Immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has been awarded the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester, Pope and Marty. This is “in appreciation for his good work and personification of sound Christian principles in public service and his fruitful collaboration with the Church,” Obi’s media aide Valentine Obienyem said in a statement issued yesterday.

The Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester, Pope and Marty order is one of five Orders of Knighthood awarded directly by the Pope as Supreme Pontiff and head of the Catholic Church and as Head of State of the Vatican City.

Obi’s investiture will take place today at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka. “Many Bishops and priests are expected at a pontifical mass to mark the event,” according to Obienyem.

The award is usually on the recommendation of the Papal Nuncio or the recipient’s Diocesan Bishop, but “in Obi’s case, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, is usually a call for greater service to the Church and humanity is associated with great privileges and dignity,” Obienyem said.

He disclosed that though the award was granted by Pope Francis 1 to Mr. Peter Obi on July 31, 2013, he delayed the investiture, preferring that it should be done after he had left office in line with his belief that honours and dignities that are not time-bound are better granted after one leaves office to allow for more objective assessment of the person.

Congratulating Obi on the award, Most Rev Dr Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, described it as an honour most deserving. He said that Obi as the governor of Anambra State was able to deliver democracy dividends to the 177 communities in the state and rehabilitated a whole lot of schools and hospitals, even building new ones. He recalled that Obi returned schools to their original owners, the Church, adding that Obi’s foresightedness placed Anambra State where it was today.

Bishop Ezeokafor disclosed that the recommendation to the Supreme Pontiff was borne out of Obi’s humble disposition and the great role he played in dislodging people of questionable character from the state, return of school to the churches and for ensuring that Ndi Anambra remained the pace setters both in education and commerce.

On his part, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, His Lordship Most Rev Hilary Odili Okeke, described Obi’s papal knight award as simply “great, awesome and deserving.”

Obi will be honoured with his Commissioner for Works, Arc. Callistus Ilozumba, who will receive the same award.

•Photo shows Peter Obi with Pope Francis 1 during one of the ex-governor’s visits to the Vatican.

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