Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia is scheduled to receive a Golden Ambassador Award on Friday at the 50th-anniversary colloquium and award day of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and its Ladies’ Auxiliary in Nigeria.
The ceremony, one of the major events marking 50 years of the organization in Nigeria, will take place at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Durumi, Abuja.
The organizers expect dignitaries from government, business, religion and academia, NewsQuest gathered.
The President of the Knights of St. John International in Nigeria, Sir Chuks Amamgbo, said the anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on the organization’s history and honor those who supported its work.
“We are grateful to God for the opportunity to celebrate this landmark and use the opportunity to appreciate those who have supported us and those who believe in our ideals and the principles upon which we stand,” he said.
Amamgbo said the organization would also recognize its founding fathers and others who contributed to its growth.
He said Gov. Alia had been part of that success story.
“We intend to also use this opportunity to remember, appreciate and recognize those who have been part of our success story, and Rev. Fr. Alia happens to be part of it,” he said.
Speaking, Lady Nonye Okafor, the Supreme Subordinate Ladies’ Auxiliary President, said Gov. Alia would be honored alongside several prominent Nigerians during the Golden Jubilee celebration.
She said they include Sir Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide; Prof. Obiora Okonkwo of United Nigeria Airlines; Prof. Epiphany Azinge, the 14th Asagba of Asaba; and Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.
In a congratulatory message, Gov. Alia said he was humbled by the award and accepted it with gratitude.
“I am particularly humbled and deeply honoured by the conferment of the prestigious Golden Jubilee Ambassador Award, which I receive with profound gratitude,” he said.
“This recognition further strengthens my commitment to the service of God and humanity,” Alia added.
The Knights of St. John International is a fraternal organization charged with defending the Christian faith as presented by the Catholic Church, under the supervision of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.
The organization, he concluded, has operated in Nigeria since 1976.
