Nigeria - Fr Daniel Antúnez, President of Missioni Don Bosco Turin and his team visit the Salesian Africa Nigeria Niger Province
Iju, Nigeria – September 2024 – From 20 to 27 September 2024, Fr Daniel Antúnez, President of the Missioni Don Bosco Salesian Mission Office in Turin, and his team undertook a week-long visit to the Africa Nigeria-Niger Salesian Province (ANN) to supervise and evaluate sponsored projects in the country. During the visit, the team made stops at several key initiatives that are part of the Missioni Don Bosco commitment in the country. Among these, the Bosco Boys projects stand out, operating in Lagos and Ibadan, offering shelter, education and support to vulnerable children and young people. They also visited the Stitches project, a vocational training programme to equip young women with tailoring skills, and the Ijebu Ode technical school, where students are trained in various trades to improve their employability and economic independence. Fr Antúnez and his team were deeply impressed by the impact the projects have on local communities, noting the dedication and commitment of both the staff and the beneficiaries. However, they also offered suggestions to improve some areas, stressing the need for sustained efforts to ensure the longevity and success of the initiatives. The visit served not only as a verification, but also as an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and reflection. The team interacted with local partners to better understand the challenges and needs on the ground. These discussions aim to define plans for greater collaboration and resource allocation. The team expressed optimism about the future, hinting at further collaborations to expand the reach and effectiveness of Missioni Don Bosco's work in the region.