Catholic Endowment Fund: No Amount Of Prayer Replaces Charity, Love — Kanyip Tells Knights Of St. Mulumba

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Barr. James Kanyip who doubles as the Metropolitan Grand Knight has declared that prayer and religious title without love and charity amount to empty noise.

Kanyip stated this on Saturday in Kaduna at the Endowment Fund launch of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Kaduna Metropolitan Council.

Kanyip, quoting 1 Corinthians 13:1, said no matter how religious a person is, without charity, he is like a noisy gong.

He warned that giving must become a habit, not an afterthought for the rich and powerful.

“You don’t have to be rich, a millionaire, before you give. You don’t have to be a politician or government appointee before you give. If you have N1,000 and you cannot give N200, even if you have N1 billion, you will not give,” he said.

According to him, service to humanity remains service to God.

Kanyip said Governor Uba Sani, who he described as a governor for all, identifies with the noble cause of the Knights.

He said since assumption of office on May 29, 2023, Governor Sani has demonstrated inclusive governance for Christians, Muslims and all ethnic groups in the state.

He assured that the governor would support the endowment when fully briefed.

In his remarks, Regional Manager, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Kaduna, Mr Peter Gabriel, hailed the initiative, describing it as laudable and sustainable.

Gabriel said the initiative would empower future generations and reduce poverty.

He called for strict accountability framework to protect the fund.

He said a constitution, by-laws and investment memoranda must clearly define who does what with the funds, including preservation of the principal sum.

“Any financial institution providing fiduciary services must act according to the by-laws agreed by all stakeholders,” he said.

On rising poverty and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-West, Gabriel blamed lack of empowerment and called for investment in education, vocational and technical skills.

He said self-sustaining citizens would reduce over-dependence on palliatives and charity, adding that government must scale up social interventions while organisations like Knights of St. Mulumba sustain charity drives.

Similarly, the Special Adviser (Security) to the Minister of Defence, Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, said the endowment stands out because it transcends tribe, religion and geography.

Nkom, who represented the Minister of Defence, said endowment is about humanity.

“What makes this unique is endowment and charity. It is not about building an edifice. Endowment cuts across tribes. It touches every aspect of humanity,” he said.

He urged the Knights to see the project as a continuous activity, not a one-off event.

“Events end, activities continue forever. This charity work, this endowment, will continue beyond today,” he said.

The launch was attended by the Supreme Knight, Deputy Supreme Knight, Noble President, Metropolitan Grand Knight, Reverend Fathers, the Agwatyap, Sir Dominic Yahaya, member representing Zangon Kataf in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Managing Director of the Kaduna State Enterprise Development Agency (KADEDA) and the Jagaban of Piriga.