By Obi Uchendu (Religious Affairs/Society Reporter)
The Knights of St. John International (KSJI), an international sodality Order of the Roman Catholic Church, which has its headquarter in the United States of America (USA), has elected Prof Remy Uche as its new leader in Nigeria.
Sir Uche who is an acclaimed Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), will lead the organisation in Nigeria in the next four years ending December 31, 2025.
A statement on Saturday by the Chief of Staff to the Supreme Subordinate President Nigeria (SSPN) of the Knight of St. John International (KSJI), Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu, said Prof. Uche emerged the new President of the Order in Nigeria, the Supreme Subordinate Commandery Nigeria (SSCN), at a keenly contested but peaceful election at the 2021 Convention of the Supreme Subordinate Commandery.
In the event which was held at the Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu on November 26, 2021, Uche recorded an overwhelming victory with a total of 4,003 votes, as against that of his closest opponent who polled a total of 1,132 votes, while the second opponent scored a total of 569 votes.
Prof. Uche is currently the director of Public Procurement Research Centre of the University. Until his election, he was the Grand President of Owerri Grand Commandery of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI).
With his election, Prof. Uche now holds the rank of a major general and an automatic membership of the Supreme Board of the Order, the Supreme Commandery Board. He leads over 10,000 men and women who belong to the Order in Nigeria.
Others elected with him at the election were Sir (Brg. Gen.) Evarist Uba, 1st Vice Supreme Subordinate President; Sir (Brg. Gen.) Terence Onyejiaku, 2nd Vice Supreme Subordinate President; Sir Cletus Idonsiet-Nton (Brg. Gen.), Supreme Subordinate Secretary; Sir (Col.) Solomon Obeakaeme, Treasurer; Sir Steve Ekweleibe, 1st Trustee; and Sir Paul Onyenekwu, 2nd Trustee.
With his election Major General Uche became the 6th Supreme Subordinate Commandery Nigeria President of the Order. He succeeded Maj. Gen. Mike Ikon. Prof. Uche promises to run a transparent, all inclusive administration and to lead an exemplary quality leadership with lots of rebuilding, transformation and innovations for the good of the Order and its members in Nigeria.
The election was held under the transparent supervision of Bishop Michael Apochi of Oturkpo Catholic diocese of Benue State as the Chairman of the convention and returning officer for the election. He was dutifully assisted by two former spiritual directors of the Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Rev. Fr. Dr. Clement Obasi of the Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu and Rev. Fr. Charles Bassey.
The convention commenced with a Holy Mass, celebrated by Bishop Apochi, who later, in his opening speech at the convention, exhorted KSJI members in the country to display the spirit of love, kindness, tolerance, forgiveness and togetherness in their dealings with one another while leading exemplary lives to the entire world, just as Jesus Christ did.
The prelate called for a peaceful and reconciliatory convention at which he described as a turning point in the history of KSJI in the country. The Bishop blessed the new officers and enjoined them to pursue peace, true love, reconciliation and re-dedication in their leadership of the Order. NNL.
