The Society of St Paul, Nigeria–Ghana Region on 21 June 2023, laid the foundation for the construction of a formation house at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, located in the South-South of the country. The presiding minister of the ceremony was His Lordship, Most. Rev. Dr Camillus Umoh, Bishop of the Diocese of Ikot Ekpene. In attendance were two General councillors from Rome (Father Antonio Pimienta and Brother Lorenzo Vezzani), the Regional Superior, Father Joseph Kandachamkunnel, confreres from different communities, priests, religious sisters, and some lay faithful of the diocese.
The ceremony began with a prayer, followed by a welcome remark by Father Joseph Kandachamkunnel, the regional superior. He expressed his joy and thanked God for guiding and inspiring the project. He also thanked the Bishop for welcoming the Society of St Paul in his Diocese and appreciated the support of the village head. Brother Lorenzo Zezzani read out the message of the Superior General, which highlighted our willingness to work with the Diocese to meet the needs of the people. The laity representative welcomed the Society of St Paul to the diocese. After the laying of the foundation stone, the visitors from Rome were presented with gifts by the village head. There was then a dance led by some of the women present in praise of God for the historic event. The ceremony ended with a solemn blessing of His Lordship, accompanied by a hymn of dismissal in the local language.
