Rev. Fr. Matthew Maleek, Parish Priest of St. John Paul II, Kubwa, has urged members of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and the Ladies Auxiliary to deepen their commitment to faith, unity and service. He made the appeal during a joint thanksgiving Mass in Abuja following the group's convention and leadership elections held on December 6, 2025. Brig.-Gen. Francis Njoku was elected Grand President of the Abuja Grand Commandery, while Noble Sister Amaka Umeokeke emerged as Grand Respected President of the Ladies Auxiliary. Maleek emphasized that faith must be active, not passive, stating, "Faith is not passive; it demands visible commitment." He challenged members to reflect on their roles in the Church, urging responsible action without waiting for instructions. Christians, he said, are pillars of the Body of Christ and must strengthen communal bonds and pray for national development. He called on the new leaders to govern with humility, service and accountability. Maj.-Gen. Joachim Amamgbo praised the peaceful transition of leadership, stressing the need for continued direction, discipline and stability within the Order. Lady Nonye Okafor highlighted unity and sacrifice as foundational to the group's strength. Njoku described the election as a moment of gratitude, saying, "When God leads, His people find peace," and pledged to reposition the Abuja Commandery as a model of discipline, unity and excellence. He reaffirmed dedication to spirituality, charity and service, urging members to let their lives "preach louder than our words." Umeokeke called the event a spiritual milestone, stating, "We gather as grateful servants, acknowledging God's faithfulness and committing to serve Him." She described service as a sacred calling and urged sustained dedication to charity and unity. Rev. Fr. Gabriel Edache urged ongoing spiritual growth and faithful service to the Church's mission. Mr. Honore Hounkpatin congratulated the new leaders and commended their commitment to unity and progress.
The call for visible commitment in faith rings hollow when leadership roles in religious groups are filled through internal elections with no public criteria or transparency. If service is to preach louder than words, then the process of selecting those who lead must also be open to scrutiny. A private election on December 6, 2025, cannot substitute for accountability in a public moral mission.
💡 NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
