…Celebrates thanksgiving mass in honour of the New Grand Commandery, the New Grand President and Inauguration of the New Grand Board of Trustees
By Tochukwu Amalu
As Knights of St. John International, KSJI Issele-Uku rolls out the drums on Sunday 28th April, 2024, to celebrate the birth and charter of their Grand Commandery. Recall that Issele-Uku, Warri and Benin were previously under the Benin Grand Commandery respectively.
The entire Big Heart and Oil State – Delta State was agog with a high powered convergence of the National Leadership of KSJI & LAux, Grand Presidents, Past Grand Presidents and Local Commanderies this epoch making event.
The event which took place at St. Paul’s Cathderal Issele-uku was a bee-hive of activities, Thanksgiving Mass to Military Parade as well as the Grand Reception.
While officiating the Pontifical Mass, the Catholic Bishop of Issele-uku Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Odogwu Elue congratulated the members of Knights of St. John International Issele-uku for attaining this great feat and urging them to live the life of their Patron Saint, St. John the Baptist who was the four-runner of Christ.
He further admonished the Charter Grand President and the Board to use this opportunity to preach the goodnews of Christ through their words and actions; as all eyes will be on the New Grand at the moment to perform.
The National Leadership, led by the Supreme Subordinate President, Major General Prof Remy Uche presented the Charter Certificate of the new Grand to His Lordship, Most Rev Dr Michael Odogwu Elue for blessings and presentation to the Charter Grand President Brig. General Francis Keshi and the Grand Board of Trustees. Before his Speech, the Charter Grand President Brig. Gen. Francis Keshi announced the approval of Rev Fr. Mark Nwoko as the Grand Spiritual Director by His Lordship, the Bishop of Issele-uku Diocese.
In appreciation, the Grand President Brig. General Keshi expressed how honoured he was to have the presence of the Supreme Subordinate President Nigeria, Supreme Subordinate Ladies Auxiliary President Noble Lady Chinwe Mgbajiaka and a basket full of Grand Presidents, Grand Respected Presidents, Past Grand Presidents & Past Grand Respected President respectively to this occasion; and promised to keep the tenets of the order in the front burner with an anchorage on the 3Ts (Time, Talent and Treasure).
He further announced the corresponding Goodnews from the Supreme Ladies Auxiliary President, that in not more than two weeks, the Ladies Auxillary Grand Respected President will be joining him to pilot the ship of Issele-uku Grand Commandery to greater heights.
The high point of the event was the KSJI Grand Military Parade, salutation of the National Leadership as well as the reception to bring the events to a close. Congratulations to all the Newly Chartered Grand Board of Trustees and the entire members of Knights of St. John International, Issele-uku Grand Commandery.
Bro. Tochukwu Amalu is a member of the Knight of Saint John International, KSJI (St Paul’s Commandery 462 Issele-Uku.
