The Catholic Order of The Knights of Saint Mulumba (KSM) has called on the federal government to apply caution on external borrowing so as to forestall the prospect of Nigeria sinking deeper into the debt trap as it was gradually reaching its limit in borrowing.
It noted that, with a debt over-hang of US$17.1 billion to the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) alone, Nigeria has become the third largest debtor to the World Bank’s IDA, and thereby cautions the government against further borrowing and ensuring that great care was taken to ensure the judicious utilization of the already obtained loans.
This advice came as one of the resolutions taken at the 45th edition of the Annual Supreme Council Convention of The Order of The Knights of Saint Mulumba Nigeria (KSM) which held at the International Conference Centre, Calabar, Cross River State from Wednesday, November 27 – Sunday, December 1, 2024. In a 15-point communiqué issued at the end of the convention signed by the Supreme Knight; Sir (Dr) Charles Mbelede, KSM among other things noted several challenges affecting the country currently and offered suggestions on the way out.
On Sex Education, the Christian body noted what it described as “the insidious and surreptitious introduction of sex education to students in some of the nation’s secondary schools which remains not only condemnable but should be stopped forthwith. Every Nigerian who cares about the well being of the future generation is enjoined to raise a voice against this clandestine move to pollute the moral fabric of our society,” it advised.
The KSM also noted government’s deliberate effort to contain Multiple Taxation and commends the vision behind the introduction of the Tax Reform Bills by the federal government. It however, cautioned that “as the most consequential reforms in revenue generation in Nigeria in recent times, the federal government is urged to consult widely with a view to getting the concurrence of all the critical stakeholders especially dissenting states and ensuring the acceptance of the tax reform bills by Nigerians.”
The Order called for greater efforts by the government to curb inflation and contain high cost of living especially the high cost of food items and medicines. “Similarly, the floatation of the Naira and its evident depreciation as well as the attendant volatility in the foreign exchange market should be better managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria in the overall interest of the nation’s economy”, it advised.
On quick dispensation of Justice, KSM called for significant adoption of technology to enhance and quicken the judicial process emphasizing that “justice delayed is justice denied.” It deplored the continuous acts of omission and commission by some states and federal high court judges that lead to conflicting judgments and some decisions that appear to turn justice on its head. The KSM has therefore urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to keep faith with her inaugural day promise to restore the judiciary to its golden era of unimpeachable integrity and sound judgments.
The Order noted the dismal state of facilities in the nation’s Correction Centers(Prisons).The cells according to it, “are over-crowded with almost more than 70 percent of inmates Awaiting Trials. We urge the Federal Government to commence urgent radical reforms, which should include the building of more modern prisons and the training and retraining of prisons staff.” This is even as KSM has promised to stand with the Government at both the national and sub-national levels in the continued fight against oil theft, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, illegal mining and other sundry violent crimes.
It applauded the resilience and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the discharge of their onerous duties. “Nonetheless, the KSM still urges the security agencies to curb the careless loss of lives across the nation and rescue Leah Sharibu, the remainder of the Chibok Girls, and every other victim of organised crime.”
The Convention has also urged the government to take far-reaching steps to boost food sufficiency by the popularization of mechanized farming, granting of loans to genuine farmers and giving incentives that will aid massive food production adding that “adequate security should be provided to ensure that farmers are protected and not dissuaded from going to the farms. Ample storage facilities including silos should also be provided for food strategic reserve.”
The KSM further commended the opening and operation of Dangote Refinery whose petroleum products distribution will hopefully reduce the hardship occasioned by intermittent fuel scarcity, long queues at petrol stations, high cost of transportation and standard of living. It urged that concerted efforts should be directed at ensuring that the use of the more economical Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) becomes more widespread and beneficial to the masses just as the body appreciated the resuscitation of the Port Hacourt Refinery and called for the quick resuscitation of both the Kaduna and Warri refineries.
After Mass: WSK Sir Dr. Charles Mbelede (4th L), WSChaplain Rev. Fr. Dr. Paschal-Paul Okeke (6th L), some priests who celebrated Mass and the Obong of Calabar and Treaty King of the Efik Kingdom, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V and his Sister Victoria (2nd and 3rd L in KSM National Mufti).
On electoral reform, the Convention aligned itself with strident calls for extensive electoral reforms. In the mean-time, it has advised electoral umpires, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INE) and the different States Independent Electoral Commission to collectively and individually make the conduct of credible election at all levels of governance, institutions and administration the minimum reducible decimal that are acceptable to Nigerians.
The KSM has also implored the government to ensure the unconditional release of those currently in detention for partaking in the ENDSARS protests and ENDBAD Governance demonstration as a veritable way of healing the wounds of our very recent past just as it has enjoined Nigerians to continue to pray for their leaders while equally imploring the leaders to be equitable in strategic appointments to high political offices. “Leaders are also expected to be adept in the equitable distribution of major infrastructure like roads, railways, schools, hospitals and the rehabilitation of decrepit amenities in every nook and cranny of Nigeria.”
In view of the global challenges confronting families such as domestic violence, moral decadence, diminishing income, rebellious youthful activities, peer pressure, depression etc; the Order has recommended strongly that there should be stronger focus on pre-marital instructions for cohesion and harmony. “The reintroduction of Moral Instruction in schools, Family Prayer and Religious tolerance should be practicalised,” it advised.
WSS Sir Dan Egwu, WSA Sir Steve Adehi, WSC Sir Isaac Nwachukwu and WST Sir Patrick Ekwenta at the Opening Mass.
The five-day Convention with The theme as: “Deepening Christian Spirituality& Family Values- Roles And Challenges” also witnessed courtesy visits by the Supreme Executive Board led by the Supreme Knight, Sir Charles Mbelede. Those visited included the Host Archbishop, His Grace Most Rev. (Dr). Joseph Ekuwem, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Calabar, the Obong of Calabar; Treaty King & Grand Patriarch of Efik Eburutu Kingdom, His Eminence Edidem Emmanuel Ekpo Abasi Otu V, KSM, and the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.
The Convention was declared open on Friday, 29thNovember, 2024 after a Concelebrated Episcopal High Mass by Worthy Metropolitan Chaplain, Very Rev. Evaristus Bassey and Rev. Fr. Dr. Paschal-Paul Okeke, Supreme Chaplain of KSM. It had in attendance all the statutory delegates comprising members of the Supreme Executive Board, The Metro Council delegates and the Grand Knights of all the two hundred and ninety six (296) subordinate councils.
The Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu declared the Convention open while the Keynote Speaker on the theme of the Convention “Deepening Christian Spirituality& Family Values- Roles And Challenges” was a notable scholar and Catholic Priest Very Rev. Fr. (Dr.) –Donatus Udoette. The discussants were Rt. (Hon.) Chevalier Senator Victor Ndoma–Egba, (SAN),KSS, Sir (Prof.) Zana Akpagu, KSM and Sir Henry Bello SAN, KSM.
