Ex-Shell manager, Ovueraye elected knight, head of KSM new executive

Mr Diamond Ovueraye, a former senior manager of oil giant — Shell — has been elected as the Supreme Knight and Head of the new executive of the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, Nigeria (KSM).

Ovueraye, who was elected unopposed, will head the new supreme board of 12 members for four years.

The election took place at a special KSM Supreme Convention held at the Madonna Retreat Centre, Nkpor, near Onitsha.

In his acceptance speech, Ovueraye, commended the amity that prevailed during and after the conduct of the election.

He urged the newly elected officers to dedicate themselves to the enabling canons of the Order and pledged to provide purposeful leadership at all times.

He said the board would pursue and ensure increased spirituality of members, positive impact and growth of membership and sub-councils.

“We will pursue advocacy, deepening relationship with all organisations in the church, streamlining and fine-tuning of administrative channels, rekindling of true brotherhood, internal charity and maintaining discipline,” he said.

According to Ovueraye, as knights they must all strive to be change agents in the various families, offices, businesses, communities and the church.

“ This way, our light will dispel the pervading darkness and then we can really be said to be good soldiers of Christ.”

Earlier, the Rev. Fr. Francis Nwaiwu, the Supreme Chaplain, urged the delegates to ensure that the interest of the Order was paramount by electing a very competent Supreme Executive board to run its affairs.

He also told the delegates to eschew base consideration in their choice of candidates and admonished those to be elected to be exemplary.

Mr Dan Ugwu, one of the newly elected officers, said: “ Knights must live a sacrificial life of service and endeavour to be exemplary, bearing in mind that the measure we give is the measure that will be given to us.”