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When Ede of Okpekpe Kingdom in Edo State led Knights and Laux of St John International in Thanksgiving at Eket

Ede of Okpekpe Kingdom of Edo State, Engr (Sir) Donaldson and Lady (Dr.) Blessing Eshilama during the Thanksgiving Mass at St Fabian Police Catholic Chaplaincy, Eket.

By Dennis Udoma, Uyo

Knights and Laux of St John International, Uyo Grand Commandery on Sunday December 5, 2021 were led in Thanksgiving Mass at St Fabian Police Catholic Chaplaincy, Eket, Akwa Ibom State by the Ede of Okpekpe Kingdom in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, Engr. (Sir) Donaldson and Lady (Dr.) Blessing Eshilama.

The ceremony followed their 2nd and 3rd degrees exemplification in the holy Order earlier in the year.

The Thanksgiving Mass conducted by Rev. Fr. Effanga also featured their presentation to the Church by the Uyo Grand Commandery President of KSJI, Brigadier – General Samuel Umohandikan.

The homilist, Rev. Fr. Efanga who spoke on the contributions of the holy Order, charged Knights and Laux of St John International (KSJI), to live exemplary lives of their patron saint, John De Baptist for the growth of the Church and humanity.

He eulogised the Knights and Laux for their roles as defenders of Catholicism and urged other faithful to identify with the holy order in their evangelization.

The Grand President, Uyo Grand Commandery, Brigadier – General Umohandikan while presenting the Eshilamas to the Church, commended them for their steadfastness and support to the Church.

According to him, “Ede (Sir) Donaldson and Lady (Dr.) Blessing Eshilama are most committed to the growth of the Church and KSJI. Therefore, we celebrate them today for what God has done in their lives.

“As a family, we pray God to continue to strengthen them.

“To other members of the Church, I urge you to join the organization but, you must first of all attain the basic sacraments of the Church; baptism, holy Eucharist and matrimony, as well as be in good stead in the Church etc.”

Sir Umohandikan added that, Knights of St John International’s main objective as an international apostolate is the winning of more souls for Christ through evangelization.

He however, tasked the faithful and the prospective members to be committed to the preservation of the Church’s doctrines and souls winning for Christ in all their endeavours.

Meanwhile, the celebrants, Sir Eshilama and spouse, Dr. Blessing said, the Thanksgiving Mass was organised in recognition of God’s benevolence and faithfulness to their family and called upon the parishioners to support them in contributing to building the new auditorium.

They used the occasion to raise funds for the completion of the new church building.

Sir (Engr.) Donaldson Eshilama, is the Ede of Okpekpe kingdom in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Ede, is one of the two most recognised traditional rulership chieftaincy titles in Okpekpe Kingdom of Edo State, the throne he ascended since 2015.

Notwithstanding his kingship disposition, Ede (Engr) Sir Eshilama is a devout Catholic and serves God with all his strength.

He is a member of the holy Order of the Knights of St John International, Uyo Grand Commandery.

Currently, he serves KSJI as a Grand Assistant Secretary 2, Recording Corresponding Secretary (RCS) and 2nd Vice Commander, Commandery 537, Essene in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Besides, he is an Electrical/Electronics and Telecommunications Engineer by profession, who is currently pursuing his Doctoral Research programme in the University of Uyo.

Ede holds a Masters (M.Eng) degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Uyo, and Bachelors (B. Eng) in Electrical & Electronics from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State of Nigeria.

He is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigeria Computers Society (NCS), and Computers Professionals of Nigeria with over 25 years’ experience in the IT industry.

Ede (Engr) Sir Eshilama is happily married to Lady (Dr.) Blessing Eshilama and the marriage is blessed with five beautiful children.

The event was also attended by the Supreme Subordinate Secretary – Nigeria, Brigadier – General Cletus – Idongesit Ntong (SSS – N), Calabar Grand Respected President, Lady Grace Ibanga Worthy Presidents, RCS, DCs and Knights/Laux from Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket amongst others.

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