Gusau, Nigeria: Sisters called and missioned for the difficult terrain of Sokoto diocese
Sr. Justina I. Nnajiofor, O.P., Prioress General of the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Gusau, Nigeria shares with us the story of the congregation, its work as well as current challenges Sisters are facing in the region.
The story of the founding of the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Gusau, Nigeria as an indigenous Congregation in Northern Nigeria goes back to 1956. With the invitation of the Dominican Fathers in Nigeria, the Dominican Sisters of Great Bend, Kansas, United States of America, came to Gusau to be Christian Presence in the Muslim-dominated North West of Nigeria. They embarked on work of evangelization and social work in the then Sokoto Prefecture, now the Diocese of Sokoto.
In 1973, the Dominican Sisters of Great Bend, Kansas began the formation of indigenous women as sisters who will later take over their work in the area. In 1997, this goal of establishing an indigenous Dominican Congregation was realized; and the First General Chapter was held. This first General chapter inaugurated the Nigerian leadership and made them an autonomous entity.
Initially, the work of the Dominican Sisters constituted of health, catechesis and women development. The focus was the rural poor, especially women, children and youths covering such areas as Gusau, Funtua, Malumfashi, Katsina, Yelwa-Yauri and Zuru in the early 60s, 70s and 80s. As the years went by, we increased in number and have spread to cities and other towns within and outside Nigeria.
Presently, we have expanded beyond the Diocese of Sokoto where we were originally founded to places like the Archdiocese of Jos, dioceses of Kontagora, Makurdi, Enugu and Issele –Uku. Others include the Archdiocese of Abuja –FCT. Dioceses of Awka, Gboko and Lokoja. Furthermore, we have Communities in the Northern States of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina and Kaduna. We are also on mission to Ghana, United States of America (USA) and previously in Grenada.
The most prominent aspect of our ministry is in Primary Evangelization, establishment, management of health facilities and educational and social welfare institutions.
Unfortunately, we are faced with numerous challenges: the economic situation in Nigeria has made it difficult for our sisters to carry out their ministries.
Moreover, the work of our Congregation has been under severe threat from the resurgence of Islamic fundamentalism (BOKO HARAM) in the North-Western states. We witness the presence of banditry, rape, maim, kidnap and extortion of money from their victims or even killing them after collecting money from their families.
Due to the present high rate of banditry and frequent kidnapping of the people in the Northwest especially in Malumfashi and Gusau areas where we work, many people are relocating but many are still there waxing strong in faith ; and when asked, they simply reply that the presence of the sisters inspire them to remain and keep striving.
In spite of the overwhelming frustrations and the present threats, we have not and are not going to abandon our apostolates. We were called and missioned for the difficult terrain of Sokoto diocese. We strongly believe that God is with us and will never abandon us even for a moment.
