Amb. Edith ISIDAHOMEN

 

The SMA (Society of African Missions) Fathers, Nigeria Province successfully held its 2nd Provincial Assembly from Tuesday 11th November 2025 to Thursday 20th November 2025 at the SMA Fathers Nigeria Provincial House at Orita Challenge, Ibadan.

 

Every six years, SMA Fathers constituted in Provinces worldwide convene a Provincial Assembly in each unit to review their mission, vision, and leadership. The 2nd Provincial Assembly for Nigeria, which drew delegates of her members from across Nigeria and from amongst Nigerian SMA priests working outside the country, thus serves as a critical moment for spiritual renewal, discernment and strategic planning, setting a path forward with renewed missionary commitment for the next six years.

The assembly opened with the Holy Mass at St Leo Catholic Church, Orita Challenge. It was officiated by the Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin and concelebrated by many SMA Priests.

 

Also in attendance were some religious alongside members of the SMA Mission Support Group (SMA-MSG), Ibadan and some parishioners.

 

The homilist for the Mass, Rev Fr. Anthony Olaniyan, gave a heart steering sermon that centred on the assembly’s theme: “Missionaries of Hope: Set Apart to Announce the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth.”

 

In his homily, Fr. Olaniyan stressed that genuine missionary zeal flows from hope rooted deeply in both the heart and the mind. Without this inner hope, he warned, no one can truly serve as a missionary. “One can only be a missionary of hope if the heart and mind are right—if there is hope in one’s heart,” the homilist affirmed.

Reflecting on the nature of the missionary call, Fr. Olaniyan reminded SMA priests and members that when God calls a person, He also shapes the life circumstances needed for that person to accomplish His will. He urged those present to reflect God’s image more faithfully and not allow external challenges to weaken their witness. “Sometimes we fail in reflecting God’s image because we allow events around us to dictate our lives. I pray that our lives will be filled with blessings so that we will not give the devil room to penetrate,” he said.

 

While recognizing that difficulties are unavoidable in missionary life, Fr. Olaniyan encouraged the SMA community not to let hardship define them but rather to be shaped by their victory over such trials. “With every call, there are bound to be moments of challenge, but the challenges do not define us; instead, the conquest of such challenges gives us our identity as missionaries,” he noted.

 

He concluded by inviting the SMA community to take pride in their heritage, recalling the congregation’s enduring legacy of evangelization. “We come from a congregation with a long history of missions. Our mission is of God—that is why we continue even years after the death of our founder. Christ sustains us and meets our needs … we must never entertain fear in times of challenge,” he declared.

 

Following the Mass, during the assembly, the participants effectively discussed ways to strengthen their evangelization efforts in Nigeria, deepen their commitment to social justice, and expand formation programs for future missionaries.

 

The important highlight of the assembly is the election of a Provincial Superior to lead and guide the affairs of the SMA in Nigeria. After a deep spiritual process of discernment, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chinenye DIM, SMA was elected as the new Provincial Superior of the SMA Fathers in Nigeria for the next six years. We pray for God’s guidance and strength upon him and his provincial team that they may fulfil God’s will in exercising their responsibilities.

Historically, the SMA has played a significant role in evangelization, education, healthcare, and youth ministry in Nigeria. Their mission today continues to focus on three pillars: evangelization of the poor and abandoned; justice, peace, and integration through social engagement; and human development, especially via youth empowerment.

 

The Society of African Missions (SMA) is an international Catholic Missionary Society committed to bringing the Good News to Africa and peoples of African origin. In Nigeria, the SMA has been active for decades, contributing significantly to the growth of the Church through evangelization, education, health care, and dialogue.

 

The Society also promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue, recognizing Nigeria’s rich diversity as part of its calling.