By Chinwendu Uzoatu
Members of Queen of the Rosary College (Q.R.C.), Onitsha Old Girls Association, Awka Chapter, recently celebrated their annual feast, in commemoration of Our Lady of Rosary.
The Thanksgiving Mass, held at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, G.R.A. Awka, was well attended by the old students of the prestigious institution, Awka Chapter, who adorned their red and white uniforms.
Also in attendance were the Old Boys of Christ the King College (C.K.C.), Onitsha, and College of Immaculate Conception (C.I.C.), Enugu, Awka Chapter, respectively.
The Parish Priest of St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Awka, Very Rev. Fr. Francis Oranye called on Christian’s to always give thanks to God, as it pays to do so.
He said: “As we live our lives, may we never stop praise and thanksgiving to God . Do good to others because what you do will come back to you. God who sees everything, will see you.”
He extolled the Old Students of Q.R.C. for their thanksgiving to God, saying: “We thank God for these our sisters that are giving back to God. Let the love rain with us always.”
Fr Oranye further called on both Q.R.C; C.K.C. and C.I.C. Old Girls and Boys to continue the good work of reforming the society, because they were reformed by the old Rev. Fathers and Sisters from Irish, London and so on; who had real love of God and humanity.
The President of Q.R.C. Old Girls, Awka Chapter, Lady Chika Vin-Nwankwo PhD, gave all glory to God for their notable school. She explained that the event is an annual one to mark the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which falls every October 7.
She said: “As usual, we are groomed in the model of our mother, Mary. We always celebrate Our Lady Queen of the Holy Rosary. We are always cheerful because our mother, Mary is always cheerful.”
She explained that they give back to their great institution, saying: “We have a global body.We have built state of art library in the school, teachers accommodation to ensure adequate supervision, sick bay, among other things.
” The Principal is an old student, Rev. Sr. Maria Chijioke. We are grateful to Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Valerian Okeke. Yesterday, we dedicated a school chapel that was renovated.”
The president of the association, Lady Chika Vin-Nwankwo stated clearly that the Old Girls of Q.R.C. globally took a resolution that no child that stepped in Q.R.C. will drop out.
She said: “Through our Education Trust Fund, we sponsor that child. So much, we are grooming the younger ones of Q.R.C. to be best.”
She insisted that Q.R.C. is a remarkable school. Everywhere you go, you see us. We won an international award recently. We give thanks to God, and honor our mother, Mary,” she said.
She also explained that in Awka Chapter, as part of their celebration every year, they do charity work of thanksgiving as it’s good to touch the less privileged.
For this year, she said they would move immediately from the church to an orphanage in Amawbia to put smiles in their faces.
She equally thanked the men of C.K.C. and C.I.C. Old Boys, that celebrated with them.
A member of the association, Okeke Chinelo had these to say: “The event is thanksgiving to God in honour of the celebration of the Feast of Queen of the Holy Rosary. It is an annual event. In this chapter, at the end of the thanksgiving, we show love to the less privileged. Today, we have orphanage visitation.”
The Secretary of C.K.C. Old Boys, Barr Ifeanyi Chuks commended the Q.R.C. Old Girls for what they do. He said: “We are happy for the coordination and unity among you. Keep it up. Training the young ones is nessessary, for continuation.”
President of C.I.C. Dara Chijioke Okechukwu also said: “I commend Q.R.C. Old Girls. We are here to encourage them. Life is all about giving back. There is joy in giving back.”
Sir C. S. Chiekezie (C.K.C) and Sir Chima Nwamadu (Akunekwu) (C.I.C.) Old Boys, respectively, among others that spoke at the event, advised parents to take their children to old mission schools for good morals and better teachers. They stressed that mission schools are the best.
In her vote of thanks, the Financial Secretary, Dr Iloghalu Ifeoma Elizabeth, on behalf of the association, appreciated their visitors, C.K.C. and C.I.C. Old Boys, Awka Chapter for always being on their side.
She promised that they will answer whenever they call on them and thanked everyone that graced the occasion.
Highlights of the event included melodies from children; among other things.