Edo government urged to return St. Maria Goretti Girls' School to Catholic mission
The Class of 1982 at Saint Maria Goretti Girls' High School in Benin City pleaded with the Edo State Government to consider returning the school to the Catholic Mission to improve education girls.
The former students, under the auspices of the Saint Maria Goretti Old Girls Association (SMAGOGA), recently made an impassioned plea in Lagos where they celebrated 40 years of reunion after leaving school.
>The event saw many old girls from around the world from all walks of life come together to reminisce about their time at school. The theme of the meeting was: "Women, Wealth and Victory".
Speaking during the program, Mrs. Grace Bose Ojougboh, member of the alumni association and deputy director of the Nigerian Communications Commission, called on the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to consider returning the school to the Catholic mission toward reclaiming the school's centuries-old glory.
“Now, more than ever, there is a need to empower and nurture girls who are godly, confident, and equipped with the skills and ability to function as leaders and nation builders in the 21st century and we believe that our alma mater is ready to achieve this even more with its management under the responsibility of the Catholic Mission,” said Ojougboh.
She said that over the years, the Class of 1982 has partnered with the national body of the Old Maids Association of St Maria Goretti to rejuvenate the school and support the students through the allocation of scholarships and the acquisition of skills.
Mrs. Ijeoma Isiolu, a seasoned banker and old school girl, lamented the very poor state of the school since it was taken over by the government. She said the association looks forward to when the school is returned to the Catholic mission.
Henrietta Iweze, lawyer and member of the Class of 1982, spoke about the need for women to support women and the importance of winning and creating wealth. She stressed that women should be open to change and stressed the need for women to always give value wherever they are.
Mrs. Maureen Okoro-Sokoh, Human Resources Consultant and Managing Director of Estymol Group, called on her classmates to use the opportunity of the meeting to really come together and empower each other in different ways.
Speaking along the same lines, Ms. Ononuju Irukwu, Financial Expert and Wealth Advisor with First Bank of Nigeria, also Class of 1982, emphasized the need for women to be empowered by the education and financial inclusion.
Irukwu said financial literacy opens doors and more opportunities for women and helps them make informed decisions.
The class of 82 members' walk down memory lane brought many nostalgic feelings of joy and gratitude for the wonderful time spent together at school and the training and discipline they received during of their formative years which, they agreed, made them women of excellence.
The entire Class of 1982 also used the reunion to visit heritage homes located in Anthony Village in Lagos State to reach out to the less privileged in society as plans are underway to visit their alma mater in Benin City.
The Saint Maria Goretti Girls' High School was founded on March 4, 1959 by the Catholic Mission. It was Benin City's first "all-girls" secondary school. The school was named after Saint Maria Goretti as it was established in the same year. Maria Goretti, a 12-year-old girl, who represented purity of mind and body, was canonized by the Catholic Church.
Reverend Sister Dr. Henrietta Powers, a member of the Missionary Order of the Sister of Our Lady of the Apostles, served as the 4th Principal and Pioneer from 1961 until December 1984, when she retired. She managed the affairs of the school and raised women, who became excellent women, breaking down barriers, changing and impacting their communities in all spheres of life.
St Maria Goretti Girls' High School in its heyday, under the Catholic Mission, was the school of choice for people who wanted full spiritual, moral, professional and academic development for girls.
The Class of 1982 at Saint Maria Goretti Girls' High School in Benin City pleaded with the Edo State Government to consider returning the school to the Catholic Mission to improve education girls.
The former students, under the auspices of the Saint Maria Goretti Old Girls Association (SMAGOGA), recently made an impassioned plea in Lagos where they celebrated 40 years of reunion after leaving school.
>The event saw many old girls from around the world from all walks of life come together to reminisce about their time at school. The theme of the meeting was: "Women, Wealth and Victory".
Speaking during the program, Mrs. Grace Bose Ojougboh, member of the alumni association and deputy director of the Nigerian Communications Commission, called on the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to consider returning the school to the Catholic mission toward reclaiming the school's centuries-old glory.
“Now, more than ever, there is a need to empower and nurture girls who are godly, confident, and equipped with the skills and ability to function as leaders and nation builders in the 21st century and we believe that our alma mater is ready to achieve this even more with its management under the responsibility of the Catholic Mission,” said Ojougboh.
She said that over the years, the Class of 1982 has partnered with the national body of the Old Maids Association of St Maria Goretti to rejuvenate the school and support the students through the allocation of scholarships and the acquisition of skills.
Mrs. Ijeoma Isiolu, a seasoned banker and old school girl, lamented the very poor state of the school since it was taken over by the government. She said the association looks forward to when the school is returned to the Catholic mission.
Henrietta Iweze, lawyer and member of the Class of 1982, spoke about the need for women to support women and the importance of winning and creating wealth. She stressed that women should be open to change and stressed the need for women to always give value wherever they are.
Mrs. Maureen Okoro-Sokoh, Human Resources Consultant and Managing Director of Estymol Group, called on her classmates to use the opportunity of the meeting to really come together and empower each other in different ways.
Speaking along the same lines, Ms. Ononuju Irukwu, Financial Expert and Wealth Advisor with First Bank of Nigeria, also Class of 1982, emphasized the need for women to be empowered by the education and financial inclusion.
Irukwu said financial literacy opens doors and more opportunities for women and helps them make informed decisions.
The class of 82 members' walk down memory lane brought many nostalgic feelings of joy and gratitude for the wonderful time spent together at school and the training and discipline they received during of their formative years which, they agreed, made them women of excellence.
The entire Class of 1982 also used the reunion to visit heritage homes located in Anthony Village in Lagos State to reach out to the less privileged in society as plans are underway to visit their alma mater in Benin City.
The Saint Maria Goretti Girls' High School was founded on March 4, 1959 by the Catholic Mission. It was Benin City's first "all-girls" secondary school. The school was named after Saint Maria Goretti as it was established in the same year. Maria Goretti, a 12-year-old girl, who represented purity of mind and body, was canonized by the Catholic Church.
Reverend Sister Dr. Henrietta Powers, a member of the Missionary Order of the Sister of Our Lady of the Apostles, served as the 4th Principal and Pioneer from 1961 until December 1984, when she retired. She managed the affairs of the school and raised women, who became excellent women, breaking down barriers, changing and impacting their communities in all spheres of life.
St Maria Goretti Girls' High School in its heyday, under the Catholic Mission, was the school of choice for people who wanted full spiritual, moral, professional and academic development for girls.
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