By Kafilat Akinwunmi
Sagamu, the sprawling headquarters of Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State was clothed in a boisterous habit on Sunday May 28, 2023. It was the day the Knights and Ladies of St Mulumba, Ijebu-Ode Sub-Council held their investitures cum thanksgiving ceremony at St Anthony Catholic Church, Ayegbami- Sagamu.
It was an event that brought many personalities to the town in their numbers.
The two investees – Sir Richard Olaniyi Adewale and Sir Anthony Fakorede, with their Ladies, Deborah and Elizabeth, led their friends and associates to the church. The other Knights and Ladies, including the sub council officers were led to the occasion by the Grand Knight, Sir (Dr) Patrick Akinsanya and the Lady President who was a member of the Parish, Lady (Dr) Bolanle Adefuye.
The officiating priest was Rev. Fr. Oluwatimilehin Anthony Marcus, who stood in for the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Evaritus-Mary Oduntan.
In his remarks, the priest warmly welcomed the knights to the church. He recalled the noble deeds and gallantry of the medieval knights, especially ensuring a safe passage to the Holy Land of Jerusalem and its environment by Christian pilgrims during the turbulent days of Muslim conquests.
While noting that the nnights of the present days do not engage in sword duels or battle again, he explained that they now extend the frontiers of evangelism through the use of their time, talent and treasure in the propagation of the gospel.
He admonished the new knights to be mindful of their actions within and outside the church as they were role models for the faithful, especially the young ones, who he noted were still in their formative years.
The Grand Knight of the Order, while addressing the congregation, extended an open invitation to the parishioners, who should be practising Catholics and in a state of grace, to become members of the Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba. According to him, through that, they would be using their God-given gifts for the growth of the church as well as being in the service of humanity, protecting human dignity and contributing their quota to the growth of the church.
Rev. Fr. Oduntan who came in during the blessing of the cap, cape and sword of the Knights, expressed happiness that the church at Sagamu was chosen to host the August event out of all other parishes under Ijebu-Ode Diocese. He acknowledged his special bond with the Grand Knight and felicitated the two investees and the six other newly admitted members of the Order who were jointly celebrating their admission thanksgiving concurrently with the investees at the venue.
At the reception held in the church hall immediately after mass, the two investees profoundly thanked the hosting priest and his assistant for their understanding, support and unfettered cooperation towards ensuring that the event was outstandingly successful while acknowledging the immense contribution of the six newly admitted Knights.
The good work of the Grand Knight and his executive Committee members was also immensely acknowledged. It was noted that upsurge in the number of membership of the Order was unprecedented and should be attributed to the hard work and sterling quality of the leadership of the sub-council under the leadership of Dr. Patrick Akinsanya.
Speaking with Saturday Sun after the event, one of the new knights, Sir Niyi Adewale expressed his joy and excitement.
His words: “I am so happy for the grace of God to be so honoured with this elevation among God’s people, which is beyond my expectations. Even from my childhood, I was always dazzled, enthralled and captivated whenever I saw the kin their very unique uniform. To God be all the glory for being part of this unique occasion for the unique people of God.”