By Zika Bobby
Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, will deliver the keynote address at the 50th anniversary colloquium of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and Ladies’ Auxiliary in Nigeria on October 24, 2026.
The colloquium, one of the major activities marking five decades of the Catholic organisation in Nigeria, will take place at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, beginning at 3 p.m.
With the theme “50 Years of Faith, Knighthood and Service,” the event will examine the Order’s contributions to religious and social development, its institutional legacy and contemporary national challenges.
Speaking ahead of the event, Supreme Subordinate President of KSJI Nigeria, Chuks Amamgbo, described the golden jubilee as an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s achievements and consider its responsibilities to the country.
“We are grateful to God for the opportunity to celebrate this landmark. It provides a platform not only to evaluate our Order but also to assess the state of the nation and proffer solutions,” Amamgbo said.
The colloquium will feature discussions by prominent personalities drawn from the judiciary, business, politics and other sectors.
They include former Anambra State governorship candidate, Paul Chukwuma; Managing Director of Gasstocks Limited, Emmanuel Okene; senior advocate Alex Ejesieme; retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili; and financial consultant Beatrice Akanji.
The public lecture will be followed by a dinner and awards ceremony recognising individuals who have contributed to the growth of the Order and society.
Supreme Subordinate President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, Nonye Okafor, said the awards would particularly acknowledge the contributions of the organisation’s founding fathers and other distinguished personalities.
According to Chairman of the KSJI Strategic Communication Committee, Peter Osamgbi, those listed for recognition include President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso; Kenneth Ifekudu; Gabriel Igbinedion; Peter Odili; Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah; and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Other awardees include former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi; Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Adaora Umeoji-Nwokoye; Bonna Ugwuja and Ikenna Chukwueke.
Posthumous awards will also be conferred on Dominic Cardinal Ekandem and Bishop Godfrey Okoye in recognition of their contributions.
Amamgbo disclosed that the year-long golden jubilee celebration would conclude with a grand finale in Enugu, the Nigerian headquarters of KSJI, from December 3 to 6, 2026.
Activities scheduled for the finale include a musical concert, the release of a specially composed anniversary song, the presentation of a commemorative coffee-table book and a grand thanksgiving Mass.
The celebrations are intended to commemorate the Order’s 50 years of presence in Nigeria and recognise individuals and institutions associated with its development.