Diocesan Retreat & Youth Development Centre—Impact and Ongoing Needs

We are grateful to share that the Diocesan Retreat and Youth Development Centre is now largely complete and fully operational. After years of planning, construction, and generous support from benefactors, the Centre is actively serving the Diocese of Ikot Ekpene as a place of prayer, formation, and pastoral gathering.

In September 2025, the Centre hosted its first major national gathering, welcoming the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria for meetings and prayer. This milestone confirmed the Centre’s readiness to serve not only the Diocese, but also the wider Church. Since that time, the facilities have continued to be used for retreats, meetings, and youth-oriented programs.

While the primary construction phase has reached completion, the mission of the Retreat and Youth Development Centre is ongoing. For the Centre to flourish and remain sustainable, continued support is needed in several key areas:

  • Development and funding of retreat, youth, and formation programs
  • Ongoing maintenance and operational expenses
  • Furnishings, equipment, and program resources
  • Future expansion and mission-oriented projects connected to the Centre

This Centre was never intended to be simply a completed building. It is meant to be a living apostolate, serving clergy, religious, and lay faithful for generations to come. Continued financial support helps ensure that it remains accessible, well-maintained, and capable of responding to the pastoral needs of the Diocese.

We are deeply grateful to all who helped make this Centre a reality. Your generosity has already borne visible fruit, and your continued partnership will help ensure that this place of prayer and formation continues to serve the Church with strength and stability.

The images below reflect the completed facilities and recent gatherings held at the Centre.

A group of people in traditional attire engaged in conversation around a table in a communal setting.
A large group of people in white shirts and dark skirts or pants sitting in rows in a bright indoor space, with some individuals playing instruments and others standing attentively.
A large group of people seated in rows of chairs during a formal event in a spacious hall. Attendees are mostly dressed in white shirts, with some in colorful attire. The setting features air conditioning units and windows, contributing to a bright atmosphere.
A gathering of people in white attire, including clergy and laypersons, attending a religious event in a large hall with empty chairs. The backdrop features a banner with a religious theme.
Two workers standing on a mound of dirt at a construction site, with a partially built building and greenery in the background.
Front view of a modern multi-story building with large windows and a staircase, surrounded by vehicles and a cloudy sky.
Construction site featuring two tall metal towers with workers in the foreground among dirt and vegetation under a partly cloudy sky.
Two tall water storage towers with metal frames and large tanks on top, set against a cloudy sky. Workers are seen at the construction site below, surrounded by dirt and greenery.
A spacious banquet hall with rows of tables covered in gold tablecloths, surrounded by red chairs. Decorative floral arrangements are placed around the room. The floor has black and white marble tiles, and large windows allow natural light to enter. A stage at the far end features a presentation setup.
A rustic kitchen with three pots over open fires made of wood, surrounded by cooking utensils and various containers, with greenery visible outside.
A marble plaque commemorating the foundation stone of a Retreat and Youth Development Centre, marking the Golden Jubilee of Ikot Ekpene Diocese and the Silver Jubilee of St. Anthony of Padua Spiritual Year Seminary, dated December 6, 2019.
A well-lit hallway featuring polished tile flooring, white walls, and several doors along the sides, leading into a deeper corridor.
Interior view of a spacious dining hall with multiple tables and chairs, featuring white walls and marble flooring.
A modern two-story building with a tan exterior, large windows, and a covered entrance. The building is situated in a landscaped area with a driveway and a motorcycle parked in front.
Interior view of a spacious hall featuring rows of red chairs with gold trim, a large front area, and windows providing natural light.
View of a newly constructed building with multiple floors and windows, surrounded by a landscaped area and a paved road.
A small bedroom featuring a single bed with a light-colored mattress and two pillows, a wooden desk with a chair, and a window covered by curtains. An air conditioning unit is mounted on the wall.
Exterior view of a large building with a stage, decorated with flowers and a red carpet, during an event, with people on stage and a camera crew in the foreground.
A gathering of numerous women dressed in religious attire, sitting under a tent during a ceremony, with some smiling and engaged in conversation.
A large residential building surrounded by greenery, featuring palm trees and colorful flower bushes in the foreground under a bright blue sky.
Spacious, empty room with tiled floor and large windows letting in natural light.
A large, modern house surrounded by greenery, featuring palm trees and colorful bushes in the foreground, against a clear blue sky.
A newly constructed multi-story building with a modern design, featuring large windows and a central entrance. In the foreground, a man is walking towards the building, and a motorcycle is parked nearby. The sky is partly cloudy, adding to the vibrant setting.
A marching band in red uniforms with plumed hats performing on a road, flanked by palm trees and greenery, with cars and an audience in the background.
A group of dancers performing in traditional attire at an event, with a backdrop displaying the logo of the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria and a speaker stand.
A gathering of clergy in ceremonial attire, including bishops in red and white robes, standing and interacting inside a spacious hall with large windows, while a table is set with religious items.
A large gathering of people in colorful attire, including many wearing red robes and headdresses, during an outdoor event with tents set up in the background and palm trees nearby.
A parade featuring a marching band dressed in red and white uniforms with plumed hats, playing instruments. In the foreground, individuals in red robes are visible, surrounded by a crowded event scene with green trees in the background and cloudy skies.
A vibrant cultural performance featuring dancers in colorful traditional attire, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd, with a mix of buildings and vehicles in the background.
A modern two-story building with a yellow exterior and large windows, featuring a front porch with columns. There is an open area in front with a motorcycle parked on a paved surface and greenery.
A gathering of Catholic bishops at the Second Plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, held in Ikot Ekpene, featuring a large banner with event details and a portrait of a bishop, with attendees seated in front.

November, 2021 Update

Over the past few years, much progress has been made on the building of the Retreat and Youth Development Centre. The images below show steady progress made since our original July 2018 post of this project.

A wide dirt road leading to a large, multi-story building surrounded by overgrown grass and palm trees under a cloudy sky.
A partially constructed building surrounded by overgrown grass and palm trees, with a dirt path leading towards it, under a cloudy sky.
A green, overgrown field with tall grass and several palm trees. In the background, there are two buildings, one unfinished and gray, and another smaller, styled like a house. The sky is overcast.
A large building under construction, featuring scaffolding around its façade and greenery surrounding the site.
Abandoned building with scaffolding and overgrown grass in front.
A person in white clothing walking towards a dilapidated building surrounded by tall grass and palm trees under a cloudy sky.
Overgrown vegetation surrounds an abandoned building in a rural setting, with palm trees in the background and a cloudy sky.
A spacious stage with a simple design featuring a central cross, surrounded by red and white walls, and equipped with ceiling fans. The stage has several steps leading up to it and is set in a well-lit area.
A statue on a pedestal surrounded by palm trees in a grassy area under a cloudy sky.
A church building with a cross on its roof, surrounded by greenery and palm trees, with a statue in front.

July, 2018 Update

One of the biggest projects that the Diocese of Ikot Ekpene has undertook is the building of a new Youth Development & Retreat Centre next to the spiritual year seminary.  The project moves forward as money is available.  The total cost of the project will be about 1.2 million USD.  The centre will meet a very serious need within Nigeria for a place that people can gather to grow in their faith.  Currently, there are no similar structures in the diocese or in any nearby dioceses.

The facility will also double as a youth development centre where young people can go to learn important skills so that they can find employment. Lack of employment is one of the greatest difficulties facing most Nigerians. By providing important training opportunities for young people, the Diocese of Ikot Ekpene hopes to help improve the lives of their people.

Enjoy the video tour of the centre below as well as the various pictures.  If you would like to donate toward the completion of this project, please contact us or make a donation online or by check.

The video and images below are from July, 2018. We are hoping that this retreat center will be ready to be opened by early 2024.

New Retreat Center Construction
New Retreat Center Construction
Retreat Center Construction
New Retreat Center Construction
New Retreat Center Construction
Retreat Center Construction
New Retreat Center Construction
Diocese of Ikot Ekpene – New Retreat Center
New Retreat Center Construction
View of St. Anthony of Padua Spiritual Year Seminary
New Retreat Center Construction

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