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By Cosmas Omegoh
Sitting back to rue these days of economic crunch and the attendant challenges could be dangerous. Doing so could be damaging mentally and even spiritually. And this seemed to be what members of Knights of Saint John International (KSJI) of the Catholic Church understood in full.
Recently, members of District 16 Commandery of the Lagos Grand Commandery, headquartered at Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC), Akowonjo, Lagos, gathered to celebrate what they called a family reunion – an occasion that marked annually.
This year’s edition was awesome. It drew both the high and the mighty. And more spectacularly, the knights used the occasion to celebrate their younger ones whom they tag juniors and cadets. The essence, it was learnt, was to inspire them to be desiring and deserving members of KSJI when they come of age.
The event’s chairman, organising committee, Sir Damian Izuka, a community pharmacist, added that the essence of the day was to get the knights to celebrate with their families in a convivial atmosphere and to grow their cadets and juniors to be members of the KSJI of the future. He added: “We aspire to put them in a mood of hunger for Knights of St John International when they grow up.” The theme of the occasion, he said, was, “the exalted family reunion.”
KSJI members from Commandery 641 Ikorodu, Commandery 716, Gowon Estate, Commandery 727, Iju, Agege, Commandery 882, Church of Acession, Airport, Commandery 726, Idimu, among others, joined the host, Commandery 557, in the huge celebration.
It was an occasion that got off the blocks with Catholic Holy Mass, at which the essence of the family as the bedrock for the nation was reiterated and reemphasised.
Speaking in his homily on the occasion, Rev Fr Nicholas Aniefon Ikpeme (CM), who is the assistant parish priest at CKC Akowonjo, maintained that more than ever before, there was a growing need for parents to bring up their children in a godly manner. He said children that were well brought up were bound to be virtuous and virtuous persons would guarantee families which would in turn be the bedrock for a greater nation.
“More than ever before, parents now have a greater responsibility of raising their children in a godly manner so as to guarantee a righteous nation.
“Parents and their children have their individual responsibilities towards building a good family, and good families guarantee a better country,” he said.
He enjoined parents to endeavour to bring up their children in such a way that they would be of virtue to the nation, warning that families that choose not to be united to God, would rather flow with Satan.
Sermon over, members of the District 16 Commandery and their guests fanned out at the open field opposite the church for the celebrations.
Some of the dignitaries at the event were the chairman of the occasion, Sir Emmanuel Iweha; Sir Chux Amamgbo, Grand President of Lagos Grand Commandery; Ist Grand President, Victoria Okonkwo, District Commander of Lagos Commandery, Simon Ochei who was the host; the immediate past District 16 President, Josephine Odafe, Sir Okey Ugwu, Sir Marcel Ejike, Sir Emmaneul Ugwoke, Sir Patrick Rwang, and Brigadier General Peter Osangbi among others.
In his opening prayers, Osamgbi thanked God for the gift of the Catholic faith, and the grace for the members of KSJI to gather once again to celebrate and fraternise with one another.
The host, Sir Ochei, expressed happiness that the event would once again offer the members the opportunity come together and have a good time and glorify God. He thanked God for the members of KSJI, and expressed confidence that they would continue to be builders of the society and the nation.
In his opening speech, the Chairman of the Day, Sir Emmanuel Iweha, explained that it became necessary to hold the event in August because “August means increase and be great.
“August is derived from Augustus which also means be exalted, hence the choice of the month to conduct the event in the month of August.”
He prayed for the members to continue to increase, adding that “the cadets and juniors happen to be the focus of the celebration and I’m happy that they are here.”
Amamgbo, on his part, described KSJI as a “family apostolate,” noting that that was the reason the day was centred on the cadets. He called for seriousness in participation so that essence of the day would dawn on the younger ones.
The occasion also offered the host district the opportunity to raise money through the sales of kola nuts to aid it evangelism drive.
The event further featured a beautiful match pasts by the juniors and cadets of all the participating commanderies. There were races, games quiz, music and dance and lots of fun.
