The 10th and 9th Biennial Convention of the Noble Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI) Owerri Grand Commandery ended in Owerri, the Imo State capital Sunday, December 8, with new officers elected to run the affairs of the Commandery for the next two years.

They are: Brig,Gen, Noble Bro. Ezekiel Ihionu-Grand President, Major Noble Bro. F.A. Chukwu-First Vice President, Major Noble Bro. Anthony Enukeme-Second Vice-President and Col. T.K. Nwachukwu-Secretary.  Sir Donatus Onyeanuna clinched the post of the Financial Secretary while Sir Vincent Agu won that of Treasurer.  Col. Val Oboh was elected Sergeant at Arms, Capt Jude Alozie, Grand Messenger and Capt.  Mike Okereke, Grand Guard.  The posts of the Grand Board of Trustees were also contested for, with the results as follows: Sir B.L.C. Okoro-1st Trustee, Major Jude Otum-2nd Trustee, Major C.C. Alugbuo-3rd Trustee, Major Damian Ojimba-4th Trustee and Major Leo Ozurumba-5th Trustee.

The four-day activity-packed convention, which was attended by delegates from the 30 local commanderies that make up the Owerri Grand Commandery (Archdiocese of Owerri and the Dioceses of Orlu, Ahiara, Okigwe, Umuahia and Aba) was held at the Pastoral Centre Owerri.

In his welcome address, the Grand President, Brig. Gen. Noble Bro. Ezekiel Ihionu who had been piloting the affairs of the Owerri Grand Commandery since July this year, informed delegates that at the convention, the apex bodies of the Noble Order meet to: review performance in the past two years after the last convention, formulate new policies that make the apex body and her subordinate commanderies move forward and in the case of brothers, in this convention, elect officers for another two-year term for the grand commandery.

He invited all participants to give their best in the fraternal spirit of the Order so as to achieve the set objectives.

Brig. Gen. Noble Bro. Ihionu further explained that the convention will sensitize members on their role as lay members of Christ’s faithful, who are given special vocation to make the Church present and fruitful in those places and circumstances where the Church should be presented as the salt of the earth.

The Grand Respected President, Noble Lady Lizzy Chiweobi, in her address urged knights and ladies to emulate the Patron Saint of the Order, St. John the Baptist in honesty and fearlessness in saying the truth at all times.  She warned members that the eyes of the world were on them and that they may be the only bible some people may be read.  The KSJI is not a civil service or social club and so must be handled as a lay apostolate of the Catholic Church, which it is indeed she added.

It would be recalled that three Eucharistic celebrations featured during the convention, opening Mass on Thursday evening, memorial Mass on Saturday and outing Mass on Sunday.

In his homily at the memorial Mass, the Grand Spiritual Director, Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Njoku, who was the chief celebrant stressed on the need to request Masses for departed knights and ladies rather than waste stupendous amount of money on brochures full of lies about the virtues of the deceased.  He explained that by his death, Christ conquered the universal enemy of man and so has become the universal king of all who believe in him.  Just as Christ overcome death by dying, so should a true Christian overcome evil by suffering, emphasized the Spiritual Director.  Memorial Masses are usually celebrated for the repose of the souls of knights and ladies as well as their young ones (cadets and juniors) who died since the last KSJI convention.  At the outing Mass, Fr. Njoku enjoined knights and ladies to always dispose themselves to be touched by God by being in a state of expectation.  He called on them to imitate John the Baptist’s simplicity, humility and refusal to allow distractions.

During the delegate meetings, reports were received from the various Grand table officers.  There was a lecture on the laity, Drill competitions at district levels and investiture into Full Dress and Marching Uniforms and Convention Dinner.   The Ladies Auxiliary (LAUX) District 10 Orlu lifted the trophy for the LAUX Districts marching competition, District 14 of the Knights Umuahia won the trophy for Sword Manual and Field Drill.  Before the Spiritual Director blessed the new uniforms, the Grand President reminded the investees that the higher uniforms they were to wear from now on places on them greater responsibility to reflect the good image of the Order and attracts indulgence.

It would also be recalled that the Grand Spiritual Director, Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Njoku, the Noble Grand Master and Supreme Subordinate Inspector General, Brig-Gen. Eugene Emenalo, former Grand Presidents, Brig-Gen Paschal Okorie and Brig-Gen G.E. Shiweobi were present at the election and swearing in of  Grand officers.

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