By Olivia Obijiaku
Some members of Lagos Branch of Charles Heerey Memorial Juniorate (CHMJ), Urualla Alumnae Association paid visit to the inmates of Nigerian Correctional Service, Female Custodial Facility, Kirikiri- Lagos on Saturday, 21st September, 2024.
The visit was led by the President of the branch, Chief Lady Chinonyelum Azuka Okafor (Nee Agunenye. Osodieme na Omuma; Ada di Ora Mma na Umuchima; Obata Ihe Adi I; na Umunna), who expressed the group’s interest in the welfare of the inmates. She told them to remain hopeful for better days ahead, encouraging them to make the best of their stay there so that they may come out better persons, contributing positively to the society.
Speaking also at the facility, the Treasurer of the Organizing Committee, Dr. (Mrs.) Patricia Uchenna Okeke (Nee Ezeunara), told the internees that though their physical bodies are within the cells, their inner man remains creative and beautiful, even as she encouraged them to unleash their potentials therein, in imitation of St Paul, who wrote the epistles while in prison, just as Sabina Nwachukwu charged them to keep up the faith, despite their current state.
Also in attendance was a Vincentian, Rev Fr Nichloas Ibeneme, who was to mark his birthday, on 24th September, 2024. Fr. Ibeneme was especially excited to accompany the group there as earlier visits to the Correctional Centre in Enugu sprouted the seed of vocation to the priesthood in him. He recalled how visiting the centre in his secondary school days motivated him to quest for the priesthood so that he may serve God, giving hope to the imprisoned.
A representative of the female inmates thanked the group for remembering them. She solicited for microphone for the Holy Mass and other activities they hold in the chapel. In response, Mrs. Okafor revealed that it was the desire of the Old Girls to reach out to them so as to know their needs and how to assist them. She promised to provide the public address system in addition to looking into their other needs through the Chaplain.
The visit was balanced by positive action as the visitors donated different items to the inmates including; packs of sanitary towels, cartons of joy soap, cartons of Good Mama detergents; cartons of sachet Close-Up toothpaste; cartons of toothbrush; bags of slippers, drugs among others – in addition to feeding all three hundred and fifty inmates therein.
In a telephone with The Trinitas Newspaper Onitsha, the Vice President of the branch and Head, Fund Raising Committee, Nnanna Nkechinyere Theresa disclosed that it was not an easy task considering the harsh economy accomplishing the task which was birthed at their June 2024 General Meeting. She thanked God for making it possible, acknowledging the sacrifices of the president, members, including those of about thirty members who made it to the centre in a 32 Coaster Bus.
Reacting to the kind gesture, members of the association from other branches thanked Lagos Branch for making their Alma Mata proud. While some described it as living out the true meaning of Christianity, others saw it as a way of thanking the founder of the Religious Institute of the Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, Archbishop Charles Heerey of blessed memory.
Archbishop Charles Heerey’s desire for a Juniorate materialized when the then Superior General, Mother Mary Joseph Uzoigwe established this noble institution in January 1971. “Then,” said the immediate past Superior General of the Congregation, Mother Mary Claude Oguh, “Fifty-seven young girls wishing to become religious of IHM Congregation arrived at the new facility. Since then, life has never been the same for every girl who passed through the gates of this great institution because the Juniorate has continued to shape who she would become.”
CHMJ, established for the total formation of the girl child, has continued to produce religious and non-religious women who excel in different fields of endeavor across the world.
