St. Bakhita International Novitiate For Africa, Ogungabade Ibadan

In 2015 an international novitiate for Africa was biult in Sangotedo Ajah, Lagos.  The aim is to bring all the novices of Africa together in one formation house. Consequently the novitiate house in Ibadan was closed and Ibadan community ceased to be the novitiate house. The novices then moved to Sangotedo -Ajah, Lagos. Currently the novitiate consists of Nigerian and Ugandan Novices.  Other African entities are expected to join as well.  

On the 30th March, 2015, the new formation team of three sisters (Sr. M: Margaret Hussain, Sr. M. Francisca Onyebuchi and Sr. M. Anthonia Nwabueze) and four postulants (Rita Nwafor, Mary EzeIfeoma, Grace Obayi and Henrieta Okafor) arrived Sangotedo. 

The Novitiate house was officially erected on the 19th of May 2015 with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Msgr. Francis Ogunmodede, the dean of Lekki Deanery. The decree of erection of the Novitiate House was also read by the Prioress General, Sr. M. Elvira Bonacorsi, OP. 

Later in the year, two postulants: Elizabeth Gbenoba (Nigerian) and Veronica Babirye (Ugandan), and one professed sister - Sr.Teopista Akugizibwe (Ugandan) joined the community. 
Presently the community comprises of four professed sisters (Sr.Alessia Spinelli, OP ( Prioress), Sr. Teopista Akugizibwe OP, Sr. Francisca Onyebuchi OP,  and Sr. Anthonia Nwabueze OP, and ten novices (Florence Namanda, Josephine Babirye, Joy Thungu, Beatrice Ntegeka, Paka Akello, Susan Acio, Jacinta Dilibe, Anthonia Adoghe, Chioma Ezumezu and Cynthia Agbor).

APOSTOLATE:
The community renders pastoral assistance to the parish: distribution of Holy Communion, membership in the parish pastoral council, coordination of pastoral and catechetical activities, coordination of missionary Childhood Association (MCA) Epe Deanery and preparation of the Altar and the Sanctuary. The sisters also participate in the life of the Small Christian Communities within the Parish through Sharing of Word of God. Sometimes, together with these communities the sisters visit the sick, the poor and families. 

On 1st August 2018 the workshop for Liturgical arts, where Chasubles, Albs, Altar linens, Surplices, etc are made, was officially blessed by the Parish Priest and Dean of Epe Deanery Fr.Ethelbert Ukpabi. 

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