Soludo rejects request to grant clerics regalia

The governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has turned down a request from the Catholic Knights to use state funds for sewing regalia for their members.

Soludo emphasized that public money cannot be allocated to private institutional regalia belonging to the Catholic Knights or any similar organization.

He made the comments while addressing the All Knights Day celebration of the Catholic Diocese of Awka at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday.

While he approved the Knights’ request for support of their charitable visits to orphanages, he rejected the proposal to finance the production of uniforms.

“I will not deploy state resources for purchasing of private institutional regalia. The Knights must remain the light of the world and the salt of the earth by living through principles rather than mere titles,” he said.

“True love for Christ is found in keeping His commandments through discipline, humility, and courage.”

“Leaders of the church and the laity must demonstrate the courage needed for societal transformation, governance and knighthood must always choose the right path over the easy one.”

He warned against elitist isolation, urging the Knights to mingle with the people and preserve their “human face” and prophetic voice in the community.

The governor praised the church leadership for promoting the spirit of the “common good” and commended the diocese for standing firmly against societal ills.

He specifically cited the Anambra State Burial Law, noting that by curbing excessive pomp and pageantry at funerals, the state is encouraging “befitting living and decent burial” for its citizens.

Soludo also disclosed that the government is intensifying its crackdown on “fake pastors” who he said exploit vulnerable people by preaching “salvation without the cross.”

He revealed that several suspects are already in custody and are providing confessional statements.

He stressed that the vision of a “New Anambra” must be built on integrity and be free from deception, while reinforcing the church’s teaching on the dignity of hard work.

The event featured a Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor.

The homily was delivered by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Iheanacho, who reflected on the work of the Holy Spirit and described knighthood as a process of “sober reflection, stock‑taking, and reckoning” guided by strict tenets and principles.