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Original Post By http://www.nigerianwatch.com
MEMBERS of the order of the Ladies of St Mulumba (LSM) of the Catholic Church of Nigeria have awarded the first lady the unprecedented accolade Mother Theresa of Today in recognition of her charitable activities.
Presented during a visit to the presidential villa in Abuja yesterday, the LSM said it gave Dame Patience Jonathan the award because of the humanitarian work she had done through her pet project the Women for Change and Development Initiative (W4CDI). LSM president Chief Ngor Nwachukwu, decorated her with the honour during the visit.
Chief Nwachukwu said: “W4CDI has recorded positive changes in the society as there is a strong wind of change blowing off poverty, disease, hunger. It is also bringing along empowerment and sustaining hope for women in particular and to all in general.”
In addition, Chief Nwachukwu, also commended the first lady for her support to the president, described her role as a family model in line with the advocacy of Pope Francis. LSM, which was established in 1978, has more than 10,000 members across the country.
In her thank you remarks, Dame Jonathan commended the group for its visit, saying it was a sign of solidarity and support, especially for the transformation agenda of her husband. She also thanked the group for its acknowledgment of her modest contributions to society with this decoration as Mother Theresa of Today.
Dame Jonathan said: “It was Mother Theresa of old who said being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody is a much greater hunger and greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. This saying has been my propelling force for the advocacy and policy dialogue to enhance the status of women in the society, giving hope to the despaired, relief for the sick, training and empowerment for youths and women.’’
“As wives, mothers and sisters, we have important roles to play in moving Nigeria forward on the path of peace and development. As mothers and role models, we owe it a duty to our families and our nation to build our homes as well as the needed change in our communities.’’
Several other Catholic organisations have decorated Dame Jonathan in the past. Among the honours she has been awarded include the Epitome of Justice and Peace, Phenomenal Woman of Substance, Dorcas of Old and Esther of Old.
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