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Today, the 18th day of October 2024, history was made at the RECOWA-CERAO sub-headquarters in Abidjan, the capital of Cote D’Ivoire. The weeklong event which started last Friday, the 11th day of October 2024, featured the official handover ceremony of the popular St. Theresa of Avila Nursery and Primary School to Sr. Jeanine TRAORE. The school which was headed by Sr. Francine DIASANA since 2017 saw the change of leadership that day. The official handover was carried out last Friday in the presence of the Director of the CCPM, Fr. Celestine SAGNA and the CERAO Community superior of the two sisters in question, Sr. Eugenie DENA. Other persons present at the handover ceremony were the Deputy Director of CCPM, the administrative officer of CCPM, the president of the Parents/teachers Association of St. Theresa of Avila Nursery and Primary School, certain members of the school board and the selected teachers including the accountant of the school.

Responding after the handover, the Director of CCPM thanked the outgoing headmistress, Sr. Francine DIASASANA for the work accomplished within the past seven years. He charged the incoming headmistress, Sr. Jeanine TRAORE to study strictly the efforts of the previous headmistresses since the inception of the school in 2007 and find ways and means of improving on the work they have collectively accomplished. He reiterated that he will not ask her to follow their footstep but rather examine their footsteps and bring in an innovation that will keep the school ever on the frontline. At this point, the outgoing headmistress thanked everyone for the assistance given to her and asked for pardon for those she offended along the way. As a follow-up, the incoming headmistress promised the assembly that she would do her very best to keep the light of the school ever shining since she is not a novice in the area of education. The gathering ended with a group photograph featuring all the persons present at this handover ceremony.

The concluding part of the weeklong ceremony took place this Friday. The occasion started with a concelebrated high mass presided over by the Director of CCPM, Fr. Celestine SAGNA flanked by the Director of Communications for RECOWA-CERAO, Fr. George NWACHUKWU and the Executive Secretary of Education of Abidjan diocese, Fr. Francis Xavier Mando. The mass was attended by the teachers at the St. Theresa of Avila Model School and the parents of the Pupils. Others were the directors of education at various levels in Abidjan, the personal friends of Sr. Francine, and the entire Sisters of the Daughters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters here at the CCPM.

In his homily during the mass marking the feast of St. Luke, the celebrant reminded everyone at the mass, the need for hard work. He invited the pupils to work hard for good grades so that the rest at their holidays will be a befitting one.

Speaking at the end of the Mass, the outgoing headmistress repeatedly emphasized the call for forgiveness on her part, since according to her, she is realizing that many were offended by her attitude. On a different note, the Education Secretary on his part, extolled the good qualities of Sr. Francine as he looks forward to working with the new headmistress whom he knew from their time in the Catholic University of Abidjan. The Directors of Education in Abidjan also praised Sr. Francine for her humility while the teachers at the St. Theresa of Avila School unanimously underlined her spirit of Collaboration.  The ceremony ended with gifts from various people and groups including the Rector of CCPM and his collaborators. At the end of the occasion, there were lots to eat and drink as the final prayer concluded the event.

Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu
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