Lagos — Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, S. Ola Makinde, has said the church's merit awards such as Member of Order of Wesley (MOW), Officer of the Order of Wesley (OOW) and Knight of John Wesley (KJW) are not for sale or for highest bidder.

Rather, he said the awards serve as incentive for sprituality, commitment, charity and faithfulness and regardless of sexual or tribal discrimination.

Makinde said this at the ninth edition of meeting of Knights of John and Charles Wesley, of Methodist Church of Nigeria, in Lagos.

He also advised Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, not to relent in his efforts at providing social amenities to the people, an action that has earned him honour in Lagos and the country in general.

Makinde assured Fashola of the church's prayer and support at all times, saying the church and the state are partners in the provision of better life for the people.

Explaining the purpose of this year's event, he said "knighthood is the high Merit Award in Methodist Church Nigeria. The order was adopted in 1992.

"The Knight of Charles Wesley is given to those who excel in music like Charles Wesley and because Methodism was born in songs, while the Knight of John Wesley is given to devoted, commited, spritual, faithful, liberal, peace and loving ardent defender of Christian faith and promoter of Wesleyan heritage.

The Knight serve has bridge buiders and ambassadors of peace among all arms of Methodist Church, Nigeria."He said the Knights have come to Archdiocese of Lagos to deliberate on how to move Methodist Church Nigeria forward and to promote the unity, developmental and evangelical work of the church.