriers, changing and impacting their communities in all spheres of life.
