Members of the Order of Knights of Saint John International (KSJI) have been charged to see positions as call to duty and invitation to serve humanity.
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON; have 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.
Asagba Prof Azinge noted that the Knights meritoriously and creditably served the Order, even in the face of obvious challenges in their way, but that God made it possible for them to surmount such challenges, making them to last just for a while.
He, however, observed that the Order, with the motto: “For God and for Country”, had done well for God but was still lagging behind in service to the country.
The highly revered traditional ruler, who is a Knight of Saint John International and Papal Knight of Saint Gregory the Great, said he had yet to see any clear evidence that members of the Catholic faith and members of the Order of Knights of Saint John International in elected or appointed government positions had done any reasonable thing to portray them as practicing Catholics.
The Asagba 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 before the CBCN.
Nna Agu remarked that “As far as that is concerned, KSJI has not done well. You have not been that voice that should speak before the CBCN speaks. I want to urge that going forward that is something we must not lose sight of if we truly believe in the mantra that we proclaim: “For God and for Country”.
“There’s a lot of work to be done to humanity, which is not defined by the Catholic faith. Humanity is more encompassing, more comprehensive than Catholicism. We must move out of our comfort zone and try as much as possible to reach out and to 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 a role model, try and identify with you, or to even try and embrace your faith, especially in a place where you can see evidential that 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 in the knowledge that truly we have work to do, beyond our comfort zone, to humanity in general.
“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”.
Asagba Prof Azinge congratulated 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 and track record, which he noted were quite commendable and 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.
Sister Mgbajiaka said she had a successful tour of duty, articulating mass wedding for over 600 couples across the country, a skill acquisition program, scholarship support, empowerment of widows and vulnerable women, amongst 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.
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