In this insightful interview with the Editor, NETA NWOSU, Sir Don Ezeh, Worthy Metropolitan Grand Knight, Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria, Lagos Metropolitan Council, shares the Metro’s notable achievements, challenges, and future plans. With a corporate background and extensive experience in leadership, Sir Ezeh, provides insights into his tenure, highlighting key initiatives and strategies that have driven growth and unity within the Metropolitan Council. Excerpts:
Worthy Metropolitan Grand Knight, as you reflect on your leadership tenure so far, what would you say are your most significant achievements, and how have they impacted the Lagos Metropolitan Council and the larger Catholic community?
When reflecting on our most significant achievements, several key initiatives stand out. Firstly, our ‘Feed-the-Hungry’ Charity Project has had a profound impact, distributing raw food to tens of thousands of less privileged individuals across Lagos and Ogun States. We’re also proud of the growth in our membership, with KSM Lagos Metro expanding from 1,027 members in August 2021 to 1,334 in March 2025. We project an additional 120 new members by year-end, thanks to our focus on quality membership drives. The creation of three new Sub-Councils – Ajao, Sagamu, and Arepo – has further strengthened our presence. The organisation also made significant impacts through various initiatives:
• Medical Mission: A successful medical mission was conducted on May 1, 2024, at the Catholic Church of the Pentecost, Jakande Estate, Ilasan – Lekki, Lagos.
• Support for the Clergy: The organisation provided support to the Archdiocese’s clergy, including the Archbishop’s annual press conference and training for priests.
• Donations: A N20 million donation was made to St. John Vianney Home for Priests Project at St. Agnes Maryland, Lagos.
• Anthony Cardinal Okogie Foundation: Over N135 million was raised for the education of less privileged children through a fundraising project.
• Awards and Recognition: The organisation received The Catholic Herald Centenary Humanitarian Award and Supreme Convention Achievement Awards.
• Ongoing Support: The organisation prioritises supporting the Church, clergy, and the less privileged through charity initiatives. In addition to enhancing spiritual growth and formation of our members, we encourage our Sub-Councils to prioritise skills development and empowerment programmes.
These initiatives include ICT and computer training, photography and videography skills, catering and culinary arts as well as Fashion design. These holistic development initiatives aim to make our Sub-Councils multi-skilled, stronger as well as future ready. This commitment will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the Church and community.
How have you navigated challenges during your tenure and what lessons have you learned from these experiences?
By the grace of God, I came into KSM with a corporate background of over 25 years successful career in a multi-national IOC leadership environment. I came into office with some 10 years’ experience, I earlier spent as Deputy Metropolitan Grand Knight and Lagos Metropolitan Secretary. The exposure in these two high level Metro Executives’ positions got me well prepared for leadership at the helm, and in managing the challenges of the Metropolitan Council. So you can say that when we got elected in October 2021, we came to the job well prepared and with clarity on our challenges, our focus and our delivery targets. All through our tenure we have navigated the many challenges with effective planning, firmness in leadership, pro-active responses, and above all – prayers! There’s no doubt that during this tenure we have recorded an exceptional success story.
In what ways have you fostered collaboration and unity among Sub-Councils and Members of the Lagos Metropolitan Council, and what strategies have been most effective?
Brotherhood and cooperation between Sub-Councils in Lagos Metro (especially at the Regions levels) have been part of our key messages to all – KSM/LSM Metro, Grand Knights, Lady Presidents, Worthy Brothers and Sisters – starting with the joint scheduling of many official events, retreats and thanksgiving, response and support to charity appeals across Sub-Councils. Cooperation and collaboration have been very significant and uplifting. Effective strategies include forward planning, focused and determined leadership drive, communication and mobilisation.
Worthy MGK, when you assumed office as the Grand Knight of the Lagos Metropolitan Council, what was the state of the Council like? What were some of the challenges and opportunities you inherited? Specifically, where would you say the Metropolitan Council was in terms of membership?
We have recorded growth in number of brothers – from 1,027 in August 2021 to 1,334 in March 2025; a net increase of 307 in membership in three and a half years, with a projection of additional 120 new members and more by end of this year 2025 – as a result of our new emphasis on quality membership drive. The same growth in numbers holds for our LSM Sisters. Our combined numerical strength as at today stands at 2,700 members (Brothers and Sisters) in KSM Lagos Metro. Our finances are good. Our Opex funding comes from Annual Dues paid by individual members – Brothers and Sisters in their respective Sub-Councils. We run the Metro Council (KSM/LSM) on a Yearly Budget approved by the Metro Council and managed by Executives. Effective Yearly Audit is one of the requirements that keeps our activities transparent and our organisation strong.
What challenges still lie ahead?
The Challenges that lie ahead are the challenges facing most organisations – the challenge of survival in a Nigerian economy and ability to continue to carry out our many commitments from one year to another, the challenge of growth in numbers as well as the spiritual growth of our members.
The Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba is built on a rich history and values. Can you elaborate on these core values of KSM and how they guide the organisation’s mission and activities in the Lagos Ecclesiastical province?
Through the years our KSM core values have remained strong support for the mother Church and clergy; attaining charity and positive impact in the society, prioritising the less privileged; enhancing evangelisation and spiritual growth as well as development of members. In addition to fostering brotherhood and sisterhood along with service and active involvement in supporting Church organizations and leadership
In what ways do you think KSM’s values and mission align with the broader goals of the Catholic Church in Nigeria?
KSM values and mission are strongly in alignment with the broader goals of the Church in Nigeria. Our founder, Fr. Anselm Ojefua, a Priest and Monk and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) were intentional about this from the beginning – in laying the foundation and nurturing the core values of our honoured order (the KSM). We have sustained these ideals through the years and through generations.
What are some of the key activities and initiatives that the Lagos Metropolitan Council has undertaken in 2025, and how do these align with the organisation’s overall mission and goals?
2025 is looking like any of our typical KSM years. We have our Annual Activities Schedule already published – lining up various activities including our Admission Windows in May and October, Our 3rd and 4th Degree Investitures in April and May, our Metro Council Meetings cum our Patron, our Founders’ Retreat and Feast Days e.t.c.
Can you share any notable successes or achievements of the Metro in 2025, and how these have impacted the community?
2025 is barely four months old. We will get there…
As your leadership tenure draws to a close, what are your plans for the remaining months, and how do you intend to ensure a smooth transition of power?
We are committed to running 2025 as a normal KSM year without taking our eyes off the ball, otherwise things can start going wrong – missed or poorly organised activities and missed deadlines. In keeping with our tradition over the years, we will focus on a positive and seamless transition to next administration in Q4 Quarter of the year.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind, and how do you envision the future of the Lagos Metropolitan Council?
We will leave behind a legacy of exceptional performance and great leadership in the many areas I have earlier enumerated in the course of this interview.
Are there any specific initiatives or projects that you aim to complete before the end of your tenure, and how will these contribute to the long-term goals of the organisation?
We will provide useful advice for our successor/executives on areas of interest and value added – for the advancement of KSM Lagos Metro. We do not intend to leave any outstanding uncompleted projects. A clean slate is always better.
