Today, March 15 2020, marks the third year, when an explosion and fire rocked the Abule- Ado area around Festac Town in Amuwo Odofin Local Council of Lagos State.
It was a day Abule-Ado community, in Festac Phase II of Lagos State, the Congregation of Sisters of the Sacred Heart (SSH) of Jesus, Bethlehem Girls College and Lagosians will not forget in a hurry.
The deadly explosion occurred during the Sunday morning Eucharistic Celebration at the School Chapel of Bethlehem Girls College Abule-Ado, owned by Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos and managed by SSH.
The explosion and fire started at about 9:00a.m. that morning until it was put out at about 11:00p.m., leaving on its trail sorrow and tears.
Among the casualties were Rev. Sr. Dr. Henrietta Alokha, and a female security staff and others in the locality.
While the death of the victims was pitiable, that of Rev. Sr. Alokha, the then principal of Bethlehem Girls College Abule-Ado, was heroic, as she died saving pupils who were trapped.
Although she succeeded in rescuing all of them, she paid the supreme price.
In recognition of such heroism, Rotary Club of Lagos, in collaboration with Rotary District 9110, Nigeria, presented Rev. Sr. Alokha with a posthumous award to immortalise the late principal.
The occasion, which coincided with the World Peace and Understanding Day, took place at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was attended by dignitaries from the diplomatic community, Rotary District 9110, Nigeria, past District Governors, President and members of Rotary Club of Lagos.
The District Governor, Omotunde Lawson, noted that as part of Rotary’s commitment to peace, Rotary International has set up centres for International Studies in Peace and conflict Resolution in eight Universities around the World.
While presenting the award to a representative of the family, Anselm Alokha, a lawyer, the District Governor said as a woman, she was pained by Rev. Sr. Henrietta’s death, but admired the love and gallantry she displayed on that fateful day.
She admonished those in positions of authority to be passionate and dedicated to duty at all times. That is the Rotary spirit.
She recalled that while her citation was being read, one could notice that she lived a selfless life.
“Giving without expecting rewards. When you begin to give without expecting rewards you have taken the first step to immortality. You can see she is now immortal even though in physical death she is still being remembered. It is something to be emulated by all of us,” she added.
Also, Past President of Rotary Club of Lagos, Dare Adeyeri, said the award was meant to recognise individuals or organisations, who have worked towards peace building.
“The selection process is very transparent. There is a nomination committee made up of people of integrity and experience that receive nominations for those qualified. In this particular case, Rev Sister Alokha, came tops for the award from a long list of nominees. That was why she got the award.”
He stressed that Rotary worldwide marks World Peace and Understanding Day, in commemoration of the first meeting of Rotary that was held in Chicago, United States, in1905 by Paul Harris, the founder, and three of his friends.
Since the incident, different individuals, groups and organisations have poured encomiums on the late Sr. Alokha.
