The Awgu Diocesan Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria has elected Rt. Hon. Chevalier Ben Eche as its new President, alongside Rt. Hon. Chevalier Uchenna Cyril Anioke, who has been appointed as the Publicity Secretary.
The election took place at Buckley Hall, Bishop’s Court Awgu, under the supervision of the Vicar General of the Diocese, Rev. Fr Jacob Okoye. The event saw a considerable turnout of Papal award recipients.
Papal orders of knighthood, also termed Pontifical orders, are prestigious honours conferred by the Pope, recognising individuals for their significant contributions to the Catholic Church. These distinctions are granted under the Pope’s authority as the head of the Holy See and sovereign of Vatican City. Notably, awards such as the Order of Saint Gregory and the Order of Saint Sylvester are typically based on recommendations from diocesan bishops, with the support of the apostolic nuncio, culminating in the final approval from the Holy See.
On September 29, 2023, the Catholic Bishop of Awgu Diocese, Most Rev. John Ifeanyichukwu Okoye, represented Pope Francis in conferring knighthood and medals upon distinguished sons and daughters of the diocese.
In his acceptance speech, RHC Ben Eche expressed profound gratitude for the trust placed in him by his fellow Papal awardees. He described the accolade as an invitation to greater service and committed to working diligently with the executive team to enhance the faith and spiritual development of both members and the wider Christian community.
Likewise, the new Publicity Secretary, Rt. Hon. Chevalier Uchenna Cyril Anioke, encouraged members to actively fulfil their responsibilities. He assured them of his dedication to ensuring that the association’s activities are effectively publicised, with the aim of upholding the principles and doctrines of the Catholic Church.
Earlier, Rev. Fr Jacob Okoye congratulated the newly elected awardees for their honour, highlighting that they had undergone more than three years of thorough scrutiny and investigation prior to receiving papal approval for their awards.
Fr Jacob also urged the awardees to serve as worthy ambassadors of the Diocese and the Church in both their private and public lives.
In addition to Eche and Anioke, other elected leaders include Vice President RH Dame Roseline Chukwuonwe, Secretary RHC Innocent Aniobi, Assistant Secretary Rev. Sr. Ebubechukwu Chifomma, Treasurer RH Dame Anastasia Nzeka, Financial Secretary RH Dame Justina Ikpenwa, and Ex Officio members RHC Mathew Ude and RH Igwe Benedict Eze.
This new leadership has pledged to further the mission of the association in promoting faith and service within the diocese and the body of Christ as a whole.
