NewStats: 3,263,272 , 8,179,618 topics. Date: Thursday, 05 June 2025 at 10:44 AM 3a5j48

A reverend sister from Nigeria has been awarded the 2024 Opus Prize. Sister Francisca Ngozi Uti, founder and executive director of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) in Abuja, Nigeria, won the prestigious $1.2 million honor which recognizes extraordinary humanitarian efforts worldwide.

During the award ceremony on November 14 at Santa Clara University in California’s Silicon Valley, Sister Ngozi, a member of the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ), expressed profound gratitude.

“Did I ever imagine being nominated as the laureate? Honestly, no,” she said. “Words seem inadequate to capture the depth of my joy. My heart overflows with gratitude. I never dreamed the work my team and I have been doing in remote communities would gain recognition, not just locally but across the Atlantic in the United States.”

Ngozi thanked the Opus Prize jury for believing in her mission to alleviate suffering among marginalized groups.

Reflecting on her journey, Sister Ngozi credited her father for ensuring she received an education despite societal challenges.

“Thank you, Papa. Your sacrifice was not in vain,” she said, adding that her congregation’s founder, Mother Mary Charles Magdalene Walker, inspired her life of courage and faith.

CWSI, under Sister Ngozi’s leadership, empowers women to become politically aware, socially responsible, and economically independent. The organization also advocates for women’s inclusion in government roles and the enforcement of legal provisions against gender-based violence in five Nigerian states.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/11/nigerian-catholic-sister-wins-1-2m-opus-prize/amp/

Congratulations to her

Good!

Why are Ngozis always breaking records? Cong to her.

That smile of accomplishment!

Holly Gram HBD ma. Sorry congratulations Ma.


Naso i de smile anytime way my WEED don de enter cloud 9.


LITE UP my WEED in peace


WTF MAN!

Congratulations

no matter what happens please continue to put good out into the world and love each other and protect each other because we will need it more than ever

Success doesn't happen on a set timeline. Life isn't a race, and it's okay if things take time to unfold. Trust that what's meant for you will come at the right moment. Focus on small, controllable steps, and let the rest fall into place.

Hope She Won't Leave Her Calling & Get Married

You can’t bear Ngozi and not be great

Congratulations ma....

Please don't kidnap her.

🙏🏾

Congratulations to you, Reverend Sister.

Flangelo12:
Please don't kidnap her.

🙏🏾

nawa o

Big ups, Sister!

Antoeni:
Hope She Won't Leave Her Calling & Get Married

No

While the catholic church has its own shortcomings, it towers far above many other socio-religious groups in of discipline and piety.
Some of these people has dedicated their entire life to serving and making other people's lives better. The reason you see some of them living with native people in remote villages in love and unity and you never see them complaining or live in opulence while the people whose lives they serve rot away in neglect.

There's hardly a wide disparity in the life of a Catholic nun or father and the people they serve.

Congrats my church member lemme go and collect my share

Most rev fathers have wives and children in another country likewise Rev sisters, Catholic Churches knows this too

We are not ready for this discussion

Newlymarried:


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/11/nigerian-catholic-sister-wins-1-2m-opus-prize/amp/

Na Game 🎮? Make she boys odds n codes

This is good news

Catholic Church may tell her to bring the money cos she is married to Jesus and doesn't need worldly things. Those ones who teach and lecture,their salary goes to the church and the church gives them part of it. Na them Sabi Sha
You may quote or doubt me but I hope she will reveal the truth later.

Alright.

G0Oodharddick:
Most rev fathers have wives and children in another country likewise Rev sisters, Catholic Churches knows this too

We are not ready for this discussion

Stop writing trash. What has that NONSENSE got to do with topic? Congratulate her and leave.

G0Oodharddick:
Most rev fathers have wives and children in another country likewise Rev sisters, Catholic Churches knows this too

We are not ready for this discussion

Why does that bother you if it doesn't stop the catholic church from engaging in humanitarian work that it is known for.

For the nuns and fathers that has decided not to take a wife or husband, has it stopped them from being good persons or reduce them from doing the work they've dedicated their lives to.

GREAT MOTIVATION FOR OUR SISTERS

Samfloxin:
Catholic Church will tell her to bring the money cos she is married to Jesus and doesn't need worldly things. Those ones who teach and lecture,their salary goes to the church and the church gives them part of it. Na them Sabi Sha

Yet they are still happier than you. Reason am.

Is she a virgin?

itsIYKE:
You can’t bear Ngozi and not be great

Lie them plenty for Allen

Samfloxin:
Catholic Church will tell her to bring the money cos she is married to Jesus and doesn't need worldly things. Those ones who teach and lecture,their salary goes to the church and the church gives them part of it. Na them Sabi Sha

There is a project she is running the reason she won the prize so this your assertion is a bit misleading.

For a start, the church would even be happy that she's getting funding on her work that would reduce the burden of the church providing assistance to her

Congratulations to her.