THE HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE HANDMAIDS OF THE HOLY CHILD JESUS, NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE
THE HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE HANDMAIDS OF THE HOLY CHILD JESUS, NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE
The 7th General Chapter held at Eriam in March, 1996 decreed that the Congregation be organized in Provinces for a more Effective Administration and Apostolic Ministry. As a result of this mandate, the following Provinces were created:
North– Western Province
South – Eastern Province
Central Eastern Province
Ghana Province
NORTH–WESTERN PROVINCE
The North-Western Province of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus was erected on the 18th of August, 1997 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria with the headquarters located at 2-6 Somosu Street, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.
This event was carried out after the First Provincial Assembly held at Gwagwalada, Abuja on the 15th of August– September, 1997. The then Superior General, Mother Mary Langley, HHCJ presented an opening address.
The North Western Province was made up of Communities in the Archdioceses and Dioceses of Lagos, Abuja, Lokoja, Ilorin, Ijebu-Ode, Idah, Makurdi, Minna and Ondo. The Province had the total number of ninety –six Professed Sisters living in eighteen Communities of the Congregation at her inauguration. The North western Province is multi-culture with Sisters from different parts of the country.
The First Leadership Team
The following Sisters were appointed to serve the Province on the 18th of August, 1997 at the Provincial Assembly held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria.
Sr. Emmanuella Ladipo, HHCJ Provincial Superior
Sr. Beatrice Azide, HHCJ Provincial Vicar
Sr. Mary Tuku, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Justina Obiajunwa, HHCJ Provincial Coiuncillor
Sr. Dorothy Okpanachi, HHCJ Provincial Concillor
First Provincial Chapter: Held at Redeemptoris Centre, Ibadan from 26th July – 1st August, 2000.
Theme: Towards Building a More Effective Community Centered on Gospel Witnessing.
These Sisters were appointed as Leadership Team:
Sr. Emmanuella Ladipo, HHCJ Provincial Superior
Sr. Beatrice Azide, HHCJ Provincial Vicar
Sr. Justina Obiajunwa, HHCJ Provincial Coiuncillor
Sr. Mary Tuku, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Dorothy Okpanachi, HHCJ Provincial Concillor
Second Provincial Chapter: Took place at the Provincialate HHCJ, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos from 8th -17th July, 2023.
Theme: Living Out Our Charism and Mission in Accordance to the Signs of the Times.
The following Sisters were appointed as members of the Leadership Team:
Sr. Dorothy Okpanachi, HHCJ Provincial Superior
Sr. Justina Obiajunwa, HHCJ Provincial Vicar
Sr. Francisca Josephine Nzeke, HHCJ Provincial Concillor
Sr. Grace Ushie, HHCJ Provincial Coiuncillor
Sr. Ngozi Frances Uti, HHCJ Provincial Coiuncillor
The Third Provincial Chapter: Held at the Provincialate HHCJ, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos from 30th July – 6th August, 2006.
Theme: Passion for Christ, Passion for Humanity: Handmaids as Signs and Instrument of Gods Compassionate Love and Reconciliation.
The following Sisters were appointed as members of the Leadership Team:
Sr. Dorothy Okpanachi, HHCJ Provincial Superior
Sr. Grace Ushie, HHCJ Provincial Vicar
Sr. Rosemary Ukata, HHCJ Provincial Coiuncillor
Sr. Cicilia Oboh, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Josephine Ngama, HHCJ Provincial Concillor
The Fourth Provincial Chapter: Held from 27th July – 3rd August, 2009 at the Provincialate House, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.
Theme: Towards the Renewal of Our Religious Commitments.
At the end of the Chapter proceedings, the following Sisters were called to serve.
Sr. Justina Obiajunwa, HHCJ Provincial Superior
Sr. Anthonia Uche, HHCJ Provincial Vicar
Sr. Rosemary Ukata, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Oshieza Ann Otonoku, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Agnes Ijoko, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
The Fifth Provincial Chapter: Held from 1st – 6th August, 2013 at the Provincialate House, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.
Theme: Understanding, Owing and Prophetic Living of Our Identity as Handmaids.
The following Sisters were appointed to serve as Leadership Team
Sr. Ngozi Frances Uti, HHCJ Provincial Superior
Sr. Oshieza Ann Otonoku, HHCJ Provincial Vicar
Sr. Agnes Ijoko, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Patience Amadike, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Philomina Akem, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
The 6th Provincial Chapter: Held from 17th – 24th September, 2016 at the Provincialate House, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.
Theme: And Love is the Answer: Re- Birthing the All-Embracing Charity of our Mother Foundress.
At the end of the Chapter proceedings, the following Sisters were called to serve.
Sr. Osheiza Ann Otonoku, HHCJ Provincial Superior
Sr. Grace Ushie, HHCJ Provincial Vicar
Sr. Patience Amadike, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Philomina Akem, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Callista Umeh, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
The 7th Provincial Chapter: Started from 22nd – 30th August, 2019 at the Provincialate House, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.
Theme: Call to Conversion in the Living Out of Our Mission Statement.
The following Sisters were called to serve:
Sr. Osheiza Ann Otonoku, HHCJ Provincial Superior
Sr. Callista Umeh, HHCJ Provincial Vicar
Sr. Jane Onyeneri, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Cordelia Nwefo, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Mary Okolo, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
The 8th Provincial Chapter: Began from 22nd– 30th September, 2022 at the Provincialate House, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.
Theme: Synodality in the Life, Vision and Mission of the Handmaids in the 21st Century.
The following Sisters were called to serve:
Sr. Jane Onyeneri, HHCJ Provincial Superior
Sr. Cordelia Nwefo, HHCJ Provincial Vicar
Sr. Mary Okolo, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. MaryElizabeth Adedeji, HHCJ Provincial Councillor
Sr. Anthonia Onuegbu, HHCJ Provincial Councillor