Jackson Obaseki, 19 Others Conferred With Papal Knighthood

Benin City, the capital of Edo State was agog recently following the investiture of Papal Knighthood of St. Gregory the Great on the former Group Managing Director, Dr. Jackson Gaius Obaseki, and 19 others by the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis.
Others who received similar honours were Fedinand Orbih, SAN,  Andrew Agenmonmen, Johnson Aghedo, Richard Iyasere, Michael Enaboifoh and Patrick Ezeli.
Also invested were Agatha Agenmonmen, Clementina Aghedo Dorothy IKheloa, Florence Eweka and Patricia Uujamhan as Dames of St. Gregory The Great.
Others conferred with Knighthood of St. Sylvester The Pope included Godwin Osayande, Cyril Onyema, Joseph Iduozee, Joe Acha, Andrew Egonmwan and Albert Ikheloa
While Betty Igbeyi, Helen Lola-Ebuekj were invested with Dames of St. Sylvester The Pope.
Dignitaries who came to witness the ceremony includes, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, represented by his wife, Betsy; Edo State deputy governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu and his wife, Maryann; former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke; and former Governor of Edo State and National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
Others present are: former NBA President, Augustine Alegeh, SAN; the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; former Minister of Defence, Major-Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd); and former deputy governor of Edo State and CoS to President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe among others.
Investing the candidates at St. Paul’s Catholic Cathedral, Benin City, the  Pontiff, Pope Francis who was represented by the Archbishop of Benin Metropolitan See, His Grace, Augustine Obiora Akubeze, said the investiture on the recipients was in recognition of their selfless service to God and humanity.
He said: “These Christian men and women have been honoured by the Holy Father with the knighthood and Dames of St. Gregory The Great; knighthood and Dames of St. Sylvester The Pope.”
High point of the ceremony was the filling out of respective recipients to receive the sword, medal and hat, signifying them as soldiers of Christ with a charge to defend the church and their religious faith.