Iju, Lagos – August 15, 2025.
History was made within the Salesian Congregation in Nigeria as Fr. Peter Chiweike Morba was formally installed as the first indigenous Provincial of the Africa Nigeria – Niger (ANN) Province, marking a milestone in the over 40-year presence of the Salesians in the country.
The installation ceremony took place at the Mary Help of Christians Chapel of the Provincial House in Iju, Lagos. It was presided over by the Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Bishop of Kontagora Diocese. The liturgical celebration drew clergy, religious, and lay faithful from across Nigeria.
Delivering the homily, Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Regional Councillor for Central and West Africa, reflected on the spiritual weight of the appointment. “When God says ‘I am with you,’ it means He is with us in good times and in bad,” he said. He described the beginning of Fr. Morba’s provincial service as a “new birth,” emphasising that such moments inevitably attract challenges, distractions, and trials. He reminded Salesians that authentic religious life is not about “success, power, or what creates the wow syndrome” but about fidelity, humility, and service.
Drawing inspiration from the Virgin Mary, Fr. Owoudou invited the faithful to emulate her readiness to respond to human needs – whether in her visit to Elizabeth, at the wedding at Cana, or at the foot of the Cross. “Who is your Elizabeth today?” he asked, urging the congregation to recognise and serve those most in need.
In his words of gratitude, Fr. Morba thanked the Rector Major and his council for entrusting him with the leadership of the young province. He encouraged his confreres to embrace transparency, a commitment to the evangelical counsels, and unity that transcends cultural and personal differences. “For us to be successful, we must work together irrespective of our backgrounds,” he stressed.
Bishop Yohanna, in a brief address, congratulated the new provincial and offered him pastoral counsel on leadership. “Leadership is service, accountability, and good example,” he said. “If you want to be happy, make other people happy.”
The installation marks a turning point for the Salesian mission in Nigeria, signifying both maturity and a hopeful future. For many, Fr. Morba’s appointment embodies the vision of a truly African-led Salesian presence, rooted in faith, committed to youth, and attentive to the needs of the times.