The Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, was a beehive of activities, yesterday, as the church honoured members, who have contributed selflessly to the church’s growth.

The awards, which were the first in the history of the Archdiocese, had 126 members of the church, made up of 96 male and 30 females honoured. Each parish in the archdiocese had one awardee.

The awards are dedicated to St. Thomas More, who had a reputation as being honest and effective. He was said to have worked tirelessly to defend the Catholic faith in England. 
   
More was also said to be of deep piety, asceticism, voluntary self discipline and penitence.
  
The ceremony, which started with a thanksgiving mass at 10.00am, was officiated by the Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, assisted by close to 50 priests in the archdiocese.
 
Among those honoured were Priscillia Kuye, a former President of Nigeria Bar Association, who was nominated by Catholic Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, and had served as Parish Laity Council, as well as the President of the Confraternity of Christian Mother’s among other commitments.
  
Equally honoured during the celebration, which attracted high networth guests from the archdiocese were Anienwelu Ernest Ibe, Ayeno Evelyn Olubukonla and Nwakobi Victoria.
 
Also honoured was Engr. Moses Oseremen Agbonhese of St Lawrence Catholic Church, Paiko, I dimu. He told The Guardian that he feels humble to be recognised by the church. He said that the award is a further motivation for him to do more for the church.
   
Agbhonhese was nominated by his parish for single handedly building a multipurpose hall for the church, comprising two big halls, two offices for the parish priest and his assistant secretary office, cathecists’ offices, two shopping stores and bookshop.
   
He said that right from his days as a cathecist in Uromi, he has never wavered in the service of God.
  
Commending them for using the gifts that God gave them for the good of the church, Vicar General/ Episcopal Vicar, Ikeja Region, Rt Rev. Msgr (Dr.) John K Aniagwu enjoined them to continue in the service of God.
 
His words: “I wish to thank you for making yourselves available for the use of God in his vineyard.”