History was made on Sunday, March 29, 2026, Passion Sunday, as Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Catholic Chaplaincy in the Nigerian French Language Village, Ajara, Badagry, in over 15 years of existence, had its first Palm Sunday procession within the campus and Mass at her chapel. The chaplaincy is attached to Holy Family Catholic Church, Ajara, and the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Matthew Nougbode, doubles as its chaplain.
Holy Mass is celebrated in the chapel based on the availability of a priest and members of the chaplaincy, comprising mainly French undergraduates from degree-awarding institutions/colleges of education across Nigeria.
Further, the coming of a student priest, Rev. Fr. Oguledo, Achilleus Chidiebere, has been of great benefit to Fr. Matthew Nougbode-led pastoral team and all members of the Catholic community. Fr. Oguledo from Ahiara Diocese is in the Nigerian French Language Village for studies. He has introduced the French language into the liturgy and is billed to return to his diocese in July. His presence is of immense benefit to Holy Family Ajara, as is his priestly ministry to the entire parish. Since he joined the pastoral team in January, the parish priest has scheduled Mass in the chaplaincy at 7:00 a.m. every Sunday. Coincidentally, Fr. Oguledo was the priest assigned to celebrate Mass in the chaplaincy on Palm Sunday. It was indeed a historic and memorable day for the chaplaincy.
Fr., you are a Godsend. This is the chaplaincy’s first-ever Palm Sunday Procession and Mass. Congratulations on making this history,” remarked Mrs. Sessi Fagbeji-Agemo, President of the Catholic Community, while expressing joy and gratitude to Fr. Oguledo.
The Chaplaincy is grateful to His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, for adding Fr. Oguledo to the Holy Family Parish Pastoral Team and his numerous contributions to the growth of the Chaplaincy, praying that His Grace would consider the peculiar nature and special status of the Chaplaincy and assign a priest to cater to her needs.
They were equally grateful to the Prof. Diipo Kolawole-led administration for sustaining the religious and interfaith harmony in the Inter-University Centre for French Studies in Nigeria.
