Liguori House, Ibadan – A Milestone for the Redemptorist Family in West Africa
The Redemptorist Congregation in West Africa has reached another historic milestone with the firstever
meeting of the Joint Committee for the drafting of the Electoral laws that would usher in the
new leadership for the Western Zone, come 2027. The Western Zone of COREAM comprises of the
Vice Province of Nigeria and the Vice Province of Afrique de l’Ouest. The meeting took place at
Liguori House, Ibadan, from August 24th – 27th, 2025 — a moment already etched into our
collective memory.
The committee, made up of eight confreres (Frs. Godwin Abbah, Kingsley Ebhodaghe, Godfrey
Udeh and Kenmaria Onuoha from the Vice Province of Nigeria and Simeon Chabi, Eric Bayi,
Cajetan Oleka and Ila Samaila from the Vice Province of Afrique De l’Ouest), gathered to
reflect on our shared mission and to chart new paths of collaboration. Particularly moving was the
dedication of the confreres from Afrique de l’Ouest, who travelled for three days to join their
brothers in Ibadan. Their sacrifice embodies the very spirit of missionary zeal and fraternal
solidarity that characterises our Congregation. The difficulty and expense of travel within Africa is
one of the challenges that the confreres within COREAM have to contend with as we advance into
the final stages of the reconfiguration progress.
This joint meeting marks more than an administrative step; it is a symbol of unity, growth, and
commitment within the Western Zone and a sign of hope for COREAM (Conference of the
Redemptorists of Africa and Madagascar). In coming together across borders, languages, and
cultures, the confreres of Nigeria and Afrique de l’Ouest are living witnesses to the process of
Restructuring that the Congregation has called us to embrace. It is a testimony to our readiness to
build a stronger, more missionary-focused Redemptorist presence in this part of the world.
The meeting is a first step towards the selection of leaders that will take over the service of
leadership in the soon-to be reconfigured unit. It affirms that our future lies in collaboration,
mutual support, and shared leadership.
With heartfelt gratitude, we acknowledge the leadership of the Vice Provincials, Fr. Michael
Emerue (Nigeria) and Fr. Olivier Sawadogo (Afrique de l’Ouest), whose vision, encouragement,
and guidance made this historic gathering possible. We equally express deep appreciation to the
confreres who form the pioneering team of this joint committee. Their generosity, commitment, and
openness have set a firm foundation upon which future collaboration will stand.
This first meeting at Liguori House will be remembered as a moment of grace and courage — a
seed planted that promises abundant fruits for the Western Zone, for COREAM, and for the entire
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
Godwin Abbah, CSsR
For the Electoral Law Drafting Commission
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