Second-level students from OLA School in Lagos visit Ireland

Nigerian group take part in conference and visit Ardfoyle Convent.

MCSS Students pictured with OLA Sisters at Ardfoyle Convent.

Eighteen second-level students from Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School (MCSS) in Lagos, Nigeria made a symbolic visit to Ireland recently. The group were accompanied by Sr. Agnes Adepoju, OLA.  The school was opened in 1969 by the OLA Sisters and the first principal was the late Sr. Kathleen (Fachnan) O’Regan from Clonakilty in Co. Cork.

The students took part in the Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life Programme (ASLFL), hosted by the Albert Schweitzer Foundation, at NUI Maynooth from July 23-31. The ASLFL program is open to young adults aged 15-18 who have demonstrated good leadership abilities within their own community and aspire to be our next generation of leaders. The conference provides all students with a unique, cross-cultural learning experience, via lectures, workshops and team-building exercises. Students also attended from other countries including the UK, Syria, United States and Ireland.

After the conference, the students visited a number of locations across Ireland including Ardfoyle Convent in Cork. The trip to Ardfoyle was made as a way to express their appreciation for the work of the Irish OLA Sisters in Nigeria. The group spent some time praying at the grave of Sr. Kathleen O’Regan (RIP), the first principal of their school. The students also sang the School Anthem accompanied by their own school orchestra.

Click here for more on the school and the OLA Sisters in Nigeria.

Click here for more on the Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life Programme.

MCSS Students and Sr. Agnes Adepoju performing in Ardfoyle.