Korede Akintunde in ENUGU — The Anglican Diocese of Nike, under the episcopal leadership of The Rt. Revd. Dr. Christian O. Onyia, held a prestigious and solemn Investiture Service of 29 Men and Women into the Order of Knighthood of St. Cristopher, (KSC) on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
The event, which took place at the St. Andrew’s Basilica in Hillview Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, brought together clergy, family members, friends and distinguished guests to witness the admission of new soldiers of Christ into the order.
Delivering a powerful sermon centered on the responsibilities of the modern-day knight, Archbishop of Kaduna Province and the Bishop of Kaduna Diocese, The Most Rev’d Dr. Timothy Yahaya emphasized that the knighthood is not merely a title of social prestige but a call to sacrificial service and a commitment to defending the Christian faith. He urged the candidates to be “light in a world of darkness” and to uphold the integrity of the Church through their conduct and philanthropy.
Archbishop Yahaya noted that Christian honor is inseparable from Christian duty adding that the investiture into the Order of Knights of St. Christopher stands as a call to higher responsibility, reminding recipients that knighthood in the Church is not about prestige, but about sacrifice, discipline, loyalty and visible commitment to defend the Gospel of Christ.
The highlights of the service included:
- The Vows: Candidates stood before the altar to take solemn oaths, pledging their loyalty to Christ, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), and the Diocese of Nike.
- The Accolade: Following the tradition of the Church, the Bishop performed the formal investiture, symbolizing the transition of the candidates into the knighthood.
- The Presentation of Symbols: New knights were presented with the symbols of their office, including the sword, the Bible, and the spurs, each representing different facets of their spiritual duty—protection of the weak, adherence to the Word of God, and readiness to serve.
The Basilica was filled with a sense of reverence and celebration. The liturgical music provided by the diocesan choir added to the grandeur of the occasion. In attendance were prominent figures from the Enugu State community and representatives from various sister dioceses within the Province of Enugu.
In his closing remarks, Bishop Onyia reminded the newly minted knights that their work begins outside the walls of the Cathedral. He charged them to be active participants in the mission of the Diocese, supporting evangelical outreaches and social welfare programs aimed at the less privileged in Enugu and beyond.
The event was broadcast live by ACNN TV and shared across social media platforms, allowing the global Anglican community to participate in the spiritual milestone.
