The Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Lagos Metropolitan Council elevated 167 of her members, comprising 62 Knights and 65 Ladies, to the 3rd degree of the Order, having held the admissions ceremony earlier, the Investiture ceremony took place during the noon Mass, followed by a reception, recently at St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos. The elaborate ceremonies led by the Lagos Metropolitan Grand Knight, Sir Don Ezeh and the Lagos Metropolitan President, Lady Juliet Damian-Osuigwe, had in attendance Sir Charles Mbelede, the Supreme Knight of the Order, as well as Supreme officers, including Sir Dan Egwu and Sir Patrick Ekwenta. Also present on the occasion were Lagos Metropoltan executive officers, Grand Knights, Lady Presidents, the newly invested 3rd degree Knights and Ladies and their Guests.
Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ayeni, KSM Lagos Metropolitan Chaplain and Administrator, St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, concelebrated the Holy Mass with Rev. Fr. Gabriel Fatoye of Blessed Tansi Catholic Church, Agidingbi, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Omoroke, Associate Priest, St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja and Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu of the Benin Archdiocese. While delivering the homily, Rev. Fr. Abu asked the Knights and Ladies to remain steadfast in their faith in God and in their contributions to the Church, despite the difficult times. The Metro Grand Knight and Lady President led the investiture ceremony of the new 3rd degree Knights and Ladies, while Fr. Ayeni, the Lagos Metro Chaplain blessed the swords and royal purple regalia of the 3rd degree Knights and Ladies before the robing ceremonial. Sir Ezeh, Lagos Metro Grand Knight congratulated the new 3rd Degree Knights whom he said had “demonstrated commitment and resilience through more than 10 years in the Order to arrive at this unique milestone of the 3rd degree.” He admonished them to “Be Worthy” in their personal and family lives, in their decisions and choices on critical issues, and in their contributions to the Catholic Church, the Clergy and the Religious, the Order and the larger society.
Finally, he implored them to continue to be good leaders and be a source of inspiration to others and “like candles should light other candles to glow.” Sir Charles Mbelede, the Supreme Knight congratulated the new 3rd degree Knights and Ladies of KSM Nigeria which he said in addition to being an honoured Order of the Catholic Church, is also a brand. He requested that by their exemplary conduct, they should keep the light of the KSM brand burning brightly. KSM Nigeria has four degrees in an ascending order of seniority, starting with the 1st degree at the entry level. The ceremony was for advancement of qualified members of Lagos Metro from the 2nd to the 3rd degree.
