PAPA AND MAMA A. I. Oghena have departed Ss Peter & Paul, Lagere, Ife, Osun State for homestate Edo after 50 years of service to the church and God.

Having spent the greater part of their lives in Ife, Papa and Mama are considered as son and daughter of the soil. Home they have to return to and on Sunday 12 November the  church thanked God for his mercy over them.

 The parish council chairman, Professor Bola Eleruja, on behalf of the priests, religious and parishioners thanked the Oghenas for their unquantifiable contributions. The Catholic Women Organisation also presented a gift to Pa and Chief (Mrs) Oghena.

Mamma Oghena, on behalf of her family thanked the Priest, religious and the entire parishioners for their support and cooperation.

Pa Oghena was the architect of some formations in the parish. He contributed toward the creation of St Mulumba Catholic College, Lagere-Ife and its surroundings. He also designed the plan of CWO Vocational Centre aside serving as the parish financial committee chairman.

Mrs Oghena was a dynamic and energetic CWO president,   according to Mrs Omodunbi, who spoke on behalf of the parish women. Mama unified women of the first and second Mass of the parish, she said. The vocational centre was constructed during her time as president and St Monica daycare also became a reality. She had worked hard towards ensuring financial independence of women so as to be supportive to their husbands and children by ensuring their participation in various vocational courses and workshops at all levels, said Mrs Omodunbi.

Rev. Fr Lawrence Adebisi later prayed for Papa and Mama and wished them journey mercies.

-SAM UGWO