By The Qoheleth
While some Catholic priests are joining some of the protestant communities in raising different kinds of adoration grounds where they conduct miracles and preach prosperity, Rev. Fr. Boniface Duru insisted in the continuation of the core mission of priests developed by the earliest missionaries; winning souls through education, healthcare and community services. This priest who is the founder and President of Opera Don Bonifacio Azione Verde with a vision to promote human development all over the world through training, formation and holistic education of children and adults to make them protagonists of their own societies where they can make meaningfully and democratically changes in their country.
Don Bonifacio celebrates his birthday today and this coincides with the accreditation of Azione Verde University by Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC).
Rev. Fr. Boniface Duru, a Catholic priest from Orlu Diocese in Imo State, for over 25 years, has continued to manifest his dream of changing the destiny of many people through education and sustainable health. His organization, Opera Don Bonifacio Azione Verde has also championed the implementation of socio-health programmes aimed at guaranteeing right to health care to vulnerable Africans who were socially excluded. According to Fr. Boniface, “Children are the wealth of every poor nation and the hope of humanity. This is our main interest. Training of children is the secret to achieving a healthy and sustainable development in the third world countries because children are the adults of tomorrow.”
Azione Verde has shown strong determination to children’s education, health and wellbeing. This has gone a long way to meet prevailing challenges in these sectors. Nigeria has the world’s highest number of out-of-school children, and one of its highest rates of maternal, child and infant mortality. More than four million children are unimmunized and tens of millions of Nigerians still do not have access to clean water and proper sanitation, putting children’s health at risk.
There is no gain saying the fact that Nigerian children have a huge role to play in the development of the country in the future. It is the generation of children growing up today who will take their place as Nigeria’s leaders of tomorrow and accelerate its growth and development. The healthy development of children is also crucial to the future well-being of any society. Many Nigerian children, especially those who live in the rural communities are still affected by poor living conditions, poverty, inadequate health care, poor nutrition, unsafe water, housing and environmental pollution.
The mission of Azione Verde towards human capacity development all over the world through training, formation and holistic education of children and adults to make them protagonists of their own societies where they can make meaningfully and democratically changes for positive development cannot be over emphasized.
In 2022, Fr. Boniface established Azione Verde International school to pave way for holistic education and personal growth for Nigerian youths. The school equips children with the skills and knowledge they need to compete in the global economy, and later create jobs, and ultimately through this, reduce poverty. Education acts as a powerful equalizer, breaking down socio-economic barriers and fostering inclusivity. Azione Verde is totally committed to providing quality education to all, irrespective of background, and also ensures that many Nigerian children have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic tapestry.
Azione Verde International School located in Amaigbo in Imo state, Nigeria provides holistic education to many students. This goes beyond reading and writing. Rev. Father Boniface Ifeanyi Duru said the institution was birthed out of his believe and love for humanity and for children to go to school beyond limitations, bearing in mind that education is the future where the children belong.
From inception, the management of the school from the nursery to the primary section have shown thorough dedication to their academic and administrative duties. The beauty of Azione Verde International school is that over 80% of the students are on scholarship.
Through the efforts of Fr. Boniface, Opera Don Bonifacio Azione Verde has gathered over 1000 associates which includes members, supporters, friends and volunteers in Italy and other parts of the world. These team members and volunteers have been bringing succor, love and hope to the sick, the down trodden, the poor and the children both in Imo State and beyond. Every year, volunteers comprising health professionals visit thousands of patients and provide health care services at no costs. The organization had also continually sent many children who were unable to afford education to school on scholarship. The organization is responsible for the free education of the students of Azione Verde International school.
They also organize annual camping exercises to encourage interaction, bonding and love. This is what the organization refers to as “Viaggio della speranza” (Journey of hope). It is an expression of love where people from different races and classes share feelings for each other thereby promoting boundless affection.
Furthermore, the Organization carries out annual scholarship program in Nigeria to encourage students to continue their university studies in specialized and professional training programs and job placement abroad. One of the interesting aspects of the journey of hope is the collective adoption and sponsorship of children in Nigeria. It gives them sense of belonging and sustainable patronage.
The Nigerian health care had suffered several infectious disease outbreaks year after year. Hence, there is need to tackle the problem. Public health contributes towards the provision of optimal health for all Nigerians in line with existing National Health Policy. This is one of the missions of Azione Verde. The Nigerian priest established Aqua Viva Hospital in Imo State to meet the health need of the people.
Aqua Viva Hospital was established to meet the demanding health care of the people especially those residing in rural communities. It provides health care to thousands of people who live within Amaigbo, in Imo state and beyond. The hospital is equipped with laboratories for diagnosis of different pathologies. Aqua Viva Hospital has regular supply of drugs from Italy to meet the needs of the patients. A photovoltaic system has also been provided to reduce the energy consumption in the hospital.
Every summer, the organization hosts medical volunteers from Italy who visit the country to sensitize and promote public health. They also use the opportunity to provide healthcare to the people. This always brought joy and happiness to the people especially those at the bottom of the pyramid.
Apart from the education and healthcare, Fr. Boniface Duru has also empowered many women, especially widows through micro credit programmes. These women find life difficult after the death of their husbands. In most cases, they are exposed to hardship, sickness and death. The microfinance programme has helped many of them to regain hope, meet their daily needs and sustain life through engagement in micro business activities.
Fr. Duru not only assists the widows through this empowerment, he also assists in training their children and providing healthcare for them. In some cases, he had provided houses and food items to these widows which has improved their lives. According to Mrs. Fidelis, a widow; “Since the death of my husband, Fr. Boniface offered scholarship to three of my children in his school. When I got to the school, I also noted that he did so to many other widows and poor people. He is an extraordinary priest.”
Fr. Boniface Duru did not stop at establishing a secondary school and hospital within his local community, he went ahead to set up a university. Azione Verde University is established to provide the culture of peace, justice as well as enhance human dignity in the world through holistic education and training.
The Campus, located in Amaigbo in Nwangele local government area of Imo State in Nigeria covers an area of over 75 hectares that comprises university faculties, laboratories, canteen, lecture hall, accommodation, sports centre, church, library and clinic. It will offer opportunities for over 5000 students in the areas of science and technology, business management and entrepreneurship. Students will also be prepared for external exams in scientific, linguistic and technological courses.
Furthermore, the university will offer a wide range of specialization courses for adults who wish to have more knowledge to manage their economic activities, to improve the use of computers, and to develop new technologies in the field of medicine and scientific research.
The vastness of the complex will offer students a wonderful encounter with nature and a suitable space for reflection, interaction and sports.
Azione Verde University follows modern standards that can accommodate students from all over the world. It will have a scientific orientation in particular on science and technology.
This great priest has served in various parishes in Nigeria and Europe. He had also overcome various challenges encountered in all his mission. This has made him gain support and encouragement from his bishops, parishioners and the members of his organization. Despite his humble life, he has broken the barriers of global achievements and honour.
Fr. Boniface Duru celebrates his birthday today. As a birthday package, the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) has accredited his university and granted approval for the commencement of Azione Verde University. This is another milestone by the priest. Coming from a humble background to achieve this greatness, he has shown to be like a rose flower with beautiful fragrance that grew from thorns that never choked it.
Following the approval of the university by the Nigeria Universities Commission, the school hopes to commence full academic work towards the end of this year.
