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ANN Province Formation Commission Concludes Strategic Mid-Year Online Evaluation

ONLINE — The Formation Commission of the Salesians of Don Bosco, ANN Province, successfully conducted its evaluation of the 3 Aspirantates, prenovitiate, novitiate, postnovitiate, and theology house from March 2–3, 2026. Held via an online platform, the two-day intensive session brought together formation delegates and directors to review the progress of Salesian candidates and strategise for the future of formation in the province.

Day 1: Reviewing the Journey of Formation
The meeting commenced on Monday, March 2, with opening prayers and a warm welcome to the members of the Province Formation Commission (PFC). The morning session focused on administrative continuity, beginning with the review of the minutes from the last physical meeting held in November 2025.

A significant portion of the day was dedicated to a comprehensive mid-year evaluation. Directors from the various stages of formation—ranging from the pre-novitiate to post-novitiate levels—presented brief evaluations detailing the growth, progress, and specific challenges encountered within their respective houses.

A key highlight was the presentation by Fr Damian Akintemi, the Novice Master, who addressed the complexities of quarterly and community experience assessments. His session opened a dialogue on navigating the difficulties of evaluating confreres in formation to ensure a balanced approach to their vocational growth. The day concluded with an update on the ongoing Formation Plan Review, ensuring the province remains aligned with global Salesian standards.

Day 2: Looking Toward the Future and GC29
On Tuesday, March 3, the Commission shifted its focus toward implementation and future collaborations. Central to the discussion was the General Chapter 29 (GC29) document. Members deliberated on practical suggestions for implementing the GC29 directives on formation within the specific context of the ANN Province.

In a move toward inclusivity and shared mission, the Commission explored:

Proposals for the ongoing formation of formation house teams and guides.

Strategies for joint formation initiatives involving Salesian lay collaborators.

“Formation in Mission”, a session led by Fr Stephen Omoniyi, the Mission Delegate, which emphasised the inseparable link between Salesian identity and missionary zeal.

Upcoming Extraordinary Visit
During the open forum, the Commission discussed the highly anticipated visit of the General Councillor for Formation to selected formation houses in the ANN Province, scheduled for May 2026. Members noted that this visit would serve as a vital moment of communion with the whole congregation and an opportunity to showcase the province’s commitment to nurturing authentic Salesian vocations.

The meeting ended with a spirit of optimism and a renewed commitment to the accompaniment of young confreres. After a session of general comments and concluding remarks, the meeting was brought to a formal close with prayers, setting a clear roadmap for the remainder of the formation year.

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IJEBU-ODE COMMUNITY: The Great Uplifting

With gratitude to God, the Ijebu-Ode Community continues to witness remarkable growth and development in many aspects of its life and mission. Truly, the theme “The Great Uplifting” reflects the steady progress recorded in beekeeping, agriculture, fish farming and production, construction, and community life.

The apiary project has been successfully established, with nine beehive boxes already installed. Although the hives are yet to be occupied by bee colonies, the community remains hopeful and prayerful that nature will soon favour the project with thriving colonies.

In the area of agriculture, the community vegetable garden has been established with various crops, including ugu, okro, green vegetables, and pawpaw, currently at the nursery stage. The community is optimistic that this initiative will soon contribute meaningfully to both nutrition and sustainability.

The fish farm and feed mill are also making encouraging progress. We have already begun smoking and selling fish from the investment, which was initiated at the inception of this administration. This marks a positive step toward self-sufficiency and economic empowerment within the community.

In the area of education and youth development, the St. Joseph’s School playground facilities and installations have been completed. This project was generously sponsored by the Salesian Voluntary Missionary Service, Krakow, Poland, and will be commissioned on Monday, 9th March by the Diocesan Director of Education. The playground will serve as an important recreational and developmental space for the school’s pupils.

The Mary Help of Christians Parish Grotto project is also progressing steadily and continues to receive remarkable support from parishioners and friends, reflecting the community’s deep Marian devotion.

Furthermore, an important milestone will be reached as the foundation of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church will be laid on Monday, 9th March by the Dean of Iloti Deanery. The project is proudly sponsored by the PDO, while the foundation excavation work has already been completed, paving the way for the next phase of construction.

Indeed, these achievements testify to the spirit of cooperation, faith, and commitment within the community. As the journey continues, the Ijebu-Ode Community remains grateful to God and hopeful for even greater accomplishments ahead.

Fr Peace Ike – Ijebu-Ode.