Knights of Saint Mulumba, Nigeria, have kicked off their annual three-day conference in Awka, Anambra State, with a call to voters to elect those who would defend their religious faith in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

The theme for the 39th supreme convention is “Deepening Christian Spirituality for Peace: Trends, Prospects and Challenges”.

Addressing journalists in Awka, the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, Bro Diamond Ovueraye, said that the annual event is used to deliberate on members’ faith, the Order and the country.

He explained that in rekindling the fire of brotherhood, sisterhood, improving on spirituality and embracing discipline, the Knight Order can be rekindled.

The Supreme Knight revealed that efforts were underway for the canonisation of the founder of the brotherhood, Rev. Fr. Anselm Isidahome Ojefua.

He condemned the recent rape of late Miss Ochanya Ochanje in Benue State by one of their own saying that the brotherhood abhors rape, domestic violence, euthanasia, same-sex marriage.

His words: “We are firm of the belief that evil thrives when men and women of goodwill keep silent. We have made several publications, the latest of which is, ‘Justice for Miss Ochanya Ochanje’.

“We are a highly disciplined organisation and we demand the highest decorum from our members, as we guard our image jealously. This case is subjudice but we have in the interim, suspended our member pending the determination of the court case. We pray that justice prevails.”

Speaking on the state of the nation, he challenged Nigerians to seek out and vote those politicians who command the qualities best suited to unify and grow the economy, rather than further divide it.

He said that such will help heal the wounds of the nation as opposed to deepening its injuries and also secure a legacy of choices based on informed awareness rather than one of the reactions based on unknown fear for the next generation.

The Knights of Saint Mulumba urged the media not to forget their civic role of creating and shaping public opinion, as well as educating and strengthening the society to be alive to these ideals.

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