Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia will on tomorrow receive a Golden Ambassador Award at the 50th anniversary Colloquium and Award Day of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and Ladies’ Auxiliary in Nigeria.
The ceremony is one of the major events lined up to commemorate 50 years of KSJI in Nigeria which is expected to attract dignitaries from various walks of life.
The event will take place at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Durumi Abuja.
Speaking ahead of the event the Supreme Subordinate President of KSJI Nigeria Sir Chuks Amamgbo expressed gratitude to God for the milestone noting that the anniversary provides an opportunity for reflection and national engagement.
‘We are grateful to God for the opportunity to celebrate this landmark. And use the opportunity to appreciate those who had supported us and those who believe in our ideals and the principles upon which we stand.’ he said.
Amamgbo said: ‘We are appreciative of our founding fathers for the wisdom and courage in bringing the Order of Knights of St. John International to Nigeria. We intend to also use this opportunity to remember appreciate and recognise those who have been part of our success story and Rev Fr Alia happens to be part of it.’
According to the Supreme Subordinate Ladies’ Auxiliary President Lady Nonye Okafor Alia a friend of KSJI will be among the prominent Nigerians who will be honoured during the Golden Jubilee celebration.
Others include Sir Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide Prof Obiora Okonkwo of United Airlines and Prof Epiphany Azinge the 14th Asagba of Asaba His Grace Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.
In his congratulatory message Rev Fr Alia appreciated KSJI for the honour of bestowing him with the Golden Jubilee Ambassador Award.
According to him ‘I am particularly humbled and deeply honoured by the conferment of the prestigious Golden Jubilee Ambassador Award which I receive with profound gratitude. This recognition further strengthens my commitment to the service of God and humanity’.
KSJI is a fraternal organization charged with the defense of the Christian faith as presented by the Catholic Church under the supervision of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria(CBCN). They have been in existence in Nigeria since 1976.