Edo State Urged to Return Saint Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School to Catholic Mission

Emma Okonji

The Class of 1982 of Saint Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School Benin City has 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 the school.

The event saw many old girls across the world gather to reminisce on their time at the school.

The theme of the reunion was: “Women, Wealth and Winning.”

Speaking during the programme, Mrs. Grace Bose Ojougboh, member of the alumni association and Deputy Director at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) called on the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to consider returning the school to the Catholic Mission so as reclaiming the its 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 had 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.

A seasoned banker and an old girl of the school, Mrs. Ijeoma Isiolu, lamented the poor state of the school institution since it was taken over by government.

She said the association was looking forward to the time when the school would be returned to the Catholic mission.

A lawyer and member of the Class of 1982, Henrietta Iweze, spoke on the need for women to support their fellow women and the importance of winning as well as wealth creation.

She emphasised that women should be open to change and stressed the need for women to always give value wherever they find themselves.

Also, a human resource consultant and Managing Director, Estymol Group, Mrs. Maureen Okoro-Sokoh, called on her classmates to use the opportunity of the reunion to empower each other in different ways.

Speaking in the same vein, a financial expert and wealth adviser with First Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Ononuju Irukwu, 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 event brought  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 molded 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 Sate 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.