By Olivia Obijiaku
No fewer than forty members of Lagos Branch of Charles Heerey Memorial Juniorate (CHMJ), Urualla Alumnae Association celebrated their annual end of the year thanksgiving on Sunday, December 1, 2024. The event which took place at the group President, Chief (Lady) Chinonyelum Azuka Okafor’s parish – St Cyril Catholic Church, Okota, Ago Palace Way, Lagos State coincided with the parish Harvest and Bazaar Celebrations where she was the Chief Launcher of the Parish Harvest and Bazaar and Ezinne St Cyril
At the end of the Mass, the celebrants proceeded to a member, Mrs. Ezinne Duru’s house for the celebration. In her welcome address, the president expressed gratitude to God for seeing her and her group through the year, recalling the achievements the group recorded in the course of the year. She also thanked members of the group for working in unity with her. Lolo Okafor welcomed new members to the group and offered each of them the association’s uniform as a way of encouraging them to bond with them.
Displaying her contagious stamp of generosity, Lady Okafor assisted ten members of the group who were recommended for empowerment with the sum of two hundred thousand naira (₦200,000.00) each. She also gave the sum of five hundred thousand naira (₦500,000.00) to the group.
Members who paid courtesy visit to the president at the end of the celebration were well taken care of. Each of them also smiled home with 10kg bag of rice. Complimenting their leader’s exemplary leadership, members of the group decorated the amiable captain for her selfless service.
The Chairperson of the end of the year celebration, Mrs. Obiamaka Obi reminded members to remain good ambassadors of their Alma Mater; associate with one another and encouraged those who have not yet joined the group to do so. She also shared her product, ‘Edge Control Gel’ while some others shared perfumes out among members.
The achievements for the year include a visit to Female Custodial Facility Kirikiri – Lagos on Saturday, September 21, 2024; purchase of microphone for the celebration of the Holy Mass for the inmates; and release of ten inmates from Maximum Prison Apapa, Lagos State in October 31, and November 1, 2024 respectively.