By Richard Adewale
Saturday March 8, 2025 was a day of beautiful reminiscences among members of the Knights of St Mulumba and their female counterparts, the Ladies of St Mulumba. It was the day they recalled the establishment of the Order on the 3rd of March, 2000.
The day started with a mass led by Rev Fr Ashinwo, who acknowledged the good works of the knights in the Ijebu- Ode diocese of the Catholic faithful. In his homily, the presiding priest, who was also the Chaplain of both the Ijebu-Ode and Shagamu sub-councils, described a true knight as a soldier of Christ who lives by mercy. He further said that the Lord loves unconditionally, and so urged members to be unconditional in their love for others.
In his words, they are to love without counting cost and to forgive without keeping scores. “The way we treat others reflects the heart within us,” the priest noted.
The mass was followed by a joint meeting of the Knights of St Mulumba and Ladies of St Mulumba, where a lecture titled “Knights of St Mulumba, The Journey So Far”, was delivered by a one-time Grand Knight of the Order who was also the oldest member at the occasion, Ambassador John Ogunnupebi.
In a summation of what transpired at the early stages of its formation, he took members down the memory lane, informing them that they were not able to have the required number for its formal establishment, but had to depend on two others, Sir & Lady Idowu Silva who had to transfer their membership to the sub-council from Lagos for six months. He acknowledged the immeasurable efforts of the pioneer members, even as he also gave kudos to the present Grand Knight for having achieved beyond the expectations of all and being able to fulfill the mission and vision of the founding fathers. He congratulated the Grand Knight, Prof Patrick Akinsanya, the Lady president , Prof Abolanle Adefuye, past Grand Knights and Lady Presidents, the executive committees and other members of the sub-council. He implored them to continue to keep the flag flying, preserving the integrity and tenets of the church as well as to be proud in offering their treasure, time and talent for the growth of the church and the development of mankind.
The presence of Sir & Lady Bartholomew Nnadieto was acknowledged. They were representatives of the Grand Knight and Lady President of Sagamu sub council – Sir Ethelbert Nwariri and Lady Paulina Abegunde. He Informed the gathering that he brought fraternal greetings and the goodwill messages of the entire members of Sagamu sub councils.
The 25th anniversary cake was cut, led by the Grand Knight and the Lady President, followed by a photograph session anchored by the Public Relations Officer of the Order, Sir Richard Adewale.