By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, was at the weekend honoured with knighthood by the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja, in Cross River State.
Other notable Nigerians honoured by the Catholic Church include: late General Anthony Ukpo, rtd, who was represented by another reputable lawyer in Cross River State, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN; and Dame Rita Kaka Bassey.
In addition to that, 10 eminent personalities were also honoured with the Gregorian Order as Knights and Dames of St Gregory (KSG), and they includes: Senator Prof. Sandy Onor, Col. Paul Edor Obi and Dr. Bob Eriom, amongst several others.
Ndoma-Egba was honoured as a Papal Knights and decorated as a Knight of St. Sylvester, KSS, at a ceremony that witnessed the investiture of the first set of Papal Knights of the Diocese in her 100 years of existence.
Two priests of the Diocese were also promoted to the rank of Monsignors. It was indeed it was a day of celebration by the Diocesan Bishop, His Lordship, Most Reverend Donatus Akpan and the parishioners of the St. Benedict’s Parish, Igoli, Ogoja.
Also elevated and decorated with medals of recognition for meritorious service to the church were the reverend sisters as a way of encouraging them to do more.
Ndoma-Egba expressed his profound gratitude to God and the Holy See, Pope Francis for finding his modest contributions to the church worthy of such an exhaulted recognition.
The former Senate Leader averred that he and other awardees have made history as the first Papal Knights of the Ogoja Diocese, stressing that the recognition is an encouragement to render more services to the church and humanity.
In a related development, the former parliamentarian showed appreciation to God Almighty with a thanksgiving mass that took place at The Holy Family Parish in Ikom, his home parish.
Delivering his homily at the thanksgiving mass, the visiting priest, Rev. Fr. Bob Etta, admonished the congregation not to relent in conducting their lives with the fear of God.
The cleric lauded the two new Papal Knights, Senator Ndoma-Egba, SAN, KSS and Dr. Bob Eriom, KSG, for remembering to celebrate with their home parishioners.
Reacting to Rev. Fr. Etta’s admonition, Ndoma-Egba regaled the congregation with tales of his little beginnings in the Holy Family Parish, both as a mass servant and a chorister.
The mass, which was supervised by the Holy Family Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Joe-Godwin Ojorgu, and also had Rev. Fr. Malachy Ephraim of St. Charles Lwanga Parish, Calabar in attendance.
Amongst the congregation were family members and friends of the new knights, including: Prof. Rowland Ndoma-Egba and his wife; CP Lawrence Alobi, rtd; Prof. Cyril Ndifon and his wife; Mr. Joseph Oru; Dr. Bassey Ibor, among others.
