By Dayo Adesulu
The school Administrator, Holy Child College, Ikoyi, Rev. Sr. Sophia Onuoha has said that only the combine efforts of the government, mission and private ownership of schools can lead to healthy competition which will eventually bring out the best in our students adding that the country has developed beyond the level of handing over the entire school system to mission.

Speaking at the 65th graduating set recently, she pointed out that since 2001 when the Holy Child College was restored to mission by the Lagos State government, it has witnessed a sporadic improvement in the education system and the academic performance of students has been excellent.

Recounting the academic performance of the students, Onuoha reiterated that, Miss Lisa Ezegbu who came third overall best student in the 2008/2009 WASC result nationwide was from the school adding that she made 8A’s and 2B’s and also had an outstanding performance in the post U.M.E. taken in Nnamdi Azikiwe University which fetched her admission to read Medicine with scholarship attached to it.

“ As a result of her performance, Nnamdi Azikiwe University has become a catchment institution (reserve slot) for Holy Child College students,” she said.

Lisa was not the only person in the school’s outstanding performance record, Onuoha also made allusion to Miss Theresa Oge Belonwu who was an ex Head Girl of the college and presently a law student of the University of Birmingham, West Midlands U.K, making her impact as she is presently working part time as a food and nutritionist advisor and a house warden.

She said: “It is not surprising therefore that the old girls of this great school make great impact wherever they find themselves. This college has produced great women like Mrs. Francisca, Y. Emanuel, the first female permanent secretary in Nigeria, Princess Odedina, the first female Bank Manager in Nigeria, Mrs Ibidun Allison alias Amebo and a host of others. Among them also is Mrs. Joke Silva Jacobs, a renewed actress whose first experience in acting was on the stage of Holy Child College hall.”

Speaking to the graduating students, the Administrator counseled them to hold on to their mates because these are friends for life stressing that they are friends they made in their natural setting and simplicity.

According to her, friends you made as you struggle to identify who you are and who you want to become are important in life as you know one another at this level, when you have not started putting on airs or pretending to be who you are not.

She enjoined them to exchange addresses, phone numbers, e-mails etc with one another pointing out that keeping in touch, pray for and encourage one another are important for their futures.

Her words: “Remember those who accompanied you in your life journey especially at the difficult period of your life – adolescent period. You may not appreciate them now but God has used us to touch your lives for the better. Pray for us and pray for Holy Child College, your alma mater.

Go into the world with confidence. We have given you what you need to meet the challenges of life and to make a difference in the world. Always remember the motto of the college Actions not words.”