BENIN CITY – The Knights of St John International (KSJI), St. Francis Commandery, 717 has elected a new leadership to run the body for the next two years.
In the election, Sir Anthony Oshionebo emerged the new Worthy President and takes over the helm of affairs from the immediate past worthy President now Worthy President Emeritus, Sir Sylvester Egbase.
Two vice presidents also emerged. They are Sir Philip F. Umebese as first Vice President and Sir Francis Udukpegheme as second Vice President. Among other executive members elected included Sir Patrick Okoh as Recording and Corresponding Secretary, Felix Nwokedi (Treasurer), Sir John Okovido (Commander), Sir Raphael Akpalaba (1st Vice Commander), Sir Samuel Nwaka, 2nd Vice Commander and Sir Christopher Egbefo (Financial Secretary), among other elected members.
In his address during the handing over ceremony at the weekend, Sir Sylvester Egbase, Worthy President Emeritus said that he was grateful that the flock entrusted to him at the inauguration of the commandery in December 11, 2011 had remained intact, adding that none had departed to the great beyond while members had soared from twelve to thirty nine.
“In the past four years, we have been pre-occupied with establishing the commandery on a sound footing, setting up the necessary infrastructure, creating a true bond of fraternity among brothers and sisters. The ground rules for running the commandery in accordance with the KSJI constitution were also put in place. In my opinion, we have successfully achieved these goals”, he affirmed.
He however recalled that the commandery successfully hosted the Grand Board of Trustees Meeting (GBOT) in September 2014 while the ladies christened “Our Lady Queen of Angels LAUX 676 successfully took off after being chartered.
Sir Egbase who hailed the interpersonal relationship among Brothers and Sisters in the commandery disclosed that it has acquired a land to build its meeting hall at Evbotubu allocated by the Archbishop of Benin City Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Akubeze.
He however, urged members to imbibe basic disciplinary tenets of the order and to be active in the committees they belong to while also meeting their financial obligations promptly.
In his acceptance speech, the new Worthy President, Sir Anthony Oshionebo said he would operate an open door policy with his cardinal objectives hinged on improvement of members welfare, membership growth/spiritualism, pursuit of justice, discipline and rule of law and development of a befitting commandery meeting hall.
He commended the leadership prowess of his predecessor, Sir Egbase, for leaving behind indelible imprints and for setting a high standard in the commendary.
“I promise and assure that the fortunes of the commandery will remain in the upward swing. Be rest assured that my administration will not disappoint in making our commandery a model for others to emulate”, he stated.
