Pope’s skull cap, my greatest gift ever – Anambra Governor Obiano

Rome: Anambra State Governor, Obiano with Pope Francis, right

By Sunny A. David
The Governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano has described his Zuccheto or skull cap from His Holiness, Pope Francis as his greatest gift ever.
Governor Obiano gave the description in Rome shortly after his investiture on, January 15, 2020 by Pope Francis as Knight Commander of the Pontifical Order of St. Gregory.
It was during the personal audience with His Holiness that he handed the Zuccheto to Governor Obiano.
The Governor thanked Ndi Anambra for their prayers and well wishes over the investiture and assured that he will continue to do his best to improve the socio-economic and infrastructural development of the state.
It would be recalled that on January 15, 2020, the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano became the first Catholic faithful in South East Nigeria to be bestowed with the honour of Knight Commander of the Pontifical Order of St. Gregory the Great (KCSG).
The Order of St. Gregory the Great is one of the five Orders of Knighthood of the Holy See bestowed upon Roman Catholic men and women in recognition of their personal service to the Holy See and the Catholic Church through outstanding efforts in support of the Holy See and the great personal examples they have set in their communities and countries.

Governor Obiano and his wife in Rome

The ceremony which was performed by the Supreme Pontiff and leader of the Worldwide Catholic Church, Pope Francis was witnessed by the Governor’s close family members from Nigeria and the Diaspora and a handful of close aides and friends.
With his investiture as the Knight Commander of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great (KCSG) Governor Obiano occupies a rare position among the Catholic Laity in the South East, having been conferred with the title of Duke of the Catholic Laity of Nigeria five years ago.
Close observers and associates who are familiar with Chief Obiano’s involvement and support for the Catholic Church recall that he had been a pillar of the church right from his years in the private sector.
Before he assumed office as the Governor of Anambra State, Governor Obiano was Patrons of Catholic Women Association, Missionary of St. Paul’s Society, Catholic Women’s Organization, Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria and the Grand Pillar of St. Gerald Catholic Church, Gbagada Estate, Lagos among others.