By Tony Onyima, Ph.D.
The Supreme Knight of the Knights of Saint Mulumba (KSM), Sir Steve Adehi, has urged members of the Order to remain patient and supportive as ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the organisation unfold. Adehi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, appealed while outlining his vision and priorities for the Order following his election at the 46th Supreme Convention held last December in Kaduna, where he emerged with overwhelming support from members.
He acknowledged that expectations are high but emphasised that meaningful transformation requires time, sacrifice, and collective effort. “I know a lot of people have high expectations,” Adehi said. “But these reforms are not easy. I urge members to be patient and support us as we work to turn the Order around positively.”
Since assuming office, Adehi has introduced a series of structural and strategic reforms to strengthen the Order’s financial, administrative, and spiritual foundations. One of the key initiatives is the proposed establishment of an endowment fund to ensure financial sustainability. Unlike previous administrations that relied heavily on fundraising, Adehi said the new approach would allow the Order to use investment returns to fund its operations. “We want to build a system that will outlive us,” he explained. “A structure that ensures future leaders will not struggle financially to run the Order.”
In addition, several specialised committees have been established to address critical areas, including security, media engagement, investment management, and information technology. Adehi noted that the security committee, composed of experienced members, has already submitted an interim report to the Catholic Bishops, outlining strategies to protect churches and parish communities amid rising insecurity. He also highlighted the role of a newly established media team tasked with responding swiftly to public issues affecting the Church and correcting misinformation. “Some people derive joy in attacking the Church,” he said. “We now have a team that ensures our voice is heard promptly and clearly.”
Beyond structural reforms, Adehi is placing strong emphasis on restoring the Order’s spiritual core. He expressed concern that some members have shifted focus toward social activities at the expense of spiritual growth. “It is not enough to have short meetings and then spend hours on entertainment,” he said. “We must return to our roots.” To this end, he has directed leaders at various levels to increase time allocated to prayer, formation, and spiritual development during meetings. “Every member should be able to pray confidently and understand the Church better,” he added.
Adehi also identified membership renewal as a priority, noting that the Order currently has an ageing population. He has issued directives to recruit younger members to bring fresh energy and ensure continuity. “If we don’t bring in young people, we risk becoming irrelevant,” he warned. Efforts are also underway to restructure the Youths of Saint Mulumba (YSM), which he described as underperforming due to structural challenges. Plans include repositioning the youth wing within parishes and Catholic institutions to make it more active and sustainable.
Despite the scope of these reforms, Adehi acknowledged that the process has placed significant demands on both leadership and members. “I am already overstretching myself,” he admitted. “But I believe in what we are doing, and I expect members to make similar sacrifices.” He stressed that success will depend largely on cooperation, unity, and shared commitment across all levels of the Order, including collaboration with the Ladies of Saint Mulumba (LSM). “There is no competition,” he said. “We are one family, working together in service to God and humanity.”
Adehi also reiterated the importance of transparency and openness in addressing misconceptions about the Order, noting that reforms have already made processes such as admissions more visible to the public. Looking ahead, he expressed confidence that the ongoing changes will restore the Order’s vitality and relevance, but only if members remain steadfast. “We are on a mission,” he said. “And with patience, cooperation, and faith, we will achieve the transformation we seek.”He concluded with a call for continued support and prayers from members, emphasising that the journey toward renewal is a collective responsibility.
