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Dr. Dan Anaebo Okekenta |
Reported By A Citizen
Reporter
There is
palpable celebration in the Catholic Church of Nigeria over the election of Dr.
Dan Anaebo Okekenta, from Enugu-Agidi, Anambra state, as an Executive Director
of the Supreme Board of the respected Catholic body, the Knights of St. John
International (KSJI).
In the
convention and election took place in the city of Buffalo, upstate New York,
USA, July ending, Okekenta, a rising star of the Catholic Church in Nigeria,
was also re-elected a Second Vice - President of the Noble world body which has
existed since the tenth century AD. He also holds the rank of Lt. General in
KSJI, which is a military, social and religious Order.
In a news
release, Sir Tony Eluemunor, who holds the rank of Captain in the Order and is
a KSJI Media Aide to Lt. General Okekenta, said that while Nigerian delegates
rejoiced for the honour whichOkekenta, who was elected unopposed, did to
Nigeria, they also bemourned the fact that the 2016 Convention was to have held
in Nigeria, instead of the USA. KSJI international had proposed years ago to
hold its convention in Nigeria, but the insecurity in the land prevented it.
Nigeria’s loss became USA’s gain as 18 thousand KSJI delegates convened in
Buffalo for a week, instead of Abuja, and poured money into the local economy
through hotel accommodation, restaurant, transportation and shopping
expenditures.
Welcoming the
Knights to the 80th International Convention, the Governor of the
State of New York, Mr. Andrew M. Cuomo, said that since the Order was
incorporated in the State in 1886, it has been “known for outstanding charitableefforts
and civic involvement that have both local and far-reaching impacts”. He
charged them to “advance their shared history of furthering the ideals of the
Roman Catholic faith – the ideals of charity, hope and fraternity – and to look
ahead to all that you will continue to do for your communities.”
Also, the
Bishop of Buffalo Diocese, Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, thanked the Order
and the Ladies Auxiliary, for their “on-going generosity and dedication; your
support for the Church truly upholds the principles for which you stand, promoting
charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism”.
The Theme of
the Conference, “Never Give Up On God’s Mercy” reflected the Catholic Church’s
declaration of 2016 as the “Year of Mercy”.
Okenkenta thanked
God for the honour the election brought to, the Catholic Church and Nigeria and
prayed that God will give him the grace to meet the Order’s high expectations.
He said the election is a further call to the service of humanity, the Church
and God.
The Order of
the Knights of St. John International carries out numerous charity and
humanitarian services globally. In
Nigeria the Order has been aiding prisoners, the sick and the elderly, victims
of terrorist attacks, especially the displaced persons in camps and the
generally less privileged; providing food, clothing, medicament, money, etc.
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