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Communique of the Uyo Supreme Council Convention, 2006
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27TH SUPREME COUNCIL CONVENTION
“UYO 2006”.
COMMUNIQUE
The Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria held its 27th Annual Supreme Council Convention from 30th November 2006 to 3rd December 2006 at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Goodwill messages were received from His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Ukpo, Archbishop of Calabar, their Lordships, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Ekuwem, Bishop of Uyo, Most Rev. Dr. Alexis Makozi, Bishop of Port Harcourt and Most Rev. Dr. Camillus A. Etukudoh, Bishop of Ikot Ekpene.
After an exhaustive discussion of the theme of the Convention “Truth and Justice: Imperatives for Peace in Nigeria”, it was resolved as follows:
1. That since justice means fairness, justness and the use of authority to maintain orderliness and what is just, it behoves everyone, especially in position of trust and authority to maintain and stand in support of the truth at all times.
2. The Convention observed that those who caused chaos in electioneering and governance and who were never punished are at it again. Men of true integrity and justice should resist all forms of manipulations by the group of criminally unjust Nigerians, for true peace to reign.
3. That without standing for truth and justice in governance, true peace in our body polity can never be achieved.
4. That the judiciary, as the last hope of the citizenry, should stand for truth, justice and fairness in the dispensation of justice; not minding whose ox is gored. The Police Force should rise to the challenge of performing its duties and resist the temptation to collect illegal levies and being used by politicians as agents of oppression. Consequently, the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria saw the need to intensify efforts to sustain the development of our policy of police apostolate. Thus, through proper liaison and counseling, the Police may serve the populace in truth, with fairness and justice.
5. The Convention deliberated and:
i. Condemns in its entirely, the mindless killings of innocent citizens by religious groups without provocation. We urge the government to muster political courage to deal with the perpetrators of such mindless killings and destruction of property as witnessed recently in Maiduguri.
ii. Condemns the rape of democracy in Ekiti, Oyo, Anambra and Plateau States of the Federation by unconstitutional and unwarranted impeachments, and strongly frowns at the use of the security forces as agents of political settlements. This has not only deprived the nation of valuable international investments and tourism, it has further battered our international image.
iii. Humbly and respectfully request the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to declare country-wide programmed series of fasts, prayers and spiritual exercises that would be sustained till the elections in 2007 are held: asking God to heal our nation, remove the God-less pretenders and to restore good governance to His people.
iv. Encourages all good Christians to get fully involved in politics so as to inject true Christian values of justice, equity, fairness, peace and the fear of God into our politics.
6. The Order of Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria will host the International Alliance of Catholic Knights (IACK), which is a renowned organization of many eminent people from all over the world during the year 2007. We assure all members of the Alliance that the Nigerian community is not as unsafe as perceived.
7. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should rise up to its constitutional responsibilities in the honest and effective registration of the electorate and in the voting proper.
We appreciate the fatherly role of our host Bishop, Most Rev. (Dr.) J. E. Ekuwem, who officially declared open our Convention and offered immeasurable assistance to all our efforts.
Dr. F. R. C. Ezemenari
Supreme Knight
The Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria
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