KSJI Celebrate 14th Anniversary, Express Concern On kidnapping of Priests
Knights of St. John International, KSJI, Benin Grand Commandery have expressed worry on the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria which has led to issues such as the kidnapping of Priests.
The knights who voiced their opinion while reaffirming their commitment to the Catholic Church, insisted that the deteriorating security situation will neither dampen their love for their country nor their faith.
Speaking in Benin City, Edo State, the knights expressed concern over recent attacks on prominent Catholic figures such as Priests, and other clerical figures, allegedly by criminals posing as herdsmen. They stressed that no attempt to violate holy places would deter them from carrying out God's work.
Highlight from the recent KSJI 14th Benin Grand. anniversary which held in Benin City, capital of Edo State, included an honour segment to distinguished personalities.
Present at this occasion of Catholic faithful was the former two-term deputy governor of Edo State who also doubled as the former Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, who served as the Father of the Day
The event which was held at the St. Peter's Catholic Church, Benin, attracted respected Catholic leaders in the region.
In his opening speech, Col. Chris Umogbai, the Grand President of the Benin Grand of KSJI, emphasized the unifying faith and aspirations of the members, who stand together free from prejudice and are committed to purity, obedience, and devotion.
He commended the members for their steadfastness amid the economic challenges and urged them to hold onto God for sustenance.
Col. Umogbai also expressed his sorrow over the alarming rise in attacks on clerics, revealing that reverend Fathers and priests have increasingly become targets for kidnappers and other criminals.
He stated, "It’s truly disheartening that sacred places are no longer safe. Our revered leaders have become prime targets, facing abduction for ransom and in some tragic cases, death. Such heinous acts have shaken our faith and resolve, but we remain steadfast in defending the Church."
In his speech the chairman of the occasion, Sir Engr. Oseghale Blessing David who belongs to the Lagos Grand Commandery but an indigene of Edo State, said the Benin Commandery naturally becomes his home Commandery.
He showered encomium on the Benin Grand Commandery, Chris Umogbai, for exhibiting uncommon leadership trait which encouraged his acceptance of chairmanship of the occasion.
Engr Oseghale spoke on the perception of the "Order" by the people he referred to as competitors who equate the Order to a secret cult.
He recommended evangelization and living a virtuous life by members as a way to fight the disinformation.
"We must embark on massive evangelization. Competitors paint us black: We must reach out to negate all these slanders and tell people the importance of being a member of this order"
A variety of activities marked the 14th-anniversary celebration of the KSJI, culminating in the unveiling of a special anniversary logo, a thanksgiving Mass, and the honouring of distinguished Catholic figures.
Among those honoured were Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; Sir Oseghale Blessings David; Hon. Philip Shaibu, the former deputy governor of Edo State; and the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.
The Benin Grand Commandery, in retrospect, was inaugurated in 2011.
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