The Class of 1982 of Saint Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School Benin City have pleaded with the Edo State Government to consider returning the school 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), made the passionate appeal in Lagos recently when they marked their 40 years reunion after leaving school.
The event with the theme: “Women, Wealth and Winning” saw many old girls across the world from all walks of life gather to reminisce on their time at the school.
Speaking during the event, a member of the alumni association and Deputy Director at the Nigerian Communications Commission Mrs. Grace Bose Ojougboh, 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 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 and we believe our alma mater is poised to deliver on this even more with its management being under the Catholic Mission,” Ojougboh said.
She stated that, 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.
Also, a banker and an old girl of the school Mrs. Ijeoma Isiolu, lamented on the very poor state of the school since it was taken over by the government.
She said the association looks forward to the time when the school will be returned to the Catholic mission.
On her part, a lawyer and member of the Class of 1982 Henrietta Iweze, 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 really 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.