The First African Church Mission Ngwa Central Diocese Performs First Knighthood Investiture

 

The First African Church Mission Ngwa Central Diocese Performs First Knighthood Investiture
… Decorates Chief Mrs. Rose Ahukanna, Sir Engr. Cyril Chinonso Ishmael, Others

History was made at The First African Church Mission, Ngwa Central Diocese following the First Knighthood Investiture and Conferment of the Diocesan Ambassador of Christ Award on some well-deserving members of the Church in appreciation of their immense contributions to the growth of the Church and society at large.

The epoch-making event held at St. Silas Cathedral Obikabia Nnanji in Isiala Ngwa North local government area of Abia State on Sunday, August 4, 2024 amidst joy and thanksgiving to the Almighty God.

The Cathedral was filled to the brim with the presence of the parishioners, Knight-designates, Awardees of the Diocesan Ambassador for Christ, family members, relatives, in-laws, friends and distinguished guests from far and near.

It commenced with the usual Church Service after which the Diocesan Ambassador of Christ awardees and Knight-designates filed out to be decorated.

In his sermon, the Bishop of The First African Church (Ngwa Central Diocese), the Rt. Revd. Samuel Ositadinma Nwachigoziri Daniel reminded them that Knighthood is a call to service as well as the Diocesan Ambassador of Christ Award.

He charged them to be a shining example for others, to be upright in all their ways and to sustain their faith in the Lord.

He described them as Soldiers of the Cross and told them to defend the Christian Faith adding that their investiture as Knights and Ambassadors of Christ respectively is a way of encouraging them to do more in the Lord’s vineyard and the society.

He extolled them for their immense contributions to the development of the Church and prayed God to continue to bless and honour them.

He also called on others to emulate them by using their God-giving talent and resources to serve God.

Thereafter, they were decorated by Archbishop Dr. Ogbonnaya Christian John with unprecedented pomp starting with the Diocesan Ambassador of Christ Awardees followed by the Knight-designates.

The Diocesan Ambassador of Christ Awardees included Loveday Uchenna Ishmael, Pastor Chris Nwatu and Ubochi Fortunatus Chidiadi while Chief Mrs. Rose Ahukanna (Ezigbo Nne), Engr. Cyril Chinonso Ishmael and Hon. Ugochukwu Kingsley Enyinnaya were decorated as knights.

Thereafter, they appreciated the Church one after the other for the honour done them and promised that it would ginger them to render more services to God and humanity.

At the end, all roads led to the palatial country home of Sir Engr. Cyril Chinonso Ishmael for an unforgettable reception.

The legendary philanthropist, chemical/petrochemical engineer and USA naval officer treated the mammoth guests with sumptuous cuisines and choice drinks.

The people were satisfied and full of praises for him as a man of the people and a born-giver.

According to them his generosity knows no bounds. Apart from his immense contributions to the development of the church, especially the on-going renovation of St. Silas Cathedral, Obikabia Nnanji in Isiala Ngwa North local government area, he is committed to youth educational development and poverty reduction of his people and others.

He has registered over two thousand (2000) indigenes of Obikabia in Isiala Ngwa North local government area for both WAEC and NECO Examinations in the past four years.

 

In a chat with newsmen, Archbishop Dr. Ogbonnaya Christian John, the new Knights, Ambassadors of Christ Awardees and others bared their minds on the event and other sundry issues. Excerpts.

Sir, let us meet you.
My name is Archbishop Dr. Ogbonnaya Christian John. I hail from Obikabia in Isiala Ngwa North local government area. I am The First African Church Mission Bishop of Ahoada and the Archbishop of Orashi.

Can you tell us the significance of Knighthood?
First, let me correct a wrong impression about knighthood. In the past people used to say that knighthood is a cult. It is never a cult. I do not know what happens in other denominations. But I am talking about The First African Church Mission. Our knights are not cultists. They are Christians. They are Defenders of the Christian Faith and the weak. They are the men we honour so that they can help the Church in one way or the other.

What qualifies one to be a Knight?
He must be a man of one wife. He must be a born-again Christian. He must understand the word of God and live by it.

What is your message to the new Knights?
I charge them like John the Baptist to bear fruit worthy of their repentance. The Bible says that we are the light and the salt of the world. So let them live a life that the world would see and say of a truth that they are Christians.

What is your advice to the nation in this time of hunger and anger?                             Protest is not bad. But based on what we used to observe in the past our fear is that hoodlums would hijack it and cause problem. So I want to urge the people to be peaceful and law-abiding as they protest.

The Igbo people did not join the protest. What do you have to say about it?
I think the Igbo people have been hurt enough. We have been disappointed a lot and we have seen that at the end of any protest in the nation our people are treated as the hoodlums. I think, it wise if they did not participate.

Chief Mrs. Dame Rose Ahukanna

I have another great joy in my life today. The joy that makes me to believe that whatever God wants you to be must come to pass. From the little I can recall during my tender age I know that I have always been what God wanted me to be. So today is another great day in my life and my family. My Knighthood is going to bring God’s numerous blessings in my life, my family and the entire Body of Christ. I appreciate The First African Church Mission Ngwa Central Diocese for the honour done me and I promise that it would continue to motivate me to do more in the vineyard of God and society at large.

 

Sir Engr. Cyril Chinonso Ishmael

I hail from Obikabia in Isiala Ngwa North local government area of Abia State. I am a member of The First African Church Mission. I am very, very happy for the honour done me and so grateful to God for sustaining us to this point where we can now contribute back to the society. So for me, this is not just a recognition but a call to serve. It is a call to continue to contribute more to the Church and society at large. So I accept that responsibility with gladness. You know the Bible says train up a child the way he should grow and when he grows up, he will not depart from it. I was born and raised to serve in the Church. And that is what I will continue to do till the rest of my life. My Knighthood is only an encouragement to continue serving God. And serving God faithfully has numerous rewards. We did not make ourselves. The universe is well organized. The day comes and the night comes. The sun shines and the rain falls. It could not have just happened by accident. There is a Supreme Being who is behind all these wonderful things. He is the Almighty God and our Maker. So for those who do not take the service of God serious I want to encourage them to start doing so because He is the reason why we are alive. So it is important that we give Him all our best.

Loveday Uchenna Ishmael

I am the first son of late Chief Ishmael Okechukwu Ahukanna of Umuezindu, Amawom, Obikabia Nnanji Autonomous Community in Isiala Ngwa North local government area of Abia State. I am the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gen-X Press Limited, one of the leading names in Printing in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I feel so happy and highly honoured for what God has done for me. I say may His name be glorified. I thank the Church for appreciating my contributions to the development of The First African Church Mission, St. Silas Cathedral Obikabia in Isiala Ngwa North local government area. I encourage others, especially the youth to come and serve God. The Bible says, remember your Creator in the days of your youth. That is the end of the matter. Whatever any person is doing without remembering God-our Creator is in vain. People should devote their lives to God, keep their hands clean in whatever they do and then have the mind to help the Church and those in need. I think these are some of the things that would encourage others to serve God.

Chukwuma Ishmael

I am the Managing Director of Enyimba People’s Company Limited. I am happy because of the knighthood of my mother and my brother today. It is a great honour. My prayer is that many other good things would continue to happen in our family. As the church has recognized them today, they should follow the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ and be a shining example for others both in the church and society at large. Charity begins at home. My mother brought us up well in the way of God and I know that she would continue with her good deeds and godly devotion. I believe there is something special the church saw in her and my brother that made them to honour them. They would not disappoint us, the church and society. We are happy and proud of them. And I pray that God would grant our mother long life.