Nollywood Actor, Bob- Manuel Udokwu thrills Loretto Old Girls Association

…. as Dr Ajator educates on cancer

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

Governor Willie Obiano’s Senior Special Assistant on Movie/Entertainment Industry, SSA, Hon Bob-Manuel Obidimma Udokwu at the weekend thrilled the fancies of the Old Girls Association of Loretto Special Science School, Adazi- Nnukwu, (LSSSAOGA), Anambra state chapter with his story.

The Ogidi born Nigerian actor, director, and producer turned politician did not only marvel her host, the old girls association with his rise to stardom lecture but their guests and children.

Udokwu spoke in an interactive session he had with LSSSAOGA shortly after it’s end-of-the Year Thanksgiving/Get Together in appreciation to the Almighty God for preserving them all through turbulent year 2020 at St Thamos Aquinas Catholic Church, GRA Awka (behind Government House) at Geogold Hotel, Awka.

Members of LSSSAOGA Anambra state chapter led by Dr Jane Ezeonu, President LSSSAOGA, came with their spouses and children.

Udokwu, an Ace thespian and Television host at the occasion took the participants down memory lane of his road to stardom, using the opportunity to admonish parents to stop influencing the career paths of their wards.

He reckoned that most times children know their talents, but the parents block their vision out of preference for high sounding professions, warning that posterity will judge or blame parents who fail to avail their children opportunity to decide or utilize their careers and talents, as according to him talents open doors better than profession.

While he re- echoed that a man’s gift maketh a way for him, he said that the contemporary world is no more about certificate but skills and talents one can offer the society.

In a lecture on cancer, the President, Female Doctors Association of Nigeria, Anambra state chapter, Dr Chioma Ajator explained some of the programs the association embarks on to alleviate health and poverty in the society including breast cancer tests for early detection and its actual treatment as well as succour to widows.

Dr Ajator said the female doctors maynot support the entire treatment of cancer patients but according to her, they can support for the treatment of chemotherapy which costs in the region of N40, 000 for each session.

She noted that if an endorsement letter came from her to the national level, the body can donate the sum of N100, 000 for cancer treatment.

She reminded the participants that the her Association has a program designed for cervical cancer patients, adding that both breast cancer and cervical cancer, early detection is key.

She said that the body has partnered with five laboratories in Anambra state with three presently in Awka and two at Nnewi. She assured that the body is still working to gain partnership with laboratories in Ekwulobia and Onitsha for easy tests, detection and treatment of cancer patients.

She said that through the partnership, some of their treatments have been subsidized to be affordable to the people.

She said that the female doctors Association has a programme of menstrual hygiene and also one that encourages excellent medication.

She also said that the female doctors Association has a program that rewards best graduating female students in universities, hence they can because of the President ,Dr Ezeonu enter into partnership with Lorotto school that moulded her to become what she is by rewarding the best graduating students of Loretto special science school, Adazi- Nnukwu.

She said that the body has a programme tagged widows outreach in 2020 where the body will reach out and empower over 100 widows in the state adding that the Association of women medical doctors is an outreach oriented body hence they hardly go on strike due to their desire to help humanity.

Speaking in an Interview with newsmen, the President LSSSAOGA Anambra state chapter, Dr Jane Nkolika Ezeonu said that the event was organized to appreciate God for preserving the Old girls through the turbulent years. She said that God was faithful in answering the prayers of the Association and in preserving all the members throughout the period of COVID -19 outbreak and seemingly other challenges that came with the year 2020.

Dr Ezeonu who is with the Community Medicine Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and Anambra state Vice Chairman, Medical Association of Nigeria, NMA, noted that the Association used the same opportunity to reunite again and see each other after a long time, adding that the gathering of old girls is very important as it will avail members the opportunity to interact and seek areas to help each other.

Dr. Ezeonu said that the association has series of projects lined up for next year which according to her, will incorporate the welfare of widows, orphans and the downtrodden in the society. She reiterated that the Association has a cause to help humanity.

She also stated that the old girls association has a ‘think home’ agenda geared towards giving back to the alma mater that made them who they are in the society today.

She noted that the strength of the Association lies in unity and which according to her, has been the motivation factor in the association even as she maintained that the members are fully committed to the visions and missions of the Association.

Also Speaking, the National Vice President, Loretto Special Science School, Adazi – Nnukwu Old Girls Association, Dr. Ada Okeke described the thanksgiving as first of its kind.

She said that the Association deemed it good to thank God for surviving the difficulties of the year. “We have to thank God for being among the survivors of the year and for his benevolence and love for us.”

She said that God has been the strength of the association adding that Loretto Special Science School has always been known for the things of God.

Earlier in his homily at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, GRA Awka, Fr Michael Obi, the Assistant Manager of Loretto Special Science School, Adazi -Nnukwu urged Christians to celebrate the nativity of Christ. He said that it’s only Christians that value the gifts God has given them in celebrating Christmas.

While saying that Christmas is all about celebrating the enactment of nativity of the lord, he urged Christians to keep thanking the lord everyday adding that people grumble and complain because they are still alive.

While he said that 2020 has been a nightmare of a year where Christians were subjected to hardship and suffering, he decried that most Christians who have received holy communion long ago have drifted away from Gods presence urging them to not allow the corruption of sin to take them away from the place God has prepared for his children .

Speaking at the occasion, a member of Board of Trustees and Chairman of the occasion, Dr Chioma Awuzie Odidika announced her intentions to assist members of the union who are widows financially with specific sums to give them a sense of belonging during this period.

Dr. Chioma Odidika extolled the executives of LSSSAOGA Anambra state chapter led by Dr. Ezeonu for organizing such programme that brought the old girls together to see each other after years.

The get – together at the GEOGOLD hotels Awka had dignitaries including Imo state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Emeka Ezeonu, Manager of Loretto Special Science School ,Adazi- Nnukwu, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Azodo and his assistant, Fr Michael Obi.

Also present at the event were former Manager of LSSSA, Rev Fr Francis Udeh, President of Rotary club of Awka GRA, Rotarian Somadina Okweluogu among others.