By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Order of the Knights of St Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria says it has committed more than N70 million to assist people plagued with various forms of situations in country.
The Supreme Knight of the Order, Sir Charles Mbelede who disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, said the KSM expended a cumulative sum of N65 million during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide palliative to those effected by the scourge.
Addressing a world press conference on the ongoing KSM 43rd Supreme convention taking place in Abuja, Dir Mbelede also disclosed that the Order donated N5 million to victims of the recent floods disaster which ravaged many parts of the country leading to loss of many lives and properties.
He also stated that the ladies of St Mulumba through its well thought out Think Thank programme have been building and donating bungalow to indigent widows in various parts of the country irrespective of the their religious persuasions.
The Supreme Knight said, “Gentlemen of the press, at this juncture, I consider it apposite to inform you that charity and selfless giving have from time immemorial been a pillar of Christianity, a virtue drawn from Christ himself, who paid the supreme sacrifice by dying to redeem the world.
“The Order from onset had etched Charity and option for the poor, needy and vulnerable as one of its prime thematic areas of concentration. Knights are encouraged to be charitable and strive at all times to empathize with those in want”.
Sir Mbelede said the KSM which was founded on June 14 1953, will be marking its 70th anniversary next year, adding that like a mustard seed, with 24,000 members, located in all corners of Nigeria and with Branches in Uganda and Cameroon it has grown into an institution.
“You will agree with me that 70 years in the life of any institution is worth celebrating. It is pertinent to commend the pioneering roles of the founding fathers and the industry of all my predecessors in office”, he added.
As part of the convention, the Supreme Knight and members of the Supreme Executive Board (SEB) as well as Abuja Metropolitan Council Officers of the Order, paid courtesy visits to the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop of Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He also also laid the foundation block of the proposed the Secretariat of the Abuja Metropolitan Council on Thursday.
