'They invested their life in us'

Past pupils of the OLA secondary school in Ijebu Ode, Nigeria travel to Ardfoyle Convent, Cork from across Ireland, England and Nigeria to give thanks to their former teachers.

Past Pupils from the OLA Secondary School in Ibedu Ode prepare to place memorial plaques on the graves of three late Sisters who taught in their school. The group are pictured with Srs. Maria Lee (left), Anne McCormack (right) and Jo Cox (centre).

Twelve past pupils from the Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School (OLASS) in Ijebu Ode, Nigeria travelled to the Ardfoyle Convent, Cork from across Ireland, England and Nigeria last month to acknowledge the role of the OLA Sisters in their education.

One of the those who made the journey to Ardfoyle was Mosun Okeowo. Mosun is one of the many from her school year who have settled in Ireland. She travelled from the east coast of Ireland to be present at the thanksgiving event and had a categoric answer when asked why she had made the journey to Cork:

"These Sisters gave us the best. They left their comfort zone in Ireland and came to Nigeria to make us what we are today. The Sisters gave us a wonderful education. They invested their lives in us!"

The group spent some time in Ardfoyle Convent with their former teachers, along with their former principal - Sr. Catherine Farrell. They also placed memorial plaques at the graves of their former teachers who have passed on - the late Srs. Sally Forde, Eymard O'Farrell and Johanna McCarthy.