By Grace Ongey
Cardinal Tumi and pioneer batch infront of college chapel
Douala Emeritus Archbishop His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi has told Lourdes present and former students that successive brilliant academic performances in public exams mean nothing if they are devoid of the fear of God.
Christian Cardinal Tumi was speaking at Our Lady of Lourdes College Mankon Bamenda during celebrations marking the college’s Golden Jubilee as he delivered an academic discourse on the theme: “Being a Christian Young Girl and Woman in the 21st century: Sustaining the Vision of the Founders of Our Lady of Lourdes College.” He therefore stressed the need for moral values rooted in the love of God as a pillar in the life of every human person.He regretted Christian young girls and women are living in a morally bankrupt society where those who uphold the virtues of truth and honesty are considered foolish. He said education in Lourdes College has grown by leaps and bounds, but said it will be meaningless if it is not accompanied by God-fearing people. He explained that the college’s success is not measured only in academic terms, but also by its training of responsible young girls who uphold the ideals of the founding Fathers.
He said the college was established in 1963 after Rev. Fr. Nabben, who had visited Lourdes in France, realised his dream soon after he returned to Cameroon. The college, he said, came at a time when most young girls were forced into early marriages and when it was thought that educating the girl child was useless.
He, however, regretted that the rate of single motherhood in our society, even among the most educated women, is increasing at an alarming rate and some mothers even force their daughters into prostitution. He said prostitution in universities where young girls from poor homes are prepared to trade their bodies to obtain a university degree is taking the lead. He was, however, happy that some young girls are ready to die to keep their moral and Christian values.
Cardinal Tumi said sustaining the founders’ vision means rediscovering the college’s motto “To serve with love.” He therefore enjoined all to pray for those who hate others for they do not know what they are doing. He explained that true love means being at the service of those in need. He implored those in leadership positions to serve and not dominate.
He urged present and former students or LESANS, to be witnesses to the gospel wherever they are. Cardinal Tumi said he will be surprised if Lourdes does not produce a saint one day. Cardinal Tumi’s discourse preceded a march past of all batches from the City Chemist Roundabout to the college.
The jubilee opened on January 3, 2013, with Holy Mass at St. Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Mankon, Bamenda with the Catholic Education Secretary, Rev. Fr. Christian Mofor, as main celebrant. The Golden Jubilee Principal, Sr. Ndidi Anozie, welcomed all to the jubilee.
Drawing inspiration from the day’s readings, Fr. Mofor said they provide a mirror through which the students and ex-students can see themselves as they are a people set apart. He urged LESANS to stay rooted in Jesus as without Him they can do nothing.
He explained that at 50 the college has done all that God wants of her to the best of her ability. He hailed LESANS for all they have done saying it confirms that a tree is judged by its fruits. He advised present and former students to transform the society.
A special offertory to support the Bishop’s Education Fund was one of the activities that graced the Eucharistic celebration. At the end of Mass, the steering committee chairperson Prof. Theresia Akenji thanked the chief celebrant and concelebrating priests for starting the jubilee activities.
Past and present students later moved to the school campus for the blessing of the New College gate. The pioneer batch processed into the college campus flanked by present and past students on both sides, and lit the Jubilee Torch which was then installed at the campus grotto. At the college campus a special tribute was paid to the pioneer batch and a minute of silence in honour of students of the pioneer batch who have died.
The jubilee d-day was on January 5 and it started with a Mass with the Archbishop of Bamenda, His Grace Cornelius Fontem Esua, as the main celebrant and His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi, as the concelebrant. The Bishop of Mamfe, Francis T. Lysinge, the Bishop of Kumbo, George Nkuo, the Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda Archdicoese, Agapitus Nfon, the Catholic Education Secretary, Fr. Christian Mofor and several priests from Bamenda Archdiocese and beyond were also present.
Archbishop Esua said the presence of students at the jubilee was an expression of their gratitude to God and to Our Lady of Lourdes College for making them what they are. He said the college was created to give the girl child an equal opportunity, a holistic education, and to make women responsible citizens at a time when everyone thought the place of the girl child was in the kitchen and the farm. He said the College has produced women who have distinguished themselves in all walks of life.
He lauded Mill Hill missionaries and their collaborators for bringing Catholic Education to Bamenda Archdiocese and also thanked the Congregation of Holy Rosary Sisters for accepting to run the institution since is was created. He hailed Catholic Education describing it as centred on God and the celebration of the Sacraments especially the Eucharist.
He advised LESANS to allow their Christian faith permeate every aspect of their life and called on them to do selfless and dedicated service especially in Cameroon where even those who are paid for services do not do it unless they are given a bribe. He regretted we are living in a society where God has been relegated to the background and enjoined all to put their spiritual values first.
He proposed moral rectitude, transparency and accountability as the guiding principles to a just society. He lauded LESANS whose association is one of the best in Bamenda Archdiocese. He told present and former students that a jubilee is a time to settle disputes and reconcile with one another. He thanked parents and guardians for giving their children quality moral education. He also thanked teachers for their commitment in spite of the college’s growing financial challenges.
Governor Lele L’Afrique planted the Jubilee Tree, while His Lordship Agapitus Nfon blessed the Golden Jubilee Staff quarters. Also present at the event were the Fon of Mankon, Angwafor III, the Chairman of the Social Democratic Front, Ni John Fru Ndi, and other administrative and political leaders.
Sports competitions, free medical screening and consultations, cultural jamborees, traditional dances, fashion parades, songs and poems, gala and raffle draw competitions, also graced the event.
Our Lady of Lourdes College started with six classrooms, three dormitories and 35 young girls who entered the campus on October 15, 1963. The college now has an enrolment of about 765 boarders, 48 teachers and 20 auxiliary staff. It offers General Education at the Ordinary and Advanced Levels with a few managerial sciences. The Golden Jubilee was celebrated under the theme: Lourdes College at 50; Celebrating Milestones In Holistic Education. The four-day celebration ended on January 6 with a closing Mass at the College Chapel.