The Anglican Bishop of Umuahia diocese, the RT Reverend Geoffrey Obiajuru Bishop Ibeabuchi has charged members honoured with knight of Saint Christopher to remain good ambassadors of the church.
Bishop Ibeabuchi gave the charge during the investiture of knights and ladies at Saint Stephen’s Anglican Cathedral Umuahia. He said it is the custom of the church to honour men that put their lives to the service of God, the church and humanity.
According to Ibeabuchi, the fifty knights were men and women who have shown exemplary qualities in their leadership in their commitment to God and the fellowship of the church.
He added “we didn’t just honour them, but to thank God for what they have done already and to encourage them to do more, the need to serve God more, as they don’t need to retire. We have encouraged them into more fruitful services to the Lord and humanity”.
Ibeabuchi who disclosed that the investiture was his first as the Anglican Bishop of Umuahia diocese, described the knights as the defenders of the Christian faith, adding that in times of this hard economy in Nigeria, they are expected to be fair, just and defend the weak and also uphold the standards of Christianity wherever that are found, in the Church, community, family and work place so that the wickedness in the land today will look up to them and see that God is using them as His vessels to turn situations around.
In a homily, the Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Kabba, Kogi State, Rt Reverend Dr Steven Kayode urged Christians to stand for righteousness no matter the challenges on their way.
Speaking on the topic of the occasion “Appointed for Godly Exploit” drawn from Jeremiah chapter 1, verse 4 to 10, Bishop Kayode called on the knights to make themselves available for true righteousness, goodwill, as well have good encounter with God and not to shy away from the responsibilities bestowed on them.
According to him, the knights as soldiers of Christ were chosen to embrace God more and added that those trusted with God’s work should do away with procrastination and other sinful acts that may tarnish their relationship with God.
He reminded them to uproot any evil planted around them for the kingdom of God to flourish. The priest maintained that knighthood is meant to be a fellowship of people sharing love and not a cult.
However, the Bishop of Umuahia diocese, Ibeabuchi who presided during the knight investiture, also charged them to emulate the good virtues of Saint Christopher which he affirmed was known for integrity.
Some of the knights including, Sir Ezinwa Nwaobiala, the accountant general of Abia State, Sir Kelechi Imeoria, the church registrar and chief magistrate Umuchieze magistrate court, Dame Juliet Orie Rex Chikezie, Dame Annabelle Ukaonu, as well as an old servant in knighthood, Sir Maduakolam Adighibe noted that the investiture is a call to greater service and to serve God to the best of their knowledge.
They added that the award of knighthood will spur them to assist the church in evangelism and human development.
They also thanked the church for the elevation and encouraged Christians as well as women to live their lives according to God’s direction.
