Members of the Order of Knights of Saint John International (KSJI) and have been charged to see their positions as a call to duty and invitation to serve humanity.
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany Azinge SAN, gave the charge when the immediate past Supreme Subordinate Auxiliary President of the Order of Knights and Ladies of Saint John International, Noble Sister Irene Mgbajiaka, paid him a courtesy visit.
Azinge noted that the knights “meritoriously and creditably served the Order, even in the face of obvious challenges in their way, but God made it possible for them to surmount such challenges”.
He, however, observed that the Order, with the motto: “For God and for Country”, has done well, but is lagging behind in service to the country.
The traditional ruler, who is a Knight of Saint John International and Papal Knight of Saint Gregory the Great, said he was yet to see any clear evidence that the Catholic faith and members of the Order of Knights of Saint John International in elected or appointedpositions have done much to portray them as ‘practicing Catholics’.
The Asagba of Asaba said Catholics had more or less failed in leading advocacy and speaking up when necessary, positing that the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) should not be the only voice of the Catholic Church on burning national issues, insisting that there should be interventions from other organisations of the church.
The monarch remarked that “as far as I’m concerned, KSJI has not done much.. You have not been that voice that should speak out. I want to urge that going forward, that is something we do if we truly believe in the mantra that we proclaim”.
“There’s a lot of work to be done for humanity. Humanity is more encompassing than Catholicism. We must move out of our comfort zones, reach out and speak up when the need arises. That’s the only way we can show that there’s a difference between us and others.
“For me, it is a major consideration as I sit on this stool. I’m conscious of the toga I wear. I’m conscious of my faith. I’m conscious of my membership of the Order and I believe that as I lead the people of Asaba, that evidence must be demonstrably clear to all and sundry that their king is trying to make a difference in the life of members of his community, both Christians and non-Christians alike.
“That is what should inspire others to see you truly as role models, try and identify with you, or to even try and embrace your faith, especially in a place where you predominantly do not believe even if they pretend to believe. So, there is work to be done by members of the KSJI in that regard. Let us leave here fortified with the knowledge that truly we have work to do.
“If we are able to do that, I believe that the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria will be happy that there are other organisations that can intervene in their absence or shortly before they make a statement on behalf of the Catholic faith”.
The monarch lauded Noble Sister Mgbajiaka for a highly successful and impactful tour of duty as Supreme Subordinate Auxiliary President, pointing out that he followed, with keen interest, her developmental trajectory, which he noted was quite admirable.
Speaking earlier, the visiting past Supreme Subordinate Auxiliary President, Noble Sister Irene Mgbajiaka, said she was in the Palace to inform the Asagba that she had served out her tenure and handed over to an equally capable successor.
Mgbajiaka said she had a successful tour of duty, articulating a mass wedding for over 600 couples across the country, a skill acquisition programme, scholarship support, empowerment of widows and vulnerable women, among others, as her major achievements.
She was accompanied by Very Reverend Father Mark Nwoko, the Grand President, Issele-Uku Grand Command, Sir Francis Keshi and the Grand Secretary, Sir Raymond Onwugbenu.
