DOMINICAN SISTERS OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA, GUSAU, NIGERIA: EXPERIENCE OF MINISTERING IN THE NORTH-WESTERN PART OF NIGERIA

Abstract

North-western Nigeria covers a total of nine (9) States, namely; Sokoto, Niger, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, and Kaduna.  It is a region that is blessed in terms of vastness of land wh ich provides opportunity for engaging in agricultural projects especially in the large production of grains for which the area is known.  It is also a region that is very passionate about religion a nd religious practices.  Being predominantly Islamic it retains an atmosphere of strict Islamic et hics which gives an impression that people of other religious affiliations are either lackadaisicall y tolerated or totally unwelcomed.  In spite of this reality, people of different religious beliefs ha ve continued to co-exist in this region and engage with one another although sadly in mutual di strust especially in recent times.  This is the region where the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Gusau, Nigeria, were founded over forty years ago, and where most of their communit ies are sited.