Nigeria, Africa
ALL-AFRICA CONFERENCE: SISTER TO SISTER NIGERIA
Sister Lucy Esedebe, OLA, Chair AAC:SS-Nigeria
All-Africa Conference: Sister to Sister Nigeria played host to Sisters in West Africa in Enugu, Nigeria in 2004. The event featured eminent scholars from Ghana, Ireland, and Nigeria, anchored by Sisters in Medicare, a baby of the Nigeria Conference of Women Religious (NCWR). Following the events, participants of the various countries committed to implement activities based on the fruits of the conference.
In 2013, AAC:SS was re-inaugurated in Benin-City, Edo State of Nigeria with the election of Sisters to coordinate the activities of AAC:SS in Nigeria. Twenty-nine Sisters from nine congregations were present at the Benin meeting. The elected Sisters were to serve a six-year term as agreed by all to enable AAC:SS to take-root, followed by the commencement of the four-year term of office. The elected officers participated in the training of trainers workshop along with other sisters who attended the inaugural meeting to equip them for their leadership roles.
Since then AAC:SS Nigeria has had a conference and a leadership training on the theme “Giving voice to young professed Sisters” in each Ecclesiastical Province of Nigeria. July 2017, AAC:SS Nigeria hosted conferences in Kaduna and Calabar Ecclesiastical Provinces. November 2017, AAC:SS Nigeria will host a leadership training for Sisters who are in temporary vows, and young Sisters before their silver jubilee in Owerri Ecclesiastical Province.
These meetings and workshops have helped to foster unity among Sisters and also empower sisters to speak out when and where necessary. Sisters have been able to share experiences of work, shared life, etc.
The Chair of AAC:SS-Nigeria presents a report annually to the major superiors at the Major Superiors meeting. The presentations serve as an avenue to inform and solicit support for AAC:SS activities from the major superiors. The AAC:SS is gradually gaining grounds in Nigeria, and so far over 300 Sisters have been reached. The Sisters return to the area conferences to implement activities based on their experiences. Nigeria is so large that the number may seem a drop in the bucket, but it is yielding fruits.
Workshop for temporary professed Sisters Lagos and Ibadan Provinces
NOVEMBER 20-24, 2015 AAC:SS Conference Participants at Christ the King procession Sr. Anne Okosi, DHL, Core Group Secretary working many hours to complete the report
Sisters at AAC:SS Session in Benin, Nigeria
Sisters at workshop on Negotiation and Non-Violence Dialogue
November 22-24, 2014 Ibadan, Nigeria Celebrating Christ's light in the midst of HIV/AIDS darkness
Experience of AAC:SS Programme in Nigeria
By Sr. Evelyn Yande OSF I first attended the All-Africa Conference: Sister to Sister programme in Benin City, Edo state in November 2016. I must say I appreciated the concept and I so much admired the generosity of the Religious Sisters of Mercy and Partners towards...