The quiet countryside of Baldershwang in the Diocese of Augsburg, Germany, was agog with activities from 3rd - 6th May, 2024, as the World Family of Radio Maria held her 2024 international Mariathon at Radio Horeb (Radio Maria in Germany). The Mariathon is an annual activity of Radio Maria held in all Radio Maria stations across the world in the month of May, with the World Family – the umbrella body of all Radio Maria stations in the world – organizing the international Mariathon, which focuses on international needs of the radio. During Mariathon, all Radio Maria stations across the world engage in intense missionary and pastoral activities; it is also a time for major fundraising activities to support the work of the Radio. In the 2024 international Mariathon which held in Germany, special focus was on the spread of the Radio in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries.

Among the international participants at the Mariathon were Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Kaduna Archdiocese and Revd. Fr. Sylvanus E. Ameh, the Director of Radio Maria, Abuja and National Director of Radio Maria, Nigeria. Speaking at the opening Mass of the Mariathon in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Baldershwangon 4th May, 2024, Archbishop Ngadoso acknowledged and appreciated the uniqueness of Radio Maria and the very important role it plays in the spread of the gospel especially to people in rural communities and those affected by the waves of terrorism in Nigeria. He acknowledged the fact that with Radio Maria, it is possible for such people not to lose touch with their faith and to be encouraged to stay steadfast. The Archbishop also shared the experience of the increased growth of the Catholic faith among the African people. He appreciated the German people whose contributions made it possible to have Radio Maria in Nigeria and more specifically, in Kaduna Archdiocese.

On various on-air programs at the studios of Radio Horeb, Archbishop Ndagoso and Fr. Ameh spoke on various subjects bordering on the Nigerian church, the experiences with Radio Maria in Nigeria so far, the need for greater support from the German people and the World Family of Radio Maria, the beauty of solidarity among Catholics, the challenges experienced by Christians in Nigeria and the prospects of Radio Maria in Nigeria. They also made appeals for financial donations from the listeners of Radio Horeb, to which there was tremendous response.

On their part, the Director of Radio Horeb, Rev. Fr. Richard Kocher and the World President of Radio Maria, Mr. Vittorio Viccardi pledged continuous collaboration and support for Radio Maria in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. According to Fr. Kocher, the vision of Radio Horeb is to raise sufficient funds for the World Family of Radio Maria to set up stations in all the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa by the year 2030. As of present, Radio Maria is present in twenty eight countries of Africa.