The Knight of St. John International and Ladies Auxiliary, Supreme Subordinate Nigeria, has honoured Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, former Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, former Rivers State governor, Dr Peter Odili and others with the Golden Jubilee Ambassador Award.
The awards have been conferred on them throughout the Order’s fiftieth anniversary celebration in Nigeria, marked with a Golden Jubilee Anniversary Colloquium, Award and Dinner in Abuja, not too long ago.
The occasion, with the theme: “50 Years of Faith, Knighthood and Service in Nigeria,” was chaired by former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, who was represented by Sir Alex Ejesieme (SAN).
The visitor speaker was His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, CON.
The celebration was led by the Supreme Subordinate President, Maj-Gen. Chuks Amamgbo.
In his remarks, Governor Alia congratulated the Supreme Subordinate Commandery and Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI), Nigeria, on the historic event.
Alia described 50 years of steadfast dedication to God, the Catholic Church and humanity as a outstanding milestone worthy of celebration.
“Fifty years of steadfast commitment to God, the Catholic Church and humanity is a remarkable milestone worthy of celebration. I commend the Order for its enduring legacy of faith, discipline, charity and selfless service,” the Governor acknowledged.
Governor Alia mentioned he was significantly humbled and deeply honoured by the conferment of the celebrated Golden Jubilee Ambassador Award, which he acquired with profound gratitude.
He famous that the popularity additional strengthens his dedication to the service of God and humanity.
“As you celebrate this historic milestone, I pray that Almighty God continues to bless, guide and strengthen the Order for greater accomplishments in the years ahead,” he added.
He concluded: “Congratulations on 50 glorious years of faithful service!”
In her remarks, the Supreme Second Vice President, Ladies Auxiliary, Knight of St. John International, Noble Sister Irene Mgbaja Chingwe, mentioned the Order has been a serious pillar and contributor to the expansion and sustenance of the Catholic Church in Nigeria within the final 50 years.
She mentioned the Knight of St. John International and the Ladies Auxiliary are unfold throughout the nation and have been very supportive of the Church.
“Knight of St. John International and the Ladies Auxiliary have been a big contributor to the running of the Catholic Church in Nigeria. We have it in the north, in the west, in the east and in the south,” she mentioned.
“Every year we give huge support to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to help them in the charity work of the Catholic Church. And in various parishes where Knight of St. John is situated, we contribute so much to the running of the Church.”
She disclosed that in her tenure as President, the Order sponsored over 600 {couples} for mass marriage ceremony, initiated ability acquisition programmes and championed welfare programmes for members.
She added that the present management is constructing on that legacy.
“Two weeks ago, we had an empowerment programme in Agbor where we empowered over 100 vulnerable men and women. The current Supreme Subordinate President has done so much since she came into office – empowerment, skill acquisition, support for widows and the vulnerable,” she mentioned.
She mentioned charity stays the principle instrument of the Order, guided by its motto of affection for all.
“We look into the grassroots. We look out for sisters and brothers who are very vulnerable, who cannot pay bills. The current President is doing very well in ensuring every sister is on the same level with others.”
On the state of the nation, Chingwe known as for collective effort and inclusiveness, particularly to deal with hardship and insecurity.
She mentioned the Order now has over 10,000 brothers and over 8,000 sisters in Nigeria, with deliberate growth into rural areas to make conferences accessible and to scale back safety dangers related to long-distance journey.
“We move into rural areas so that someone in the village does not have to travel far to attend meetings. We open auxiliaries and commanderies in rural areas so they will touch lives in that area,” she mentioned.
Earlier, the Chairman of the event, Obong Victor Attah, represented by Sir Alex Ejesieme, SAN, mentioned the fiftieth anniversary ought to be greater than a celebration, however a second for reflection on the long run relevance and influence of the Order.
“What have we done for the Church in the last 50 years? To be relevant is to be indispensable. The Church and the nation should feel our absence if we cease to exist,” he mentioned.
He recalled that in 1976 when the Order was delivered to Nigeria, it was mentioned on the CBCN plenary: “If this Order is of God, it will stand.”
“Today, we are celebrating 50 years of Knight of St. John International in Nigeria. It is of God, yes, in the affirmative. That trial that was given 50 years ago, we have survived it,” he acknowledged.
He famous that whereas the Order got here to Africa in 1933 by way of Ghana, and Liberia in 1952, Nigeria now has the biggest membership within the area and has turn out to be the vanguard of the Order in Africa.
He charged members to be exemplary in character, noting that society judges the Church by their conduct, and urged them to arrange cadets and juniors who will rejoice the centenary.
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