HISTORY
& ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE
HISTORY
Pro Labore Dei was founded on 16th May 1990 in Ibadan, the capital
of Oyo State of Nigeria. It began as a reponse to God’s call to Sister Stella-
Maris Okonkwo to "Go out into the streets and slum areas where people are
suffering and look after the poor". She began the work with a few destitute
in the Bere area of Ibadan with only a few Naira in her pocket.
Six weeks later she received the blessing and approval of the then Bishop of
Ibadan Diocese Rt. Rev Dr. Felix Alaba job (Now Archbishop).
Under prayerful reflections, the principles and plan of action in phases were inspired and
were communicated to the Bishop in the earliest project
write up of 1990.
Pro Labore Dei is a tender shoot, breaking through arid ground, amid
scorching heat overcoming all oppositions, covert or overt with
God’s mighty power to become a big tree under which people of all races and
creed come for shelter, and to serve. It all began as a journey to the unknown.
Having received direct guidelines from God for the mission, during a nine-day
novena of prayers, fasting and vigils Sr. Stella Maris marched out resolutely to
pick up her first destitute. She ministered to the 1st set of
destitute personally, feeding them from her meagre resources, cleaning and
airing their rooms, bathing them when necessary, washing their clothes,
supplying them with clothes, portable water and other necessities of life.
Soon mistrust and doubt disappeared gradually and gave way to enthusiastic
welcome everywhere. She later became a great friend of little children who
called after her "Tita".
It was in January 1991 that help first came to Pro Labore Dei through a
Redemptorist Superior Rev. Gil Enderle and his Novices. The five of them worked
hard, digging to help remove the 5 year old mound of garbage in Amusa’s room
in Bere. Amusa, a paraplegic, was abandoned by his relation.
Others soon joined i.e. Seminarians from S.S Peter and Paul, Bodija, White
Fathers (Missionary of Africa) Jesuits,
one or two Dominicans and several lay people.
ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
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12th
December 1991, a centre for skill training was established at Ile Asukonu
in Bere. This is in response to God’s instruction.
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14th
December 1991, an informal Education centre was set up for the children of
the destitute at Bere, when the Lord said to Sr. Stella "Educate
their young".
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3rd
February or there about in 1992, Rotationary Health Service began House to
House treatment of the sick, poor, paralysed etc.
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2nd
April 1992 at her request Sr. Stella-Maris was released from her
congregation, so that she can give her whole life to God in service of the
poor in the slum area of Agbede Adodo as its first school building.
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7th
June 1992, Meal Kitchen introduced using this school compound at Agbede
Adodo for cooking and serving the poor.
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In
August 1992, Pro Labore Dei Prison Apostolate began.
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By
the end of 1992 total helping hand/volunteers had risen to 101 in Ibadan
only.
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It
was 1993 February 11th that PLD moved into its first
Secretariat building at Yemetu, a ten room story building given by a
generous donor to Pro Labore Dei.
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18th
June 1993, Launching of the Secretariat, attended by state dignitaries all
over Ibadan in honour of the Sacred heart of Jesus.
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1st
November 1993, the great "turn over" as Sr. Stella turned over
every property, every possession inherited or given to her, for the use of
the poor, and vowed to own nothing ever for herself and by herself for the
glory of God.
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One
of these properties being the house currently housing Pro Labore Dei,
Asaba branch.
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5th
November 1993, Sr. Stella took vows of perpetual consecration to God
(order of virgins) according to Canon 604, Catholic Canon Law. This
ceremony of consecration was done at Issele-Uku by Bishop Anthony O. Gbuji,
in accordance with Roman Pontifical rights for consecration of Virgins.
That was the most important event for the year 1993.
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30th
May, 1994,9.2 acres of Land i.e. 67 plots of land was purchased at Balogun
lbikunle Village Ibadan as there was urgent need for expansion. The work
having grown beyond our imagination!
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1st
November 1994, formal reception of first set of trained PLD volunteers.
Thus the uniformed member came to existence.
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21st
November1994, Arch Bishop Felix Alaba job, laid the first foundation stone
of the center at Balogun Ibikunle Village. |
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31st
December 1994, the first building, the administrative block was completed
at the permanent site in Ibadan.
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15th
January 1995, the first set of destitute and a volunteer male member moved
into the compound to reside.
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11th
February 1995, 3 more building were dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes
together with the life size crucifix the way of the cross round the
compound.
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14th
April 1995, the school children from Bere moved from the mud school
building at Agbede Adodo to a spacious custom built compound at the
permanent site in.Balogun Village
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27th
May 1995, Pro Labore Dei 6 bedded Health Center donated by Dr. Raymond
Zard was commissioned attended by the OIu-badan of.lbadan, numerous state
dignitaries as well as a representative of the archbishop.
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In
1996, more volunteers joined. 11th February 1996, Yaheweh Nissi building
was completed.
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25th
March same year Sr. Stella-Maris moved into the compound with her
children (the orphan and the destitute).
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12th
May 1996, the compound saw for the time electricity much to the joy of the
inmates and to the glory of God (courtesy support group from 1ITA).
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1997,
was a year of attacks from a few quarters as if to run down the strength
and the name of the organization.
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17th
September 1997, Arch Bishop job visited Pro Labore Dei a second time.
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30th
November 1997, the most mysterious fascinating rays appeared from the
heavens over the compound of Pro Labore Dei as the blessed Mother revealed
herself to the children of the poor in the compound carrying the baby
Jesus in her hand. The beginning of a new dimension in the History of Pro
Labore Dei! From that day to this day people flock in thousands to the
compound for prayers, for healing which they receive most miraculously
every Thursday and every first Friday of the Month. The healing takes
place even when Sister Stella is absent thus showing the power of God at
work by Himself.
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7th
October 1997, - PLD~ Chapel, children’s dormitory completed and
dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.
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16th
May1998, 1st Open day. Media broadcast allowed for the first
time.
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20th
of January 1999, Asaba branch opened
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8th
February 1st feeding of destitute and 1st prayer day at Asaba.
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5th
September 1999, Lagos branch opened in a rented house.
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11th
February 2000, PLD Lagos branch house completed and dedicated to Our Lady
of Lourdes.
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16th
May - 27th June 2000, Pro Labore Del 10th Anniversary celebration
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10th
March, 2001, Pro Labore Dei opened a new branch at Enugu Diocese with the
full support of His Lordship, Bishop A.O. Gbuji.
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