Efiong Ekere Among Inaugural Knights Invested by Church of Nigeria North America Mission
Houston, Texas – April 12, 2026
Congregants of the Church of Nigeria North America Mission (CANAM) gathered Sunday at Holy Trinity Church, Houston, for a landmark ceremony — the maiden investiture of its Council of Knights.
Following the Holy Eucharist service, a select group of men, including Nigerian-born engineer Efiong Ekere, were formally inducted into the Order of St. Christopher. The rite, steeped in Anglican tradition, signaled the Church of Nigeria’s expanding presence in the diaspora and framed knighthood as a call to active service rather than ceremonial recognition.
Ekere, an Akwa Ibom State native, is a construction engineer and project manager with more than 20 years of service at the Georgia State Department of Transportation. He and other inductees took vows and received certificates during the solemn service, which was marked by hymns of thanksgiving and prayers.
In his sermon, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, the Rev. Blessing Enyinda, charged the new knights to embrace their titles as a mandate for evangelism. “Your mission field is all of North America and Canada. Every Knight is an evangelist and a missionary,” he said, adding that their responsibilities include supporting church growth through outreach, funding missions, providing Bibles, and assisting clergy.
The investiture was conducted on behalf of the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, with Enyinda presiding. Presenting certificates, he invoked “the sword of the Spirit” before declaring each inductee’s elevation with the words, “Rise, Christian knight.”
Speaking after the ceremony, Ekere described the honor as a summons to deeper commitment. “This is a call to serve God and humanity more diligently. I am committed to supporting evangelism and mission work wherever it is needed,” he said.
His wife, Dr. Imaobong Ekere, a medical doctor, said the recognition carries shared responsibility. “I will support him in every way as he answers this call. It is a collective journey, and I am proud to be part of it,” she said.
