The Missionary and his Mission: Fr Carlo Zappa SMA (1861-1917)

The Missionary and his Mission: Carlo Zappa presents one of the most fascinating characters in the missionary history of Nigeria: Rev. Fr. Carlo Zappa (SMA), Prefect of the Upper Niger Prefecture (1861-1917). Besides playing a key role in the development of modern day Nigeria, Zappa's mission produced the first indigenous priest from the SMA missions in West Africa. Basing his research on several archive sources, the book describes the life and works of the first Catholic missionary to settle in Asaba, Nigeria, the tasks faced and challenges conquered by this intrepid missionary, writer, cartographer and polyglot. The book not only unveils this period in history to the eyes of the reader but also forms the foundation for further research in this period of the history of the Church in Nigeria.  Ifeanyi Sylvester Ogboh was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1980. He has a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering and a doctorate degree in Sacred Theology (specializing in Church History) from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. Ordained a priest in 2015, he currently teaches and works as the chaplain of Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.