Former First Lady Patience Jonathan Inducted Into Knighthood of Saint Paul as Goodluck Jonathan Decries Loss of Justice in Nigeria

Patience Jonathan joins the Knighthood of Saint Paul in Bayelsa as former President Goodluck Jonathan warns that a lack of justice is stalling Nigeria's progress.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 4:46 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Peoples Gazette

A Call to Higher Service in Bayelsa

In a significant religious ceremony held on Sunday at St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Emeyal 2, former First Lady Patience Jonathan was admitted into the Knighthood of Saint Paul. The event, overseen by the Diocese of Ogbia (Anglican Communion), marked a formal transition for Mrs. Jonathan, who officially transferred her knighthood from the Aba Diocese to her home state of Bayelsa. She was inducted alongside 15 other prominent individuals, all tasked with expanding their roles in the service of the church and humanity.

The Responsibility of the Regalia

The guest preacher, Bishop Chikordi Wachukwu of the Ikwerre Diocese, reminded the new inductees that knighthood is far more than a ceremonial honor or the wearing of regalia. He described the induction as the beginning of a "long journey of service," urging the new knights to live as examples of Christian virtue. In her address, Mrs. Jonathan echoed these sentiments, promising to live by example and acknowledging the increased responsibility placed upon her. She also extended her gratitude to her husband, former President Goodluck Jonathan, for his consistent support in her spiritual journey.

Goodluck Jonathan on National Integrity

The ceremony took an analytical turn during the address by former President Goodluck Jonathan. While commending the new knights, he cautioned them that the honor is reserved for those who serve as "defenders of justice." Jonathan pointedly identified a systemic lack of justice and honesty as the defining crises of modern Nigeria. He argued that without these two pillars, society cannot achieve meaningful progress, regardless of its democratic framework. His comments serve as a subtle but sharp critique of the current state of national ethics and institutional integrity.