BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU, KSM
The final burial of Lady Bernadette Chinwendu Njemanze, wife of the Owerri Metropolitan Grand Knight of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM), Sir Eva Njemanze, took place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Owerri. The solemn event, themed “New Life for a Saint,” began with a Requiem Mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Douglas Road, attracting dignitaries from across the country.
The burial ceremony also brought together the Supreme Council of the Knights of St. Mulumba, the apex ruling body of the Order, led by its Worthy Supreme Knight, Sir (Dr) Charles Mbelede, who was recently elected Deputy International President of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights (IACK). Beyond paying their last respects, the Council seized the opportunity to comment on critical national issues, including the economy, governance, and the role of culture in faith.
In his remarks, Sir Mbelede commended the late Lady Bernadette for her life of service, faith, and commitment to God’s work. “She was a woman who fought the good fight, finished the race, and devoted her time, treasure, and talent to God’s service,” he said. “The large turnout at her burial reflects the impact she made. We pray that God receives her soul in His bosom.”
On the state of Nigeria’s economy, Sir Mbelede expressed concern over what he described as “a near collapse.” He noted that the Order has been active in advocacy for professionalism, good governance, and national stability. “Nigeria is in a situation of mere collapse,” he said. “We are not happy with the current state of things, but we are confident that with faith in Christ, the nation will recover.”
Speaking on membership development within the Order, the Worthy Supreme Secretary, Sir Daniel Egwu, emphasized the need for quality recruitment. He explained that while the Order has grown from 23 founding members in 1953 to over 24,000 today, it remains focused on maintaining integrity and purpose. “We are not saints but aspiring saints,” he said. “The KSM seeks men who are active in their parishes, committed to the Catholic faith, and willing to serve with their time, talent, and treasure.”
Sir Egwu also dismissed suggestions that the KSM operates like a secret society. “The Order was founded to counter secret societies, not to become one,” he explained. “Anyone who joins and believes otherwise is free to leave. Such accusations are part of the persecution we face, just as Jesus was falsely accused.”
On national governance, the Worthy Supreme Advocate, Sir Steve Adehi (SAN), criticized the recent state pardon granted by President Bola Tinubu to certain political figures. While acknowledging the President’s constitutional powers, he argued that the pardon process should be more equitable. “It is wrong to use presidential pardon as a political tool,” he said. “Many poor Nigerians who deserve such leniency are left behind, while the powerful are rewarded for wrongdoing. The President must exercise this power responsibly.”
Sir Adehi, who also serves as the National President of Papal Knights of Nigeria, stressed the importance of access to justice. “Justice is not expensive,” he said. “Many lawyers and the Nigerian Bar Association offer pro bono services to ensure justice is accessible to the poor. My priority, if I were Minister of Justice, would be to strengthen these mechanisms.”
Addressing the integration of faith and culture, HRH Sir (Dr) George Eze, Igwe Ezennia of Umuokara Orba in Enugu State, and a member of the KSM Supreme Executive Council, underscored the need to harmonize traditional values with Christian teachings. “Culture cannot be totally eradicated,” he said. “Our goal is to retain what is good and eliminate idolatry. Christianity should guide how we live out our culture.”
He added that Christians can embrace traditional leadership without compromising their faith. “The Church teaches one man, one wife. That is the Christian way. As Christians and Knights, we are called to uphold cultural dignity without deviating from the Gospel.”
HRH Sir (Dr.) George also recalled his coronation as Eze of his community, adding that it showcased an opportunity for blend of culture and Christianity. “I recall when I was coronated as Eze of my community, it was not contested, the community chose me and the Bishop of my diocese was physically present, there were also Priests, Knights and Ladies and the peaceful manner we had this celebration clearly shows that tradition and Christianity can come together while we remain focused on what the Church teaches” he concluded.
Though a solemn occasion, the burial of Lady Njemanze became a platform for the Knights of St. Mulumba to reaffirm their commitment to moral leadership, national unity, and faith-driven advocacy. Their presence and statements reflected the Order’s ongoing role as a moral compass in society.
