56 initiated into Anglican Knighthood as Bishop Ibezim eulogises Prof Nwamara

By Lawrence Nwimo

No fewer than 56 individuals were initiated into the knighthood of the Anglican Communion by the Archbishop ecclesiastical Province of the Niger, His Grace, Most Revd. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD.

The ninth investiture took place at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka, the Anambra State capital on Saturday.

Thirty individuals were initiated into the knight of St. Paul, another twenty-five were invested into knight of St. Christopher, while two others secured their place in the Lady of Bethel of the Anglican Communion.

Among the individuals initiated into the knighthood include veteran Nollywood actor, Bob Manuel Udokwu; Former Anambra House of Assembly Speaker, Chief Anayo Nnebe and Professor Alvan-Ikoku Nwamara.

Others are Traditional Ruler of Awba-Ofemmili, Igwe Ezekwesili Maduagwuna; Dike Stephen, a developer, Mr. Uche Umeokafor,.aka Akuomachukwu, Ngozi Obikili and Ifeoma Chuks-Okafor.

Inducting the new knights, Archbishop Ibezim who doubles as the Bishop of Awka Diocese charged the new members to work for the propagation of Gospel and the growth of God’s kingdom.

In his sermon, Archbishop of Aba and Bishop of Isiala-Ngwa South, Most Revd. Isaac Nwaobia reminded the new knights need to uphold good christian virtues, having been made ambassadors of Christ. He also admonished them to use their various endeavors to propagate gospel of the Lord and for the growth of Christianity.

“You have been empowered to do God’s work. Your being a knight is not for personal aggrandizement. As an ecclesiastical Knight, you must accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour to have power to fight the enemy of the Church.”

While Nwobia emphasized that knighthood comes with bigger responsibility, he encouraged the knights to remain steadfast in their service to God and humanity and work for the growth of church.

Also at the event, Bishop Ibezim was full of praises for Professor Alvan-Ikoku Nwamara, one of the new knights who is the immediate past Head of Music Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and leader and founder of UNIZIK Band.

The Professor of Music was among the 30 individuals who were initiated into the knights of St. Paul of the Awka Diocese and delivered a wonderful musical performance; leading the team of St Faith choir and his music band, Vocomotion crew, to an outstanding choral performance.

Vocomotion crew is product of Prof Nwamara and had won laurels for their endearing Choral, Band and Orchestral musical performances in various places.

Before his Knighthood on Saturday, the 46 year old was on the record as the first Professor of Music in Abia State and presently the youngest Professor of music in Nigeria and by extension, West Africa.

He is currently the Chairman Committee on ANIM History, Association of Nigerian Musicologists (ANIM), Editor-in-Chief, Society of Music Educators of Nigeria (SOMEN) and West African Sub Regional Sec Gen Pan African Society of Musical Arts Education (PASMAE).

In their appreciation after their investiture, Sir Uchenna Ogochukwu Umeokafor and his wife Lady Ifeoma Lilian Umeokafor expressed gratitude to Archbishop Ibezim for finding them worthy of the investiture as knights of the Church.

At the reception venue at Don Ritze Hotels Event Hall Udoka Housing Estate Awka, friends and well wishers of Sir and Lady Umeokafor were entertained lavishly.

Sir Umeokafor speaks English and German fluently.