The genesis of the Salesian presence in Nigeria can be traced back to the confrere Fr Jacques Ntamitalizo from Central Africa. At the General Chapter of 1978, Fr Jacques Ntamitalizo made a powerful intervention pleading with the Congregation to launch a missionary prospect in the African continent. The then Rector Major, Fr Egidio Vigano (newly elected), supported this call for a strong African project, which would become the official Missio Ad Gentes of the Salesian Society to Africa. This singular decision became for the congregation an imminent concern and prompted a response from the seventy-two provinces of the Salesian world. This was a great challenge for many of the provinces who previously had little or no contact with the African continent. However, by the faith of courageous men – men who responded to the will of God and in that will emptied themselves of whatever comfort they enjoyed – it was possible to bring Don Bosco spirituality and sweetness to many parts of this great continent, Africa. Nigeria became a beneficiary of this sweetness when Fr Gabriel Wade, Fr Italo Spagnolo and Bro John Patrucco entrusted themselves to divine providence by volunteering to pioneer the mission to Nigeria. According to Fr Italo Spagnolo, the launch of “Project Africa” had plunged the provinces into immediate action to respond to this call. The Headquarters (The General House in Rome) had to put provinces volunteering for Project Africa in contact with bishops who wanted to have a Salesian presence in their dioceses.

The mission department of the congregation welcomed the proposal. It gave some general guidelines for the preparation and eventually invited the provincial to contact Bishop Francis Folorunsho Alonge, the then Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo in Western Nigeria, and to make direct arrangements with him. In addition, the Headquarters told the provincial to contact a confrere from Argentina, Fr Marco Gabriel Wade (popularly known as Fr Wade), aged 56 years, who had been assigned to the team for Nigeria. He would be the first Salesian confrere to touch down in Nigeria and reside in the country. The fact that he had an appreciable knowledge of the English language would prove very helpful to the team. The new Provincial, Fr Piero Scalabrino, sent the two confreres to Ireland for an English course. He visited Ondo State himself in June 1981, together with Fr Antonio Marrone, the outgoing Provincial of the Subalpina Province of Turin. They accepted the bishop’s proposal to open two Salesian presences in the same diocese, namely, in Akure and Ondo towns. In the middle of November of the same year, Bishop Alonge had occasion to be in Rome and used the opportunity to visit the provincial. He made clear his concern for the education of the young in practical trades, especially in the agricultural sector.

In February 1982 the Bishop welcomed Fr Wade to Nigeria, while Fr Italo Spagnolo and Bro Giovanni Patrucco were still improving their knowledge of the English Language.

The Bishop immediately gave Fr. Wade an opportunity to follow a Yoruba course for a few months at Ikere with Fr Bob Hales, SMA. At the end of the course the Bishop invited Fr. Wade to commence pastoral work with Fr Michael Adedeji at the Cathedral in Akure. The reports that Fr. Wade was systematically sending to the province gave the province assurance about the mission and it created a climate of enthusiasm.

On 20th February 1983, the bishop celebrated with Fr Wade, the first mass in St. John Bosco Primary school at Oke Odunwo. From then on Fr. Wade did so every Sunday. Meanwhile, every afternoon Bro. Giovanni (popularly known to this day as Bro John) used to come to the Salesian oratory equipped with balls, guitar, love and kindness. Children were attracted and adults were amazed by his simplicity, openness and availability. Mr. Matthew Ikunyinminu was the first, best and always faithful support of the growing little community. Unfortunately, that same year Ondo town was inflicted by political unrest and consequently experienced a series of killings and burning of houses and government properties. However, by the grace of God, expatriates and missionaries were spared.

The First Workshop

While pastoral activities were carried out in St Patrick’s and work on the buildings was progressing as expected at Oke Odunwo, some Salesian brothers in Italy worked out a plan for vocational courses in meta-mechanical trades. They also searched for the necessary equipment and prepared some volunteers to assist in starting the project. In June 1985, Bro. John went to Italy to make final arrangements for the shipment of the equipment. The whole consignment of equipment, tools and materials were cleared and delivered to Ondo with the help of an Italian friend, Mr. Emilio Pedrocchi.

First Mass

In order to move towards creating a Catholic community in the area, Bishop Alonge agreed to celebrate the Eucharist for the first time in a building that still had no roof on Saturday 27 May, 1985. However, the pioneering and friendly attitude of the Salesians soon encouraged an increase in the number of the Catholics in the area.