Early Life and Education
Birth and Family Background
Mother Onomoresoa Agatha Selo-Ojeme was born in Benin City, Edo State in the late 1950s to a devout Catholic family. She is the daughter of the late Pa Daniel Oyemoba Selo-Ojeme (KSM) and Lady Agnes Buku Selo-Ojeme, both from Ewu Ishan, Edo State.
Joining the Sisters of the Sacred Heart Congregation
In 1977, after completing her secondary education, she joined the Sisters of the Sacred Heart Congregation, one of its pioneering members. The congregation was founded by the then Metropolitan Archbishop Ebosele Ekpu of the Benin Archdiocese.
Higher Education in the United States
She later advanced her education at Viterbo College in the United States, earning her first degree in Education/Religious Studies in 1985.
Dedication to Religious Service
Early Roles in the Congregation
After her religious profession, Mother Oresoa served as Vocation Directress and Postulant Mistress within the congregation. In 1988, she was assigned to the Brother Roman Catechetical Centre in Ekpoma, Edo State, under the Benin Diocese.
A Passion for the Poor
She developed a deep passion for the poor, which led her to focus her efforts on serving destitute children. Although she was sent to head a school for able-bodied children in 1990, she felt unfulfilled, as her heart longed for those in poverty.
Struggling with Religious Vows and Her Calling
Mother Oresoa dedicated 16 years to her congregation, while also reaching out to abandoned, impoverished individuals she encountered during her apostolic work. However, a vow of obedience limited her service to the congregation, against her spirit and calling. Despite adhering to the command with pain and sacrifice, her soul could not rest as she constantly saw the plight of the poor, particularly the street children and marginalized individuals, wherever she walked.
Leaving the Congregation to Fulfill Her Mission
Becoming Vicar General and Seeking Fulfillment
In 1992, Mother Oresoa was elected as Vicar General of her congregation. She continued to honor her religious vows, but her inner fulfillment remained elusive. She requested a leave of absence, which was denied, and subsequently requested a dispensation. On 26th October 1994, her dispensation was granted.
Spiritual Reflection and Vow to Serve the Poor
Before seeking dispensation, she underwent a period of reflection, including a one-month retreat with Rev. Fr. Paul Maher, a Jesuit priest. She also received counseling and prayers from the late Abbot Augustine, a monk at Benedicta Monastery, Ewu, Edo State. Despite these spiritual sessions, the call to serve the poor persisted.
A Divine Revelation to Serve the Poor
On her sickbed, she received a divine revelation, promising to dedicate her life to serving the poorest of the poor. She made a vow to God that she would care for and advocate for the destitute, offering them love, dignity, and a voice.
Practical Experience and Mission Expansion
Mentorship in Eastern Nigeria
After receiving her dispensation, Mother Oresoa traveled to Bende, Umuahia, and Imo State, where she received tutelage under Rosaline Conwell, an English woman who had served in Nigeria for 20 years, caring for the mentally ill and destitute. During her five-month mentorship, she gained invaluable hands-on experience in caring for marginalized individuals.
Expanding the Mission to Abuja
Armed with this practical experience, Mother Oresoa moved to Jabi Life Camp, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where she applied for a position at the Social Welfare Office in the Archdiocese of Abuja. Unfortunately, her application was rejected. Despite this setback, she found her calling by ministering to street children and homeless individuals in the developing areas around Area 1 Shopping Centre, Garki, which was then the hub of commerce and activity in Abuja.
Extending the Mission to Other States and Ghana
Her mission extended beyond the capital to other states, including Kaduna and Edo States. She also founded communities in Yendi Diocese, Ghana, to support alleged witches, and in Ayim, Ghana, to care for individuals with mental illnesses and those living in poverty.
Founding Organizations to Support the Mission
The Association for the Poorest of the Poor
For the past 28 years, Mother Oresoa has devoted her life to advocating for the rights and dignity of the poorest of the poor. She founded the Association for the Poorest of the Poor, a nonprofit organization supporting her mission.
Establishing the Missionary Servants and Sisters for the Poorest of the Poor
She also established the Missionary Servants and Sisters for the Poorest of the Poor to continue this vital work. Mother Oresoa is a living testament to the transformative power of love and compassion, and she remains an inspiration to all who believe in creating positive change in the world.
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