Abuja Grand President Urges Members to Take Military Training Seriously
The Grand President of the Abuja Grand Commandery of the Knights of St John International (KSJI), Brigadier General Francis Ulonna Njoku, has urged members of the Commandery to take the ongoing military training seriously, describing it as an important step towards repositioning the Noble Order and restoring its military tradition in line with the vision and ideals of its founding fathers.
The Grand President made the call through the 1st Vice President of the Abuja Grand Commandery, Col. Ejike Nweze, who represented him during the training programme.
Addressing members, Col. Nweze reminded them of their important role as members of a Catholic chivalric and para-military organisation, stressing that Knights of St John International have a responsibility to serve and defend the Church.
He urged members to see themselves as the “eyes of the Catholic Church” and to remain committed to the ideals of discipline, service, loyalty and sacrifice upon which the Order was founded.
According to him, the military tradition of KSJI is an integral part of the Order's identity and should not be treated merely as ceremonial activity.
He further explained that the sword carried by members as Knights is a symbol of their commitment and military heritage, noting that its use within the Order has the approval of the National Security Adviser.
“We must be fit to stand as an effective para-military order. We are the soldiers of the Church and the Bishop,” Col. Nweze stated.
Military Training to Hold for Four Fridays
The ongoing military training programme has been structured into four training sessions, to be held every Friday at 4:00 p.m. Members have therefore been encouraged to make adequate arrangements to attend all four sessions and participate actively in the drills and practical exercises.
The training is aimed at strengthening members' knowledge, discipline, physical preparedness, military bearing and understanding of the military traditions and responsibilities of the Order.
Military Tenets and the Character of a Knight
The facilitator of the programme, Col. A.K. Peters, in his presentation, explained the military tenets and character expected of members of the Knights of St John International.
He noted that the military tenets of the Order are not merely a reflection of what members were in the past, but also represent what they aspire to become as committed Knights.
Among the key military tenets he highlighted are Discipline, Loyalty, Obedience, Service, Sacrifice and Readiness, stressing that these values must be demonstrated both within the Order and in members' daily lives.
Col. Peters described the military dimension of KSJI as an outward expression of the inner commitment of every Knight to the values and mission of the Order.
“The military aspect of KSJI is an outward expression of inward commitment,” he said.
He further explained that the battlefield of a Knight extends beyond physical combat, noting that members must be prepared to confront social and moral challenges such as ignorance, moral decadence, indifference, poverty and religious intolerance, among others.
Commendation for the Grand President
Col. Peters also commended the Abuja Grand Commandery for the leadership of Brig. Gen. Francis Ulonna Njoku, describing the Grand President as a man of vision and dedication who is committed to promoting the ideals and traditions of the Noble Order.
He expressed optimism that the renewed commitment to training, discipline and membership development would yield significant results for the Commandery.
He concluded with an ambitious projection that, with sustained commitment and effective leadership, “maybe by the end of the year, the Abuja Grand Commandery may be the largest Grand Commandery in the world.”
Training to Strengthen Skills and Drills
Also speaking, the Grand Inspector, Col. Raymond Okolie, thanked members for their participation in the military training and encouraged them to remain committed throughout the four-session programme.
He explained that the initiative was designed to improve members' military skills, drills, discipline and overall preparedness as Knights.
Col. Okolie commended the Grand President for introducing the programme, describing it as a timely initiative that would contribute significantly to strengthening the military character and operational effectiveness of the Abuja Grand Commandery.
The leadership of the Abuja Grand Commandery has consequently called on all members to take advantage of the four-week training programme, attend the sessions regularly and approach the exercises with seriousness, discipline and dedication as the Commandery continues its efforts to strengthen the Noble Order and uphold the ideals of its founding fathers.
