Abule Ado explosion: Catholic church unveils plaque to honour victims

Five years after the Abule-Ado explosion which killed the Administrator of Bethlehem Girls’ College, Abule-Ado, Lagos, Rev. Sister Henrietta Alokha and other members of staff of the college; Mr Brown Godfrey Amefule, Ms Irene Oakhu, Mr Kolawole John Ojo, Ms Esther Ofure Idemudia, Mr Aliyu Ali, Ms Abidemi Johnson, and Ms Claire Nwobodo, the Catholic Church in Lagos has unveiled a memorial stone to honour the victims.

Alokha died while rescuing her students during the incident on March 15, 2020. Speaking during the 5th anniversary memorial Mass at the old college premises in Abule Ado, the Dean, Festac Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Melvis Mayaki said: “We have gathered today on this ground five years after the event of that faithful Sunday that took away our beloved ones, our friend, Rev. Sister Alokha SSH, along with other members of staff.

He said that the occasion was meant to celebrate the rare courage exhibited by Alokha, who rescued all the students but lost her life in the process, noting that it is a reminder of the supreme sacrifice paid by Jesus for humanity.

Fr. Julian Egwuatu in his homily, said: “You must be prepared for the unpredictability of life. We thank God for the miraculous deliverance of the students of the college.”

Egwuatu added: “That day, I saw online videos of young girls trying to escape from the explosion. It was then I realised that the Bethlehem Girls College has been devastated by an explosion. Alokha laid down her life for the sake of the children on the ides of March.

“She triumphed. She won God’s favour. By sacrificing her life, she became the shepherd not just as principal but in humanitarian action.

“We are called to defend the vulnerable and to stand firm for the good of others. Each and every one of us is called to live a courageous life, to stand for others. She started her day as a principal and ended it as a heroine.”

The Catholic Mission unveiled a plaque to immortalise her selfless efforts and others in the propagation of learning and service to humanity. The three-day event included a memorial lecture, unveiling of memorial stone and musical concert/awards.